OKLAHOMA CITY – Lich Vu, the elderly man seen on body camera video being thrown to the ground by an Oklahoma City police officer during a traffic stop last October, has died, according to reports from multiple news outlets and community leaders. He was 73.
Vu died in his sleep at his Oklahoma City home, confirmed Thuan Nguyen, president of the Vietnamese American heritage Community of Oklahoma. In the days prior to his death, Vu reportedly expressed forgiveness toward the officer involved and a readiness to accept God’s will, Nguyen said.
The incident occurred Oct. 27 following a minor vehicle collision. Body camera footage released by police shows Vu arguing with Officer Jonathan Gibson over a traffic ticket for an improper U-turn. Vu declined to sign the ticket and exited his vehicle, at which point the officer warned him he woudl be arrested.
“I’m ready to go to jail,” Vu responded, according to the video. The argument escalated, with Vu telling the officer, ”You shut up.” The lawsuit filed by Vu and his wife alleged that Vu then lightly tapped Gibson on the outside of his bulletproof vest with the back of his hand and gestured for him to be quiet.
The video shows Gibson subsequently taking vu to the ground and handcuffing him.
Vu sustained severe injuries, including a traumatic brain bleed, a skull fracture, facial fractures, and a broken neck, requiring weeks of hospitalization and rehabilitation, according to his attorney.
Vu and his wife initially sued Gibson, the city of Oklahoma City, and Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond in April, alleging excessive force. The lawsuit against Drummond was later dropped in June. The city, in an August court filing, maintained the officer’s actions were constitutional and consistent with departmental policies.
The timing of the incident occurred less than a month before Drummond, a Republican, announced his candidacy for governor and received the endorsement of the oklahoma Fraternal Order of Police.
Vu’s daughter, Teresa Vu, shared a statement on social media following his death: “I no he is not suffering anymore. He lived a rough life and tried to fight through until the very end.”
Vu had been returning home from church at the time of the traffic stop, Nguyen said.