San Diego is poised to pay $30 million to the family of a teenager who was fatally shot by a San Diego police officer outside Santa Fe Depot earlier this year. Konoa Wilson, 16, was running away from someone shooting at him on the train platform when Konoa emerged from a corridor onto Kettner Boulev ard and into the path of Officer Dan Gold II, who was running toward the gunfire. Konoa was shot within seconds of their encounter the night of Jan. 28, according to footage from the officer’s body-worn camera. The teen’s parents alleged in the suit, filed in San Diego Superior Court, that Gold opened fire “instantly, without any warning,” in violation of Konoa’s civil rights, as well as state law and San Diego police use-of-force standards. The lawsuit moved very quickly. The teen’s parents sued the city and Gold in June. The City Council voted to approve a $30 million settlement in closed session in late September. Attorney Nicholas Rowley, who is part of the team that represented Konoa’s parents, said the $30 million amount was the only offer made. “That is the number we gave them,” he said. “I’ve never seen a city take responsibility so quickly,” Rowley said. “It’s really noble. It really is. It was an officer out there trying to keep people safe. It was a mistake.” Rowley said he believes the amount represents the largest-ever settlement in a police shooting case. It tops the $27 million settlement the city of Minneapolis reached in the death of George Floyd, although that case did not involve a shooting. The San Diego City Council is slated to vote Tuesday on whether to authorize the payment, and the expected settlement also covers the officer, whom the teen’s family also sued. The money will come from the city’s public liability fund, according to memos attached to the City Council meeting agenda. “The settlement is a business decision and the result of a compromise and dismissal of the litigation proceedings and is not an admission of liability by any party,” the memo reads. “City and its representatives specifically disclaim any liability or responsibility to Plaintiff.” San Diego must pay $5 million of the sum, according to the City Attorney’s Office. The remaining $25 million will come from a public liability fund in which several municipalities pool money to help cover liabilities. Gold had been a San Diego police officer for two years at the time of the shooting. A police spokesperson confirmed Friday Gold is working for the department in an administrative capacity. The spokesperson declined further comment on the expected settlement because the matter is still pending. Attorney Rowley said Konoa’s parents “miss their son so much. There is no dollar amount that will replace him and make what happened OK. They are grateful that the city of San Diego looked at this and did the right thing.” The District Attorney is reviewing the case for criminal liability, as is protocol when a local law enforcement officer opens fire. That review remains under way. ...read more read less