De’Von Bailey.Photo: Bailey Family
The family will receive nearly $3 million as part of the settlement.
“Nothing in this nightmare could ever make what happened to my son OK or justifiable,” Bailey’s father, Greg Bailey, said in a statement. “There is no amount of money that will bring him back. He was running away, and they shot him in the back like an animal.”
The city also agreed to provide anti-bias training, maintain an early intervention program for officers who might require assistance or training and ensure that all officers' personnel files are kept throughout their law enforcement career,The Colorado Springs Gazettereported.
Bailey’s mother, Delisha Searcy, said she was “hopeful that the changes in the Colorado Springs Police Department will prevent another family from losing a child.”
He was hit three times in the back and once in the arm, ABC7 reported.
The shooting ignited protests across Colorado Springs and in June of 2020, Bailey’s family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city and police.
A 4th Judicial District Grand Jury rejected filing criminal charges against the two officers. The Federal Bureau of Investigation also concluded that the shooting was justified,KRDOreported.
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“These are real lives that have been forever changed. Any loss of life in our community, regardless of the circumstance, is a tragic event and the officers involved never wished to be part of this incident, nor did they want an outcome resulting in the loss of life,” the statement continued. “However, under the law and based on the officers' extensive training, they acted justifiably to protect both themselves and the community. We strongly stand behind our officers and their actions.”
In a statement, Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers said it was the insurance carrier’s decision to settle the case.
“Rather, the insurance carrier cited the ‘anti-law enforcement climate around the country,’ and much larger settlements in other cases in support of its desire to settle this case,” he added.
source: people.com
