San Diego announced on Friday that it will pay $30 million to the family of 16‑year‑old Konoa Wilson, following the shooting by Officer Daniel Gold on Jan. 28. The settlement is poised to become one of the largest payouts in a police‑involved killing case in U.S. history, surpassing the $27 million Minneapolis settlement for George Floyd. The city’s decision was revealed in a council agenda item and will be formally considered on Tuesday, though city officials could not be reached for comment.
Settlement Details
The $30 million payment will come from the Public Liability Fund and will be disbursed to Konoa Wilson’s parents after the city council’s approval. The amount was disclosed in the agenda and represents the city’s financial responsibility for the officer’s actions. If the council approves, the settlement will exceed Minneapolis’s $27 million payout for George Floyd’s family.
Incident Overview
Konoa Wilson’s parents sued the city and Officer Gold over the teen’s death on the night of Jan. 28. According to the lawsuit, the boy was fleeing gunshots fired at him by another person when he encountered Gold, who shot the boy twice in the back ‘instantly, without any warning.’ Konoa was pronounced dead at a hospital less than an hour later.
Video Evidence
Trolley station surveillance footage released earlier this year shows Konoa running after a shooter pulls a gun and opens fire on him at the station’s west platform. Gold and another officer were responding to an unrelated assault report when the gunshots rang out. Body‑worn camera footage shows the officer immediately firing at the teen at close range. Rowley said Gold shot the boy ‘before he even announced who he was.’
Findings from the Footage
After the shots, the video captures the boy screaming and running briefly before collapsing. Officers performed CPR while discovering a handgun concealed under the youth’s clothing near his right thigh, according to police. The footage shows no indication that the teen fired his gun or was holding it when Gold opened fire. Rowley argued the boy had the gun for self‑defense after recent gang assaults, that it was likely unloaded, and was not brandished.
Legal Proceedings
The San Diego County District Attorney’s office stated the case remains under review for potential criminal charges. San Diego police confirmed Officer Gold is on paid administrative duty and currently not on patrol. The city declined to comment further on the settlement beyond confirming Gold’s status.
Settlement Significance
“What happened to Konoa was a catastrophic failure of policing,” Nick Rowley, Wilson’s attorney, said in a statement. “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.”
Family Statements
“This settlement brings some semblance of accountability, but not closure,” Rowley continued. “You don’t get closure when your child is shot in the back for doing nothing wrong by the people who are supposed to be protecting him.” He added, “We hope that Konoa’s story will send a message across the country: Cities will pay dearly when officers violate the law and take a life without justification. We expect the city of San Diego to ensure this never happens again.”
Community Impact
The boy was killed three months shy of his 17th birthday. In a statement, attorneys said he was ‘an only child, and his parents lost their only son.’ Police said the person who fired gunshots at Konoa, described only as a 16‑year‑old juvenile, was arrested just over a week later. The settlement, paid from the Public Liability Fund, underscores the city’s acknowledgment of the tragedy.
Closing Thoughts
The San Diego City Council’s upcoming vote will determine whether the $30 million settlement becomes official, potentially setting a new benchmark for accountability in police‑involved deaths. The case continues to be examined for criminal liability, while the family seeks justice and a warning to law enforcement nationwide.
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