A Georgia family is taking their fight for justice to the U.S. Supreme Court after the FBI mistakenly raided their Southwest Atlanta home in 2017.
The incident, which unfolded with flashbang grenades and armed agents storming their residence, left Katrina Martin and her young son Gabriel Watson traumatized and battling for accountability years later.
Despite a federal law, the Federal Tort Claims Act, designed to provide financial relief for victims of wrongful government actions, the family says they have yet to receive compensation for the emotional and physical damage caused by the raid.
A Terrifying Case of Mistaken Identity
The early-morning raid unfolded when Gabriel, then 8 years old, and his mother were startled awake by the sound of what Katrina described as “a cannon.” Thinking they were being robbed, Katrina’s boyfriend reached for a firearm, only to find themselves surrounded by armed FBI agents.
“I see about four weapons,” Katrina recalled in an interview with WSB-TV. “This wasn’t a robbery. It was the FBI.”
The agents soon realized they had targeted the wrong house. Their intended target was a similar-looking property located just down the street. After apologizing and leaving a business card, the FBI moved on, leaving the family to pick up the pieces.
Years of Trauma and Unanswered Calls for Justice
The aftermath of the raid has been devastating for the family. Gabriel, now a teenager and standout athlete, and Katrina continue to receive intensive therapy for the emotional scars.
“I was terrified. I thought we were going to die,” Katrina said, holding back tears. “It chokes me up that I couldn’t protect my child.”
The FBI has yet to compensate the family for the raid, citing its policy of not commenting on pending litigation or tracking the frequency of such mistakes.
Legal Battle and Supreme Court Appeal
Represented by attorney Dylan Moore, the family filed a lawsuit under the Federal Tort Claims Act, but the case was dismissed by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The law allows citizens to seek damages for wrongful actions by federal agencies, but navigating its limitations has proven challenging.
Moore argues that the burden of such mistakes should not fall on innocent families. With bipartisan support from members of Congress, the family is now urging the Supreme Court to take up their case.
A Nationwide Problem
Wrong-house raids are not uncommon, with alarming consequences for those caught in the crossfire of such errors. Advocates stress the need for stronger oversight and accountability to prevent similar incidents.
For Gabriel and Katrina, the fight for justice is about more than compensation—it’s about ensuring no other family has to endure the same trauma.
“This could happen to anyone,” Katrina warned.
