San Diego mulls $30 million settlement in police shooting of Black teen

The San Diego city attorneys office has proposed a $30 million settlement for the family of 16-year-old Konoa Wilson, who was shot and killed by police in January. If approved, this would rank among the largest payouts in a police-related death case in the United States.

The city council has added a resolution to authorize the settlement to its agenda for Tuesday morning consideration. According to the familys lawyer, Nick Rowley, Konoas death represents a devastating failure in policing. He was fleeing, posed no threat, and yet was shot in the back by an officer who saw him for just a moment before firing.

This proposed settlement surpasses the $27 million Minneapolis paid to George Floyds family after his 2020 killing, which sparked nationwide protests and calls for racial justice.

Evidence from surveillance and body camera footage shows Wilson running away from an individual who had pulled a gun and fired at him inside a downtown train station on January 28. As Wilson exited the station, he encountered San Diego Police Officer Daniel Gold.

In a lawsuit filed in June, Wilsons family claims that Gold immediately fired two shots without warning at Wilson, striking his upper body. The suit further states that the officer only identified himself as law enforcement after Wilson had already fallen. The familys complaint asserts that the shooting constituted a racially motivated act of violence against the teenager as he attempted to reach safety.

Wilson was declared dead at UC San Diego Health Medical Center within an hour of the shooting. According to a city agenda posting, the settlement would be covered by the Public Liability Fund.

Author: Riley Thompson