⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

The Ninth Circuit considers qualified immunity after four Anchorage police officers fatally shot Kristopher Handy. Responding to a domestic-disturbance call, officers ordered Handy outside with his hands up and repeatedly told him to drop a shotgun. He came out carrying it and walked toward them; the complaint and incorporated video say the barrel remained pointed down when they fired. Qualified immunity asks whether the alleged facts show unconstitutional force and whether existing precedent clearly warned the officers. A court may decide either question first. On a motion to dismiss, well-pleaded allegations generally receive the benefit of disputed inferences. Through incorporation by reference, a court may also consider recordings on which the complaint necessarily relies, but not use them to resolve factual disputes unless they conclusively contradict the complaint. The district court let the excessive-force claim proceed; the officers appeal.

Handy, et al. v. Jones, et al. (No. 25-5105) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, argued August 10, 2026.