National City council approves $1 million settlement after family urges accountability

The National City Council voted to approve a settlement stemming from a police-involved shooting after family members spoke at the meeting urging accountability.

Roberto Umana, who addressed the council during public comment, said he and other families have experienced what he described as excessive force and a lack of accountability in multiple cases. “Is mental illness a death sentence in National City?” he asked, calling for change and saying families have been repeatedly let down.

The city attorney responded with a prepared statement describing the incident covered by the settlement. The attorney said the case involved allegations of wrongful death and excessive force and noted that the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office issued a report concluding the officers faced a life-threatening situation. “Despite repeated warnings and efforts to use nonlethal force, [the individual] failed to comply and was eventually shot and killed when he attacked the officers,” the city attorney said, while also expressing condolences for the family’s loss.

Council members then moved to approve the settlement agreement as presented in the staff report; the motion passed on the council vote recorded at the meeting.

The council did not discuss confidential investigative details on the dais beyond the public statements; the city attorney said the city had issued a press statement and that internal and external reviews were completed. The meeting record shows the motion passed but does not record additional conditions or a breakdown of the vote tally beyond the mayor’s summary that the motion passed.

The council’s action resolves the matter described in staff materials and the public press statement; the city indicated it will continue to process related legal and administrative follow-up as required.