Los Angeles to pay more than $8M over deadly LAPD shootings

Leanne Suter Image
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Los Angeles to pay more than $8M over deadly LAPD shootings
The city of Los Angeles agreed Tuesday to pay out more than $8 million to settle lawsuits in three deadly LAPD shootings.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The city of Los Angeles agreed Tuesday to pay out more than $8 million to settle lawsuits in three deadly LAPD shootings.

The multi-million-dollar settlements come amid growing concerns over controversial LAPD shootings and tactics critics say are targeted toward minorities.

Sergio Navas was unarmed when he was shot and killed by an LAPD officer at the end of a chase in March 2015.

The L.A. Police Commission and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck found the officer violated department policy in the shooting. The city was now agreeing to pay Navas' family $2.5 million to settle their suit against the police department.

The controversial fatal shooting of Brendon Glenn near the Venice boardwalk in May 2015 prompted Beck to issue an unprecedented decision: urging the D.A. to consider criminal charges against the officer who opened fire.

Glenn was unarmed at the time of deadly confrontation. His family was settling with the department for $4 million.

The third case, now settled with the city, involves former football star Reginald Doucet Jr. The 25-year-old was unarmed and nearly naked when he was shot and killed by an officer in Playa Vista in 2011. His family will receive more than $1.5 million.

Attorney Luis Carrillo, who represented Navas' family, said the settlements are clear evidence the LAPD needs to change.

"The city of Los Angeles will continue to have these kinds of traffic incidents unless there's real, real meaningful change in the training and the culture within the LAPD," Carrillo said.

The police commission ruled the shooting for Doucet was justified.

The D.A. was still reviewing the cases for the two officers who gunned down Glenn and Navas.

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