$4.5M Settlement For A Man Shot By Baton Rouge Police

$4.5M Settlement For A Man Shot By Baton Rouge Police

Introduction

The family of a man who was shot by police in Louisiana has agreed to receive a $4.5 million settlement after five years of his death. The deceased man was a 37-year-old father of five who got killed on July 5, 2016, outside a convenience store by Baton Rouge police officers. The man's death resulted in nationwide protests. Attorneys for the man sued the city, its police department and former police chief, and the two officers for the incident. The officer who shot the man was fired in March 2018. Another officer was suspended for three days who wrestled the deceased to the ground. The lawyers of the family said that the settlement would provide financial stability to the man's family. Earlier, three settlement offers were rejected by East Baton Rouge Metro Council, and the final agreement was approved in February. The family has even alleged that the shooting was a part of racist behavior and excessive force by Baton Rouge police. The Mayor of the city said that the settlement is important for the community and will also ensure that no such offense takes place with any other family in Baton. East Baton Rouge Parish’s insurance reserve funds will be used to pay $1 million to the deceased children, whereas the remaining money will be paid in installments from the annual operating budget over the next four years.