Seattle Ordered to Pay $30 Million for Teen’s Death

Seattle has been instructed to pay $30 million to the father of a teenager who was fatally shot in a protest zone in 2020. The incident took place during a time when first responders were reportedly denied access to the area, known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) Zone.

A jury found the city liable for not adequately responding to the shooting death of 16-year-old Antonio Mays Jr., which happened on June 29 within the CHOP Zone. This zone arose in response to George Floyd’s death two weeks earlier in Minneapolis.

After 12 days of deliberations, the jury reached a decision that was not unanimous; only 10 jurors were in agreement. In civil cases like this one, the burden of proof is lower compared to criminal cases, requiring only a preponderance of the evidence to decide in favor of a claim.

Antonio Mays Sr. was awarded $26 million in damages for the loss of his son, along with an additional $4 million for the estate of Mays Jr. The lawsuit, initiated in 2023, alleged that the city allowed “unlawful control” of the area.

During the trial, Mays’ attorney argued that quicker medical assistance might have saved the boy. Mays had to wait 24 minutes after being shot before emergency services were contacted. Access was denied to first responders due to the protests.

Witnesses attempted to take Mays to safety but claimed that when they called an ambulance, it drove away. After nearly 30 minutes, witnesses finally connected with medical personnel in a parking lot.

Mays’ legal team contended that had his airway been cleared sooner, he could have had a fighting chance. In contrast, city attorneys maintained that Mays’ head injury was severe enough that survival was unlikely regardless of timing.

Mays was killed while sitting in a stolen Jeep alongside a 14-year-old boy who survived the shooting. It’s believed armed protesters were responsible, yet no criminal charges have been filed.

Shortly before his death, Mays left a note for his father, saying he was joining the BLM movement to make him proud. His father reported him missing the day he left, ten days before the fatal incident occurred.

Three weeks after the shooting, city authorities regained control of the area. The presiding judge did not permit the city to present evidence suggesting that Mays had stolen the vehicle, citing a lack of connection between that claim and the shooting.

In the aftermath of the verdict, Mays’ family is pursuing transparency by requesting body camera footage from a recently released police officer.

“This verdict is historic; the jury has been held accountable,” stated attorney Evan Oshan. “The family simply wants transparency. We need the public to see the video from the body cameras to truly honor Antonio’s memory and aid in community healing.”

While the city deemed Mays’ death a tragedy, it did not specify if it intends to appeal the decision, leaving its legal options open.