KOMO reported that Seattle agreed to a $1.5 million settlement in the case involving slain woodcarver John T. Williams.
Williams was a homeless Native American woodcarver and was partially deaf. Williams was shot by a Seattle Police Officer after failing to comply with commands to drop a knife. Williams died from the shooting.
Police arriving on scene found the knife was closed and the officer’s car camera showed only a short time passing between the commands being issued and shots being fired. The Seattle Police Department’s Firearms Review Board found the shooting to be unjustified.
The Seattle Police have had several high profile media stories detailing excessive brutality or force in the last year. It’s not surprising that the city decided to settle this case. Hopefully, the city’s police can put this case behind them and tone down the use of excessive force.
