By Jack Morphet
The family of a 16-year-old Black teenager who was fatally shot in the back by a San Diego police officer will be paid $30 million.
The San Diego City Council on Tuesday approved the payment to the family of Konoa Wilson, who was fleeing gunshots when he was gunned down in January by San Diego Police Officer Daniel Gold, according to court documents.
In a lawsuit against the city and Gold, the family alleged Gold fired "without any warning" as Konoa ran past him.
"A 16-year-old boy was running for his life. He was not a threat and not a suspect, yet he was shot in the back by a police officer who only saw him for one second before deciding to pull the trigger," Wilson family attorney Nick Rowley said.
The settlement ranks among the largest for a police killing case in U.S. history. The amount eclipsed the $27 million paid to the family of George Floyd, whose death in Minneapolis police custody in 2020 sparked mass protests.
Council documents described the settlement as a "business decision" and "not an admission of liability by any party."
"I gave the City one number, $30 million. Pay it or don't pay it. If you don't we will have ourselves a jury trial," the Wilsons' attorney said.
"The City of San Diego stepped up and did the right thing, and that's noble, it also did the smart thing because the jury verdict would have been a heck of a lot more."
The San Diego Police Department said Gold is working in an administrative capacity and that it doesn't comment on ongoing legal matters. Gold remains under investigation.
Write to Jack Morphet at jack.morphet@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
December 09, 2025 18:43 ET (23:43 GMT)
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