From [HERE] Lawyers for the family of a Theodore man who died during a confrontation with police last year have amended a wrongful-death lawsuit, naming the officers for the first time.

The family of Jawan “Jay” Dallas filed the federal lawsuit in December against the city of Mobile, alleging that police officers responding to a burglary call in July 2023 used excessive force. The civil complaint identified the two officers only as John Doe 1 and John Doe 2, and the Police Department has declined to name them.

At the time, attorneys for the Dallas family told reporters at a news conference that they had a good idea who the officers were but that the city had blacked out the names in material given to the lawyers.

“It’s inevitable that we’re gonna get the names, either tomorrow or next week,” attorney Harry Daniels said. “The names are coming. But this city has maintained their secrecy of not releasing the names of the officers. We know the names of the officers. But out of an abundance of caution, we want to make sure that they give it to us.”

The amended lawsuit seeks the same damages as the original one, $36 million – $1 million for each year of Dallas’ life. The new complaint names Officers Jarred Hutto and Christian Davilla as defendants. A grand jury last year cleared them of wrongdoing in the incident. But the lawsuit alleges that their actions caused his death.

“This amendment was made in keeping with our commitment to transparency and we firmly believe the lawsuit speaks for itself as we continue the fight for justice on behalf of Jawan Dallas’ family and his memory,” the lawyers said in a statement.

A Mobile police spokesman confirmed Hutto and Davilla remain on the force but added that the Police Department does not comment on pending litigation. However, the city has denied wrongdoing in court filings.

The lawsuit alleges that Hutto and Davilla questioned Dallas and a white man at Plantation Mobile Home Park about the burglary report despite the fact that they did not fit the description provided by a 911 caller.

The officers then unlawfully demanded to see Dallas’ identification, according to the allegations.

The civil complaint alleges that Davilla tackled Dallas after he began to run away. Both officers struck Dallas several times as he pleaded for them to stop, the suit alleges.

“Unbeknownst to Defendant Hutto and Defendant Davilla, their entire interaction with Jawan was observed by a female eyewitness who had a clear vantage point of the entire incident,” the suit states. “According to that eyewitness, Jawan Dallas was tased several times without any resistance to Defendant Hutto and Defendant Davilla.”

The lawsuit, quoting police body camera footage, contends that Dallas begged for help.

“I can’t breathe. … I don’t want to be George Floyd,” he said, according to the complaint.

According to the suit, no one from law enforcement or the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office ever spoke to the eyewitness.

The civil case is set for trial in April 2026. It was not immediately clear if the amended complaint would alter that schedule.