A significant settlement is anticipated in California, involving the family of a 16-year-old boy who died following a police shooting. The city of San Diego has reportedly agreed to a $30 million settlement with the family of Konoa Wilson, who was fatally shot on January 28th by a police officer while fleeing from a separate shooting incident.
The family’s legal representatives filed a wrongful death lawsuit in June, alleging that San Diego Police Department (SDPD) officer Daniel Gold engaged in “racial violence” against the Black teenager. The lawsuit stated that the officer shot Wilson in the back as he ran past, seeking safety.
The proposed settlement amount exceeds the $27 million civil settlement awarded to the family of George Floyd, whose death in 2020, caused by a police officer kneeling on his neck, sparked widespread protests against police brutality.
The San Diego City Council is scheduled to discuss the proposed resolution on the morning of December 9th. According to reports, the city council intends to use the Public Liability Fund to pay $25 million to Wilson’s family. The remaining $5 million will be provided directly by the city of San Diego.
“What happened to Konoa was a catastrophic failure of policing,” stated Nick Rowley, the family’s attorney, in a statement to the Associated Press. “A 16-year-old boy was running for his life. He was not a threat and not a suspect, yet he was shot in the back by a police officer who only saw him for one second before deciding to pull the trigger.”
Details of the Incident:
On the evening of January 28th, Wilson was present at the Santa Fe station when another teenager approached him and began shooting. Wilson managed to escape the shooter and ran in the direction of Officer Gold.
Body camera footage from Officer Gold shows Wilson emerging from the train station at close range just before Gold discharged his weapon. Wilson sustained two gunshot wounds to his upper body. The footage also indicates that the officer identified himself as a police officer only after he had already started shooting.
Wilson was pronounced dead at UC San Diego Health Medical Center approximately 35 minutes later.
The Aftermath and Investigation:
Following the shooting, officers discovered a handgun on Wilson during attempts to provide life-saving medical aid. Critically, he was not holding or brandishing the weapon at the time he was shot.
According to Rowley, Wilson carried a gun due to previous incidents where he had been assaulted and hospitalised by other individuals. “The reason why he had a gun is that he is half Black and there were kids, some new gangster kids in San Diego, who had jumped him a few times and hurt him so bad he was in a hospital,” Rowley explained to the New York Times. “He was afraid.”
Officer Gold was placed on administrative duty while the city attorney conducted a review of the case, as confirmed by Chris Tivanian, a spokesperson for the SDPD.
This case raises several key questions:
- The Use of Force: What protocols and guidelines govern the use of deadly force by police officers, particularly in situations involving fleeing suspects?
- Racial Bias: Does the incident highlight potential issues of racial bias in policing? How can law enforcement agencies address and mitigate such biases?
- Community Relations: How does this incident impact the relationship between the police department and the community it serves? What steps can be taken to rebuild trust and foster positive relationships?
- Training and Accountability: What kind of training do officers receive regarding de-escalation techniques and the appropriate use of force? What mechanisms are in place to ensure accountability for police misconduct?
- Legal Precedents: How might this settlement influence future cases involving police shootings and allegations of wrongful death?
This tragic incident underscores the need for ongoing dialogue and reform within law enforcement to ensure accountability, transparency, and the protection of all individuals. The outcome of the City Council’s discussion on December 9th will be closely watched by the community and legal observers alike.