Charlotte Settles Lawsuit Following Controversial Police Shooting
In a move that has pulled at the heartstrings of many in the community, the city of Charlotte has agreed to pay $700,000 to the girlfriend of a man who was tragically killed by police in a shooting that sparked widespread controversy. The settlement arrives just days ahead of a trial date, bringing an end to a legal battle that had reached as high as the U.S. Supreme Court.
A Night of Confusion and Tragedy
Back in September of 2017, the incident unfolded when Ruben Galindo Chavez called 911, admitting that he had an unloaded gun and wished to turn himself in for an upcoming court date. In a call filled with urgency, Galindo even requested a Spanish-speaking officer to assist him, making it clear he was in crisis, stating emphatically, “No tengo balas” – that is, “I don’t have bullets.”
As per dispatch records, Galindo complied with the operator’s suggestion to put the gun away before police arrived. However, things took a tragic turn when the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department responded to the call. Officer David Guerra, along with his colleagues, arrived on the scene, but none were fluent in Spanish. They barked out commands in English, telling Galindo to show his hands with a simple one-word directive: “manos.”
What Happened Next?
Galindo exited his apartment with his hands raised high in the air, the unloaded gun clutched in one of them—a moment that was captured on body camera footage. Despite his clear intent to surrender, Officer Guerra opened fire, tragically taking Galindo’s life while he was attempting to demonstrate compliance. The ensuing fallout was immense, igniting protests at the Charlotte City Council and sparking concerns regarding police conduct and crisis response.
A Long Legal Journey
In the aftermath, Officer Guerra faced no criminal charges, but he was named in a civil lawsuit filed by Galindo’s girlfriend in 2019. Initially, a federal judge ruled the shooting was “reasonable,” but this decision was not accepted by Galindo’s girlfriend, who chose to appeal.
In a surprising turn of events, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals overruled the previous judgment, stating that the body camera footage clearly showed that Galindo was raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. Their decision gathered attention and reflected the ongoing discourse about the use of lethal force by police officers.
The Supreme Court Gets Involved
Before the case could go to trial this week, the city made another attempt to have the appellate ruling overturned by the Supreme Court. However, the justices decided not to take on the case, leaving the 4th Circuit’s ruling intact and setting the stage for the recent settlement announcement.
What Does This Mean for Charlotte?
The city of Charlotte hopes that this settlement will bring some closure for the loved ones of Ruben Galindo Chavez, while also shining a light on the complexities involved in police-community interactions, especially with language barriers. This case raises important questions about how officers can better respond to individuals in crisis, ensuring that misunderstandings and tragic outcomes like this one can be minimized in the future.
As the community processes this event and the settlement, many are left contemplating the profound impacts that this tragedy has had, reflecting on the need for improved training and communication within law enforcement. Only time will tell how Charlotte will move forward, striving to create a more understanding and inclusive environment for all its residents.
