The San Diego City Council has approved a historic $30 million settlement connected to a fatal police shooting that took place near downtown’s Santa Fe Depot transit area last Jan. The decision, reached during a closed session vote on Tuesday, marks the largest financial settlement related to a police-involved death in the city’s history.
The agreement resolves a federal civil rights lawsuit brought by the victim’s parents, who alleged excessive use of force and wrongful death following the January 28 incident. The young man, 16 at the time of his death, was shot by officers responding to emergency calls.
Body-worn camera footage shows the officer, a two-year veteran named Gold, immediately firing on the teen at close range as the boy ran down a corridor from Kettner Boulevard toward the station; a police spokesperson stated Gold shot the boy “before he even announced who he was.” After being struck, the video depicts the youth screaming and running briefly before collapsing. Officers performing CPR subsequently discovered a handgun concealed under his clothing near his right thigh. According to the footage, there were no indications the teen had fired his weapon or was holding it when Officer Gold opened fire.
The City Attorney recommended that the council accept the settlement, stating it was the most responsible financial and legal option for the city. In a written statement, she acknowledged the tragic loss of life while noting the uncertainty and cost associated with taking the case to trial.
The family’s legal representative, civil rights attorney Nick Rowley, said the settlement represents a measure of accountability but cannot undo the emotional damage suffered by the family. He added that the family hopes the outcome will encourage reforms in how law enforcement handles mental health and crisis situations.
Meanwhile, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office continues to conduct an independent review to determine whether the officers’ actions complied with state law. That investigation remains ongoing, and no final determination has yet been announced.
Following standard protocol, the officer involved was initially placed on administrative leave after the shooting. He has since returned to non-patrol, administrative duties while the legal process continues.
City officials confirmed that the $30 million payout will be covered through San Diego’s self-insurance fund along with existing budget reserves. Formal court approval from a federal judge is expected in the coming weeks, which will finalize the settlement.
The case has renewed public discussion around police response procedures, use-of-force policies, and the need for expanded crisis intervention resources across the city.
