San Diego approves $30M settlement in teen police shooting
San Diego City Council approved a $30 million settlement to the family of 16-year-old Konoa Wilson over a police-involved shooting, a payout larger than the $27 million Minneapolis paid George Floyd’s family. Mayor Todd Gloria called the case "heartbreaking" and pledged stronger officer tools and training, while Officer Daniel Gold remains on the force in an administrative assignment as investigators review the incident; the lawsuit alleges Gold fired without warning, SDPD says a gun was later found under Wilson’s clothing though it was not displayed before the shooting, and the family’s attorney said the settlement offers "some semblance of accountability" but not closure.
📌 Key Facts
- San Diego City Council approved a $30 million payment to the family of 16-year-old Konoa Wilson.
- The $30 million payout exceeds the $27 million settlement Minneapolis paid George Floyd’s family.
- Mayor Todd Gloria called the case "heartbreaking" and pledged to strengthen officers' tools and training.
- San Diego Police Department says Officer Daniel Gold remains on the force in an administrative assignment while the investigation continues.
- Family attorney Nick Rowley said the settlement offers "some semblance of accountability" but not closure.
- The lawsuit alleges Gold fired without warning; body‑camera footage and its context are central to the dispute, and SDPD said a gun was later found under Wilson’s clothing but was not displayed before the shooting.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2020, the firearm homicide rate for non-Hispanic Black Americans was 28.3 per 100,000, compared to 2.0 for non-Hispanic White Americans, making Black Americans 14.15 times more likely to be victims of firearm homicide; Black Americans comprise about 13% of the U.S. population.
Notes from the Field: Firearm Homicide Rates, by Race and Ethnicity — United States, 2019–2022 — CDC MMWR
According to a 2023-2024 national survey, 11.9% of Black youth and young adults reported carrying a gun before age 18, compared to 6.5% of White youth and young adults, with Black individuals having 2.4 times higher odds of gun carrying before age 18.
Prevalence of Gun Carrying and Gun Violence Victimization and Perpetration Among a Nationally Representative Sample of U.S. Youth and Young Adults — AJPM Focus (ScienceDirect)
Police killings in the US have risen every year since 2020, increasing by 18% from 2019 to 2024 with at least 1,226 people killed in 2024, and racial disparities in police killings persisting for Black Americans.
Since George Floyd's Murder, Police Killings Keep Rising, Not Falling — The New York Times
📰 Sources (2)
- San Diego City Council approved a $30 million payment to the family of 16-year-old Konoa Wilson.
- CBS notes the payout exceeds the $27 million settlement Minneapolis paid George Floyd’s family.
- Mayor Todd Gloria issued a statement calling the case 'heartbreaking' and pledged to strengthen officer tools and training.
- SDPD says Officer Daniel Gold remains on the force in an administrative assignment while the investigation continues.
- Family attorney Nick Rowley said the settlement offers 'some semblance of accountability' but not closure.
- Article reiterates lawsuit claims that Gold fired without warning and body-cam footage context; SDPD said a gun was found under Wilson’s clothing but not displayed before the shooting.