Korryn Gaines was shot and killed by police after a six-hour standoff in 2016. Today, her family was awarded $37 million after winning a wrongful death lawsuit against Baltimore County police, proving they violated her civil rights.
According to the Baltimore Sun, the jury ruled that the first shot from the officer that killed Gaines — and also injured her then-5-year-old son — was not reasonable. The incident happened after officers illegally entered the 23-year-old’s home and partook in an hours-long standoff with Gaines holding a shotgun and her infant son.
Since the 5-year-old was injured in the shooting, he will receive the bulk of the money. $32 million in damages will be given to Kodi Gaines, and $4.5 million for his sister Karsyn. According to reports, Gaines’ father was awarded $300,000, her mother $307,000, and $300,000 went to the Gaines estate.
“This win is for all of my sisters in the movement who have lost their children to police violence,” Gaines’ mother Rhanda Dormeus said outside the courthouse. “Some of them have never received justice, either criminally or civil. I just want to tell them that this win is for them.”
Kenneth Ravenell, the attorney for Kodi’s father, added, “This is a great day. This is a great statement on behalf of many who have been victimized by police officers — too many — in our community.”
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