The Austin City Council on Thursday approved a $3.25 million settlement to the family of a naked, unarmed teen shot and killed by an Austin police officer in February 2016.
The council will vote on the settlement recommended by the city attorney, which will be paid to the family of 17-year-old David Joseph. Joseph was shot and killed by Officer Geoffrey Freeman on Feb. 8, 2016 after Freeman responded to a disturbance call in northeast Austin. Dash camera video showed Joseph charging at Freeman before he shot and killed the teen.
Freeman was fired in March by then-Police Chief Art Acevedo. He appealed, and the city paid him $35,000 in exchange for dropping the appeal and agreeing that he is no longer eligible to work for APD.
Austin Police Association Ken Casaday released the following statement after the settlement was announced:
"The city of Austin has now reached a settlement with both Officer Freeman and the Joseph family.
"The Austin Police Association is grateful that the City and the police Chief have recognized the role that inadequate staffing played in this event.
"We call for the Mayor and council to pass a resolution mandating minimum staffing levels for Police Patrol. This permanent commitment to the safety of Officers and our community would create parity with the existing staffing commitment made to firefighters."
District 1 Council Member Ora Houston issued the following statement:
“It is never easy when we have a violent event like David Joseph’s death occur in our community. This city has been forever changed by the unfortunate death of this young man. My prayers go out to Ms. Sully and the extended family.
"The settlement will not close the void left in the hearts of the family yet I hope that it will begin to bring a sense of closure to the family and the community.
"The City of Austin recognizes that this situation was regrettable.”
The settlement is the most ever paid by the city after a police shooting.
This is a developing story. Please check back with KVUE.com for updates.
