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The family of Korryn Gaines reached a $3 million settlement with the city of Baltimore, five years after her shooting death by police. A settlement for the 23-year-old’s son, Kodi, remains undetermined.
J. Wyndal Gordon, the family’s lawyer, told WJZ 13, the partial settlement a step forward in the process that began in 2016.
“The family finally got a chance to begin the healing process,” he said.
On August 1, 2016, Korryn Gaines was shot and killed inside her apartment by a Baltimore County police officer, after a seven-hour standoff with police.
Gaines streamed the encounter on Facebook, which showed the mother barricaded in her home before she was killed. Her son, who was five years old at the time, was shot twice but survived.
“They’re satisfied. No one is going to be happy when they lose a loved one after such a horrendous act. Nonetheless, they’re satisfied,” Gordon said, adding that the case goes beyond monetary awards. “This case is about accountability. It’s about reforms.”
In 2018, a jury awarded Kodi the majority of $38 million, but it was later overturned by a Maryland Appeals Court. The lawyer representing the child said the legal battle is ongoing.
“Kodi is now physically and mentally scarred for life,” Kenneth Ravenell, Kodi’s attorney, said.
Both of Gaines’ family attorneys said they’re still planning to push for criminal charges against Royce Ruby, the officer who reportedly fired the shot that killed Gaines.
Prosecutors declined to charge Ruby in 2016, saying the shooting was justified.
Read more of Korryn Gaines’ story here.
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