Fresno, California, settles 2 police shooting lawsuits for nearly $10 million – Everett Post

(FRESNO, Calif.) – The city of Fresno, Calif., Has agreed to settle two federal civil rights suits related to fatal police shootings, including one in which a suspected teen was shot, in less than a month Involved in a murder in the back of the head on daycare premises, officials said.

The central California city of just over 500,000 residents announced a $ 4.9 million preliminary settlement in the 2017 police shooting of 16-year-old Isiah Murrietta-Golding, just days after she announced it had to settle a $ 4.4 million lawsuit in the 2015 police fatal shooting of 45 -year-old Casimero “Shane” Casillas.

“I sincerely want to offer our apologies and condolences to the families,” said Miguel Arias, a member of the Fresno City Council, to the Fresno Bee. “I hope the settlements will allow families to move forward.”

Murrietta-Golding was shot dead on April 16, 2017 when he allegedly ran away from police officers after they stopped a car he was driving in. Police said the teenager and his brother were suspects of a murder.

In October 2019, police officers released surveillance video and body camera footage that Sgt.Ray Villalvazo fired a single shot that hit Murrietta-Golding in the back of the head after climbing the fence of a daycare center.

The videos sparked outrage in the community after another official was heard on the footage congratulating Villalvazo on a “good shot” when Murrietta-Golding was dying.

Police said Murrietta-Golding was unarmed at the time he was shot.

“This tragic shooting of a child was completely unnecessary and disgusting for anyone who saw the video. The city of Fresno did the right thing by paying Isiah’s parents the largest settlement in Fresno history, ”Michael Haddad, attorney for the Murrietta-Golding family, told Fresno ABC network KFSN-TV.

The Fresno District Attorney’s Office declined to bring charges against Villalvazo, and the city’s independent review found the shooting was a justified use of lethal force.

“The shooting, in which an officer was involved, was investigated by the Fresno Police Department Home Affairs Bureau, the Fresno District Attorney’s Office, and the Fresno City Independent Verification Bureau. All three reviews concluded that the use of lethal force was warranted, “former Fresno Police Chief Andy Hall said in a 2019 statement.

Hall, who retired in January, added that although Murrietta-Golding had no gun on the day of his shooting, he was “known to carry firearms” and was suspected of being involved in a murder he has been involved in for 17 years was involved – old brother finally pleaded guilty.

The settlement of the lawsuit against Casillas came more than two years after a federal jury awarded his family $ 4.75 million.

As part of the $ 4.4 million settlement, the city agreed to drop the appeal against the jury’s verdict in the Casillas case.

The lawsuit alleged that former Fresno police officer Trevor Shipman violated Casillas’ civil rights by using excessive force in an altercation on September 7, 2015.

“While we believe that we would have prevailed and that the city would be liable for significantly more money, the longer the family has to forego financial support from their father, the more difficult it is,” said lawyer Bill Schmidt for the Casillas family said in a statement to the Fresno Bee.

Casillas was killed after allegedly leading Fresno police officers in a car chase. This emerges from a statement from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office investigating the shooting. When Casillas’ car stopped, he allegedly got out and ran according to the sheriff’s office.

According to the sheriff’s office, Shipman found Casillas hiding in the courtyard of a residence. Casillas allegedly ran up to Shipman and reportedly told the officer to shoot him three times.

The Fresno District Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges against Shipman after an investigation revealed that he was authorized to use lethal force against Casillas. Shipman was later hired as the deputy sheriff in San Luis Obispo County, California.

“Deputy Shipman is an excellent deputy sheriff and the sheriff’s office supports his recruitment and continued employment,” a spokesman for the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement when the Shipman Agency hired a resident asset in May 2019 of San Luis Obispo County. “

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