Facts

In 2017, 16-year-old Isiah Murrietta-Golding and his brother were considered suspects in a deadly shooting. Police attempted to detain Isiah in a shopping center parking lot. While running away from the police, Isiah jumped over a fence and took approximately eight steps before he was shot in the back of the head by a police officer. Isiah had reached to pull up his pants but was unarmed. Isiah's parents brought claims against the City of Fresno, City of Fresno Policy Chief, and Fresno police Sergeant Ray Villalvazo alleging claims under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 for violations of the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments, and state law claims.

PLAINTIFFS' CONTENTIONS: Plaintiffs contended defendant Villalvazo violated Isiah's constitutional rights by using deadly force. Plaintiffs also contended lethal force was not justified because Isiah was attempting to run away
and was unarmed. Simply pulling up his pants did not pose an immediate threat to justify deadly force. Plaintiffs also
contended defendants violated state law when the police officer shot Isiah in the back of the head.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS: Defendants contended that the shooting was justified because Isiah, a murder suspect, appeared to be reaching for a weapon and the officer reasonably believed his life was in danger. Defendants also asserted that the officer was entitled to qualified immunity.

Result

This case settled for $4,900,000.