City Council approves $30M settlement to family of teen shot by San Diego police

The San Diego City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to pay $30 million to the family of Konoa Wilson, a 16-year-old boy who was fatally shot by a police officer nearly a year ago.

Wilson’s parents sued the city and San Diego Police Department Officer Daniel Gold in connection with the teen’s shooting death on the night of Jan. 28.

According to the family’s lawsuit, the boy was fleeing gunshots fired at him by another person when he encountered Gold, who shot the boy twice in the back “instantly, without any warning.” Konoa was pronounced dead at a hospital less than an hour later.

His family’s attorneys believe the settlement may be the largest amount paid in a case stemming from a police killing in U.S. history. It surpasses the $27 million paid out by Minneapolis to the family of George Floyd.

City Councilmember Henry Foster III noted the Floyd murder in his statement on the Tuesday settlement.

“Where’s the progress? Where’s the protect and serve? Better yet, where’s the accountability?” he said. “As the father of a young Black man, this hurts. This could be my son. If only you could understand the fear I feel when my son leaves the house.”

He called on Mayor Todd Gloria and Police Chief Scott Wahl to do better.

“Will you step up? Or will we see what we always see … busine...