The family of a young man from Ohio, Casey Goodson Jr., who was fatally shot by a former sheriff’s deputy, has reached a $7 million settlement in a federal civil rights lawsuit related to the incident that occurred in December 2020. The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved the settlement unanimously. Goodson was shot multiple times as he was attempting to enter his grandmother’s house in Columbus. His death, which is one of several cases involving African American individuals being shot by white law enforcement officers in Ohio over the past decade, sparked national outcry and calls for police reform.

In response to the settlement, Goodson’s family released a statement hailing it as a historic moment. The family’s attorney, Sean Walton, stated that the settlement allows Goodson’s family to focus on the upcoming murder retrial of the accused former deputy, Michael Jason Meade. Although no monetary compensation can alleviate the loss of Casey, the settlement is seen as a significant recognition of the profound impact his death has had on his loved ones and the wider community.

Meade had been charged with murder and reckless homicide, but a mistrial was declared in February after the jury could not reach a verdict, resulting in four jurors being dismissed. A retrial for Meade, who pleaded not guilty, is scheduled to commence on October 31. Prosecutors decided to drop one of the murder counts he faced.

During the proceedings, Meade claimed that Goodson had brandished a gun at him while they passed each other in their vehicles, prompting him to pursue Goodson out of fear for his safety and that of others. The former deputy stated that he ultimately shot Goodson because Goodson allegedly turned towards him with a gun. However, Goodson’s family and prosecutors maintained that he was simply holding a sandwich bag in one hand and his keys in the other at the time of the shooting. It was acknowledged that Goodson possessed a valid license to carry a firearm.

Notably, Goodson’s handgun, which included an extended magazine, was discovered on the kitchen floor of his grandmother’s home with the safety engaged. There is no video footage of the shooting as Meade was not equipped with a body camera. Prosecutors highlighted during the initial trial that Meade was the sole individual who testified that Goodson had a gun.