Above Photo: By Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
The mother of Philando Castile, a black motorist shot by a Minnesota police officer a year ago, agreed to a $2.995 million settlement with the city of St. Anthony, lawyers announced Monday.
Valerie Castile will be paid with insurance funds, and “no taxpayer monies” will be involved, according to a statement issued by the city and the family’s lawyers.
Castile, 32, was fatally shot at a traffic stop in July 2016 by officer Jeronimo Yanez. Multiple videos of the shooting and its chaotic aftermath emerged, thrusting the case into the national spotlight. Earlier this month, a jury acquitted Yanez, 29, of manslaughter and other charges in the case, setting off days of protests.
“The death of Philando Castile is a tragedy for his family and for our community,” the joint statement says. “The parties moved expeditiously to resolve potential civil claims … in order to allow the process of healing to move forward for the Castile family, for the people of St. Anthony Village, and for all those impacted by the death of Philando Castile throughout the United States.”
Castile was pulled over for a broken tail light, but radio transmissions later revealed Yanez, who is Latino, thought Castile resembled a suspect in a convenience store robbery days earlier.
Castile’s girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, livestreamed on Facebook from the scene in the moments immediately following the shooting. Another video, from an officer’s dash cam, was key evidence in the trial. That video shows the moment Yanez begins following Castile’s car, the shooting and the lifesaving efforts that followed.
Yanez also was wearing a wireless microphone and can be heard calmly telling Castile he pulled him over for an inoperable brake light. Yanez asks for Castile’s driver’s license and proof of insurance.
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As Castile hands Yanez his insurance card, he says, “Sir, I have to tell you that I do have a firearm on me.”
The tension quickly escalates as Yanez tells Castile not to touch his weapon and Castile, who had a permit for his gun, claims he isn’t. Seconds later, Yanez fires seven gunshots.
The day Yanez was acquitted of manslaughter and other charges, the city announced it was offering the officer a separation agreement to help him “transition to another career.”
Castile’s family and friends have created the Philando Castile Relief Foundation to help other victims of gun violence and those who are grieving.
“No amount of money could ever replace Philando,” the joint statement says. “With resolution of the claims the family will continue to deal with their loss through the important work of the Philando Castile Relief Foundation. The important work of healing our community continues.”