D.C. to Settle in Off-Duty Cop's Fatal Shooting of 14-Year-Old

Updated at 5:11 p.m.

The District of Columbia has agreed to a "substantial" monetary settlement in the fatal shooting by an off-duty police officer of 14-year-old DeOnte Rawlings, according to a new court filing and the Rawlings family's attorney.

In a one-page notice (PDF) filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Thursday night, local solo practitioner Gregory Lattimer told the court that the two parties had reached a settlement. The details are confidential, but Lattimer said on Friday that the amount is "substantial" and reflects the "seriousness" of what happened.

In a statement, a representative of the D.C. attorney general's office said that the "settlement represents a fair and reasonable outcome."

"To avoid the uncertainty and unpleasantness of the ongoing litigation for the Rawlings family and the District of Columbia in the wake of this deeply unfortunate incident, we thought it was in the best interests of the public to resolve this matter amicably if possible," said Ariel Levinson-Waldman, senior counsel to the attorney general.

The notice comes two weeks after U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman ruled that the two off-duty police officers charged in the shooting couldn’t claim the immunity afforded to government employees acting in the course of their duties. Both sides were preparing for trial, which had been moved from Nov. 8 to January.

Rawlings’ father, Charles Rawlings, sued Metropolitan Police Department Officer James Haskel, a second officer and the District of Columbia in October 2007. Haskel fatally shot DeOnte Rawlings in September 2007 while trying to recover his stolen minibike, and claimed that Rawlings fired first.

Neither officer was on duty and they didn’t identify themselves as police officers when they approached Rawlings about the bike, according to the complaint. Both men were armed when they set out to look for the bike.

Charles Rawlings disputed that his son was carrying a gun, and no gun was recovered on the scene. In the Oct. 31 order, Friedman dismissed some claims but declined to dismiss the claim of conspiracy to commit assault and battery. He said it would be up to a jury to decide whether Haskel was the instigator or whether he was returning fire.

“It’s been a long, drawn-out process for the Rawlings family,” Lattimer said. “Taking all these things into account, Mr. Rawlings decided that it was time to bring some closure to it.”

A previous version of this article incorrectly listed Ariel Levinson-Waldman's last name.

Comments

[the kat]

I hear the house of rep passed a bill to day bi partisan no less, that will allow by federal law a concealed permit holder (say from NV) to carry that same concealed weapon in any state. Thanks DOJ and Local agency that let these killers skate. Now I have to get a permit in NV and carry a weapon (baby glock with 30 round clip /ak 47 with 75 round drum) so I can protect myself in DC OR ? to protect myself from killer cops. I want to live not leave my heirs a settlement.

[Harry D.]

I understand that the Firearms Expert / Ballistician in this case was from the Lowell, Massachusetts area. The defense attorney involved in this case had determined that the submitted expert reports were indisputable and had closed the case.

[Sakani Ogu]

I suspect the city settle the case because there was no way they could win it. There was an extensive investigation into this matter. I believe this to be true. Not to mention lots of media coverage.
The investigations found no evidence of Mr Rawlings having a gun or powder burns on his hands. No shell casings either. So how could the city justify his killing? There was simply no evidence he shot anything at anyone.
The killers however,violated every rule and regulation in MPD's handbook. There's no way the city could possibly defend their actions in a Civil Court.So the city was essentially forced to settle lest it lose a high profile case in which city employees killed and unarmed child.
The family desrves every penny!!

BDLthesolution

[Sam]

That sounds GOOD to me Mike!
Just SHUT UP & continue paying the City your taxes!
That part of your comment made the most Sense.

[Mike]

Officers James Edward Haskel and Anthony Clay were cleared of criminal wrongdoing by D.C. police and the U.S. attorney in 2008. So why was this $100M wrongful-death lawsuit against DC settled? Clearly it was settled because these officers were totally responsible in their duties and were completely innocents and bore no responsibility in hunting this 14-year old boy down and killing him. These officers got off "Scott Free" but yet DC residents have to pay a "substantial" amount of money to settle this wrongful-death lawsuit? But I guess it's not all bad: #1. One more worthless black boy dead and off the streets of DC, #2 These outstanding officers and pillars of the DC community are still employed as cops in DC to protect us all, and #3 The parents got paid lots of money to just move on. But some how I'm still thinking that the dead boy and the DC taxpayer were screwed in this situation. I guess I'm being selfish. I'll pay my DC taxes and shut up now.