SAN DIEGO (AP) — In a landmark move, the San Diego City Council has agreed to a $30 million settlement for the family of Konoa Wilson, a 16-year-old who was tragically killed by police, making it one of the largest payouts in the history of the United States. This settlement surpasses the $27 million paid by Minneapolis to George Floyd's family after his murder in 2020, which sparked widespread protests and discussions about racial injustice across the nation.
Surveillance and body-worn camera footage from January 28 revealed the moments leading to Wilson's death. He was seen fleeing gunfire in a downtown train station when he encountered San Diego Police Officer Daniel Gold. The family’s lawsuit claims that Officer Gold fired two shots at Wilson without warning as he passed by, fatally injuring him in the upper body. The lawsuit has drawn attention not only to the specifics of the incident but also to the broader implications of police behavior toward Black individuals.
Council member Henry Foster spoke passionately during the meeting, expressing his fears for his own son and the dangers faced by Black youth today. Kano’s life was taken while fleeing from gunshots, and he found himself running into the arms of a police officer. This should not have happened, he emphasized, urging for accountability in the face of such tragedies. Since Floyd's killing, where's the progress? Where's the protect and serve? Better yet, where's the accountability?
Currently, Officer Gold is on an administrative assignment as the investigation continues, according to Lieutenant Cesar Jimenez, a spokesperson for the San Diego Police Department. This case adds to the ongoing national dialogue regarding police conduct, accountability, and racial equity within the criminal justice system.
Surveillance and body-worn camera footage from January 28 revealed the moments leading to Wilson's death. He was seen fleeing gunfire in a downtown train station when he encountered San Diego Police Officer Daniel Gold. The family’s lawsuit claims that Officer Gold fired two shots at Wilson without warning as he passed by, fatally injuring him in the upper body. The lawsuit has drawn attention not only to the specifics of the incident but also to the broader implications of police behavior toward Black individuals.
Council member Henry Foster spoke passionately during the meeting, expressing his fears for his own son and the dangers faced by Black youth today. Kano’s life was taken while fleeing from gunshots, and he found himself running into the arms of a police officer. This should not have happened, he emphasized, urging for accountability in the face of such tragedies. Since Floyd's killing, where's the progress? Where's the protect and serve? Better yet, where's the accountability?
Currently, Officer Gold is on an administrative assignment as the investigation continues, according to Lieutenant Cesar Jimenez, a spokesperson for the San Diego Police Department. This case adds to the ongoing national dialogue regarding police conduct, accountability, and racial equity within the criminal justice system.
