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Council approves $15,000 settlement in civil case involving shooting victim
Summary
City attorneys recommended and council approved a $15,000 settlement to resolve claims tied to a 2020 shooting incident where the city and a named police officer were defendants; attorneys cited mediation outcomes, the volume of litigation costs and litigation risk as reasons to settle.
Assistant City Attorney Amanda Browning Richardson briefed the council on a federal civil case arising from a 2020 shooting in LaBelle where a bystander was shot and later alleged misconduct by multiple agencies. The city had defended claims after extensive discovery and depositions and the city attorney’s office recommended a settlement of $15,000 to resolve claims against the city and the named officer.
Browning Richardson summarized prior litigation steps, including denied motions to dismiss, extensive depositions, a mediation in which other defendants settled earlier, and an appeal by the named officer regarding qualified immunity. She said the recommended settlement would cover claims against both the officer and the city and that continued litigation could expose the city to costs exceeding the settlement amount.
Council discussed the nature of the incident and confirmed the plaintiff was not under arrest at the time he was shot; after questions the council approved the settlement as recommended.
The city attorney's office will finalize the settlement documentation and close the file.
