San Diego to Pay $30M to Family of 16‑Year‑Old Konoa Wilson After Police Shooting

San Diego will pay $30 million to the family of 16‑year‑old Konoa Wilson after a police officer shot the teenager while he was running from gunfire at a downtown trolley station. The settlement, announced Friday, would be one of the largest payouts in a U.S. police‑involved killing case.

Settlement Details

The amount was disclosed in a San Diego City Council agenda posted Friday and will be formally considered by the council on Tuesday. If approved, the payment will come from the Public Liability Fund and would exceed the $27 million Minneapolis paid to the family of George Floyd. City representatives could not be reached for comment.

The Shooting

On the night of Jan. 28, Konoa Wilson was fleeing gunshots fired at him by another 16‑year‑old juvenile. While running toward the west platform of the Sante Fe Depot, he encountered Officer Daniel Gold. According to the family’s lawsuit, Gold shot Wilson twice in the back “instantly, without any warning.” Wilson was pronounced dead at a hospital less than an hour later.

Surveillance footage released earlier this year shows Wilson running after the shooter and then turning toward the corridor that Gold was also pursuing. Body‑worn camera footage shows Gold immediately firing at Wilson at close range. The video captures Wilson screaming and collapsing after the shots. Officers performed CPR, and while doing so found a handgun concealed under his clothing near his right thigh.

Police say the handgun was not believed to be loaded and was not brandished when Wilson was shot. The officer, a two‑year member of the San Diego Police Department, is on paid administrative duty and not on patrol.

Legal Proceedings

The San Diego County District Attorney’s office stated the case remains under review for potential criminal charges. The person who fired the initial gunshots was arrested just over a week later. The family’s attorney, Nick Rowley, said the boy had the gun for self‑defense, having recently been targeted by gang members.

Family’s Statement

“What happened to Konoa was a catastrophic failure of policing,” Rowley said. “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.”

Rowley added, “This settlement brings some semblance of accountability, but not closure. 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 concluded, “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 settlement is being hailed by some as a step toward accountability, but critics argue it does not address systemic issues. The family, who lost their only son, emphasized that the payment cannot replace the loss of a life.

Key Takeaways

• San Diego will pay $30 million to the family of Konoa Wilson, a 16‑year‑old killed by Officer Daniel Gold.
• The settlement would surpass Minneapolis’ $27 million payout to George Floyd’s family.
• The case remains under review for potential criminal charges; the shooter was arrested a week later.

The city’s decision to settle may influence future police‑involved shooting cases nationwide, highlighting the financial and legal consequences of officer misconduct.

Closing

The San Diego City Council’s upcoming vote will determine whether the $30 million settlement becomes official. If passed, it will mark a significant moment in the ongoing national conversation about police accountability and the costs of lethal force.