Family of girl shot and killed by LB school safety officer says record $13M settlement reached

LONG BEACH, Calif (KABC) -- The family of 18-year-old who was shot and killed by a school safety officer in September 2021 say they have reached a settlement with the Long Beach Unified School District for a record $13 million.

Eddie Gonzalez was caught on video shooting into a car in which Mona Rodriguez was a passenger.

The LBUSD's use of force policy states that mandated officers cannot shoot into a moving vehicle and cannot shoot at fleeing persons.

Investigators said Gonzalez was responding to a fight near the high school when he shot into the car Rodriguez was a passenger in. The car can be seen parked when Gonzalez approaches, only for him to shoot inside as it drives away.

Gonzalez has plead not guilty and is awaiting trial for second-degree murder.

The settlement has not been formally approved in court, and the LBUSD said they cannot discuss the details of the lawsuit.

Rodriguez left behind her family and a son. The family's lawyers said Gonzalez was not properly vetted.

"The settlement has been reached between both parties," said Michael Carrillo with Carrillo Law Firm. "At this point, all that's left is for this to be presented to the court and to the judge for final approval. So in legal terms, it hasn't technically been closed but it has been settled. There has been an agreement reached in which the mom and the minor will get $13 million as a full and final settlement for what they've been through. Again, that's civil justice, that's not the criminal justice."

In a statement sent to Eyewitness News, LBUSD said in part, "The school district and its insurance carriers have been in negotiations on a settlement, but because we have not seen or ratified an agreement, we cannot discuss the details. Settlements like these include language that there is no admission of liability on the district's part."