On Tuesday (Dec. 13), City council approved the settlement with Donovon Lynch family in their wrongful death lawsuit for his late cousin. The settlement is for $3 million. Donovon Lynch was shot and killed by a police officer in Virginia Beach on March 26, 2020.
The shooting of Donovon Lynch sparked outrage and protests in Virginia Beach, as many felt that it was yet another example of police brutality against an unarmed Black man. The city’s police chief eventually resigned over the incident, and an independent investigation found that the officers involved had violated department policy.
The officer, who has not been named, was responding to a report of gunfire in the area when he came across Lynch and another man. The officer ordered both men to put their hands up, but Lynch reportedly did not comply and reached for his waistband. Fearing that Lynch was armed, the officer shot him. No weapon was found on Lynch or at the scene. The shooting sparked outrage in the community and led to protests calling for justice for Donovon.
This is a major victory for the family and hopefully will help bring some closure to this tragic incident. It is also a strong reminder that police brutality and racial injustice are still very real problems in our society. We must continue to fight for change and demand accountability from our government and law enforcement officials.
