From [HERE] The city of Virginia Beach will pay $3 million to settle a lawsuit from the family of a Black man who was shot by a Virginia Beach officer on March 26 while multiple shootings were happening at the Oceanfront.

The city and the family of Donovon Lynch — a cousin of musician and Virginia Beach native Pharrell Williams

Wayne Lynch, Dononvon’s father, filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit in June 2021 against the city and police officer Solomon D. Simmons, who is also Black. According to the complaint:

Upon information and belief, the officer failed to attempt to stop or otherwise determine the identity of Mr. Lynch prior to firing his police-issued firearm

• During the incident, the officer failed to activate the body camera that he was wearing. The body camera should have been activated pursuant to Virginia Beach Police policies, procedures, and/or protocols

• Upon information and belief, the officer failed to render life-saving medical aide and/or failed to cause others to render life-saving medical aide to Mr. Lynch after shooting him twice.

Police have previously claimed that Lynch was “brandishing” a handgun at the time of the shooting, an allegation that his family and a witness have sharply denied.

Lynch was at the Oceanfront with his friend Darrion Marsh on March 26. They were inside a nightclub during a shooting in which they had no involvement. They then left and walked toward their cars when they encountered Simmons, according to the lawsuit.

“Immediately, unlawfully and without warning, Officer Simmons fired his police-issued firearm at Mr. Lynch, shooting him twice and killing him,” the lawsuit reads. It claims that Simmons acted with gross negligence and used excessive force when killing Lynch.

Lynch, one of two people killed that night in addition to eight others being injured, did not speak or act in any way that suggested that he posed “any threat, let alone a deadly threat, to Officer Simmons or anyone else,” the lawsuit says. The complaint states:

Upon information and belief, it was while Mr. Lynch and Mr. Marsh were walking towards their cars that they encountered Officer Simmons. Immediately, unlawfully, and without warning, Officer Simmons fired his police-issued firearm at Mr. Lynch, shooting him twice and Killing him. 24. At the time of his death, Mr. Lynch was 6’5” and weighed 305 Ibs. A former offensive lineman for the University of Virginia College at Wise, he stood out due to his enormous size. He was unmistakable as anyone else.” [MORE]

Lynch’s shooting occurred on a warm March night near the city’s crowded boardwalk, which is lined with restaurants and hotels. The evening dissolved into chaos after separate outbreaks of gunfire. At least eight people were wounded and one woman, who was believed to be a bystander, was killed.

Lynch, 25, a former college football player, was at a nightclub with his friend when a shooting occurred outside, the lawsuit stated. The men left and walked toward their cars when they encountered Simmons.

“Immediately, unlawfully and without warning, officer Simmons fired his police-issued firearm at Mr. Lynch, shooting him twice and killing him,” the lawsuit states.

In November 2021, a special grand jury found that Simmons was justified. Authorities said Lynch had a gun and racked a round into the chamber before pointing his weapon toward a parking lot filled with people and police.

Tuesday’s joint statement said more has been learned “about the facts of that fateful night and encounter.”

“(W)e have come to understand that a series of unfortunate occurrences led to Donovon’s death that night — which in hindsight should never have occurred as it was later determined that neither Donovon nor the officer set in motion the events that transpired,” the statement said. In other words, we will keep nghrs anytime we want and there is nothing you can do about it.