Family of Black man killed by WA deputy settles for $3.5M

Family of Black man killed by WA deputy settles for $3.5M

Introduction

Family members of a Black motorist fatally shot by a deputy in southwestern Washington state have reached a $3.5 million settlement in their wrongful death lawsuit.

The payment was agreed upon by the Clark County Council in relation to the 2021 shooting death of a 30-year-old Battle Ground resident.

Details of the Fatal Shooting Incident

The victim died on February 12, 2021, eight days after being shot in the head by a deputy from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office during a traffic stop. Deputies had pulled over the victim’s car over what they described as a faulty rear light after receiving reports of suspicious driving in a neighborhood.

Lawsuit and Allegations

In 2022, the victim’s family filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, alleging wrongful death, assault and battery, negligence, and violation of civil rights. The trial was scheduled to begin June 9. The family’s attorneys argued the traffic stop was unlawful, citing a 1999 Washington Supreme Court ruling that prohibits using traffic stops as a pretext for investigating suspected criminal activity.

Circumstances Leading to the Shooting

According to the family’s lawyers, the victim was initially cooperative. The situation escalated after another deputy reported seeing a sharp object inside the vehicle, later identified as a screwdriver. An outside investigation found that during the struggle to remove the victim from the car, one deputy fired two shots when the victim refused to release him as the vehicle lurched forward. One bullet struck the victim, resulting in his death.

Victim’s Background and Community Impact

The victim was on the autism spectrum and prone to withdrawal in stressful situations, according to his lawyers. This shooting was the second involving a Black man killed by deputies in Clark County within four months.

Related Incident and Prior Settlement

On October 29, 2020, a separate shooting occurred during a law enforcement drug sting, where deputies fired at a 21-year-old Black man who ran away carrying a gun. That victim’s family also sued Clark County and later received a $1.25 million settlement. Prosecutors ruled both shootings justified after investigations.

Reactions to the Settlement

The family’s attorneys described the settlement as providing accountability and closure, emphasizing that officers who use unnecessary lethal force must be held responsible. Meanwhile, a county spokesperson stated that Clark County denies liability in the incident. Prosecutors from outside the county reviewed the shooting and found it justified in protecting deputies.