Oklahoma City Council Approves $1.05 Million Settlement in Police Shooting Case
On Tuesday, the Oklahoma City Council approved a $1.05 million settlement with the family of Bennie Edwards, a 60-year-old man fatally shot by an Oklahoma City police officer on December 11, 2020. The incident occurred at a strip mall near North Pennsylvania Avenue and Hefner Road, where officers were dispatched after reports of Edwards allegedly bothering customers.
Upon arrival, police found Edwards armed with a knife, and attempts were made to de-escalate the situation. Footage from officer body cameras recorded officers instructing Edwards to drop the knife and warning him that he would be tasered. However, the confrontation escalated as Edwards reportedly rushed at the officers, leading one to fire his weapon. Another officer then shot Edwards from behind as he was fleeing.
Initially, then-District Attorney David Prater charged the officer involved with manslaughter. However, current District Attorney Vicki Behenna dismissed these charges in July 2023, a decision which sparked controversy and protests. Following the shooting, the police maintained their stance that the officers acted out of necessity.
Edwards’ family, who described him as homeless and struggling with mental health issues, pursued civil action against the city and involved officers. The settlement, reached on October 25, marks a financial acknowledgment of the tragedy despite the earlier dismissal of criminal charges.
Garland Pruitt, president of the Oklahoma City NAACP chapter, described the settlement as a positive step, while emphasizing the need for better mental health training for police officers. He pointed out a significant 27% decrease in mental health-related calls, attributing it to a shift towards utilizing platforms like 988 for emergency response. The city has not provided additional comments regarding the settlement terms.
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