Oxnard to pay record settlement for fatal police shooting

OXNARD, Calif. (KABC) -- The city of Oxnard has agreed to pay a record settlement of nearly $7 million after the accidental police shooting of a local resident. The family says the death was unnecessary and completely avoidable.

It has been two years since Oxnard police officers mistakenly shot and killed 21-year-old Alfonso Limon. His family remains devastated.

Police admit to shooting the young man, believing he was a suspect in a pursuit that turned into a shootout on October 13, 2012. Wednesday, lawyers for Limon's family announced they reached a multi-million-dollar wrongful death settlement with the city.

"The settlement of the lawsuit is $6.7 million," said attorney Brian Panish. "It is a record amount paid out by the city of Oxnard and their police department for a civil case."

"Nothing is ever going to bring my brother back and there's always going to be a permanent wedge for his loss, and I don't think that's ever going to go away," said the Alfonso's sister, Rebecca. "This brings us a little hope knowing that we're helping in some way to bring some change into the police department and the community."

Oxnard Police Chief Jeri Williams said that since the shooting the department has instituted mandatory recording devices for all officers that will keep track of incidents and events in the field.

Lawyers for the family say they would like to see the four officers who shot and killed Limon prosecuted.

"We believe based on the evidence that has been turned over to us that there is more than enough evidence for the district attorney to pursue criminal charges against the officers," said Panish.

The Ventura County District Attorney's Office is still investigating the shooting and will ultimately decide if charges should be filed against the officers.

Chief Williams also says the shooting Limon was tragic for everyone involved.

In a statement, she said: "It is important to note that it was the violent behavior of the armed suspects that set the events in motion that resulted in the death of an innocent bystander... as soon as the Limon family's lawsuit was filed, the city and our insurers sought to resolve this matter in a fair and equitable manner. We are pleased that a settlement was reached as to both the monetary and non-monetary terms."