WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously revived a civil rights lawsuit involving a fatal police shooting during a 2016 traffic stop in Houston, Texas. The justices ordered the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans to reexamine the case using a broader legal standard.

The case involves Ashtian Barnes, who was shot and killed by Officer Roberto Felix Jr. during a traffic stop on the Sam Houston Tollway. Barnes had been pulled over in his rental car because the vehicle’s license plate was flagged for unpaid tolls. According to court records, the car had been rented by Barnes’ girlfriend, and he was unaware of the toll violations.

Shooting Under Scrutiny

Officer Felix claimed he fired in self-defense, stating that he jumped onto the driver’s side door sill as Barnes began to pull away and shot twice within two seconds, fearing for his life. In earlier rulings, lower courts dismissed the excessive force lawsuit brought by Barnes’ mother, Janice Hughes, focusing solely on the immediacy of the threat at the time of the shooting.

However, the Supreme Court disagreed with this narrow view.

Broader Legal Standard Reaffirmed

Writing for the Court, Justice Elena Kagan emphasized that courts must evaluate such cases by considering the “totality of the circumstances” leading up to the use of force—not just the exact moment it occurred. This standard, reaffirmed in Thursday’s ruling, is more favorable to plaintiffs pursuing civil rights claims against law enforcement.

The case now returns to the 5th Circuit, which must reconsider Hughes’ lawsuit under this broader standard.

Background of the Incident

Barnes had reportedly been on his way to pick up his girlfriend’s daughter from day care when he was pulled over. The officer had received a radio alert linking the car’s license plate to outstanding toll violations.

Barnes’ family maintains he was unaware of the unpaid tolls, and the confrontation escalated unnecessarily.

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