In November 2014, 12-year-old Tamir Rice was shot and killed by a Cleveland police officer as he played with a toy gun. The disturbing shooting sparked outrage and a wrongful death suit from Rice’s family. The officer wasn’t indicted, but Rice’s family will receive a $6 million settlement from the city of Cleveland, according to The New York Times.
Cleveland does not admit any wrongdoing by paying this settlement—And in paying it, they’ll avoid entering into a long trial which would draw out the case. If city were found guilty at trial, they would potentially be ordered to pay much more than $6 million.
“In a situation like this, there’s no such thing as closure or justice,” the Rice family’s lawyers, Jonathan S. Abady and Earl S. Ward, said in a statement, according to the Times. “Nothing will bring Tamir back. His unnecessary and premature death leaves a gaping hole for those who knew and loved him that can never be filled.”
Cleveland.com reports that the city will have to pay half of the settlement this year, and half next year.