Lawsuit Filed Against San Diego Officer Following Fatal Shooting

News Summary

The parents of Konoa Wilson, a 16-year-old fatally shot by Officer Daniel Gold II, have filed a lawsuit alleging excessive force. The incident occurred while Wilson attempted to flee from gunfire. The lawsuit seeks punitive damages and claims violation of Wilson’s civil rights. The case has raised questions about police response and use-of-force policies, with the community in shock as they seek justice.

San Diego – The parents of Konoa Wilson, a 16-year-old boy who was fatally shot by a police officer, have filed a lawsuit against Officer Daniel Gold II and the city of San Diego. The lawsuit, which was submitted to the San Diego Superior Court on a Friday, alleges that Officer Gold used excessive force without any warning during the incident that occurred on January 28, 2023.

Konoa Wilson was shot at approximately 8:50 PM while attempting to flee from gunfire at the Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego. The altercation began when another individual pulled out a firearm and fired at Wilson while he was on the trolley platform. As Wilson ran toward Kettner Boulevard to escape the situation, Officer Gold, who was in the area responding to an unrelated assault report, allegedly shot him without properly assessing the situation.

According to the complaint filed by Wilson’s parents, Gold fired two shots at Wilson, striking him in the upper body. The lawsuit claims that the officer acted recklessly, as Wilson was only visible to him for a very brief moment. Nearby security camera footage corroborates that Wilson was running away from the conflict, leading expert consultant Roger Clark to conclude that Wilson posed no threat at that moment.

After being shot, Konoa Wilson was transported to UC San Diego Medical Center but was pronounced dead less than an hour later. Additional police reports indicated that a concealed handgun was later discovered under his clothing by officers who were attempting CPR. Despite this finding, the lawsuit emphasizes that Wilson did not brandish the weapon nor threaten Gold or anyone else during the incident.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified punitive damages and claims that Officer Gold’s actions violated Wilson’s civil rights under the Fourth and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. The parents have expressed their grief, describing Konoa as a “loving, peaceful human” who was well-loved by family and friends. They believe his life was tragically cut short due to the actions of the police officer.

Following the shooting, security footage was released by the police, depicting Wilson screaming and collapsing after being struck. The video evidence is crucial in highlighting the context of the incident and the moments leading up to the fatal shooting. Lt. Travis Easter of the San Diego Police Department stated that the department cannot provide further comments due to the ongoing investigation, but confirmed that Officer Gold remains employed, albeit off-duty during this time.

Additionally, it was reported that the individual who originally fired at Wilson was a 16-year-old and was arrested shortly after the incident. The dynamics of the situation have raised questions about police response capabilities and protocol in scenarios involving potential threats.

As the lawsuit progresses, it will seek to establish accountability for the actions taken by Officer Gold and the city. The case highlights broader issues of use-of-force policies within police departments and calls for a reassessment of how law enforcement manages confrontations involving firearms.

The community remains in shock from the event, and the legal proceedings may bring to light further scrutiny of police practices in San Diego as they seek justice for Konoa Wilson.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Mistrial Declared in Case of Former San Diego Deputy’s Shooting
Trial of Former San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy Under Scrutiny

Additional Resources

• NBC San Diego: Family of Teen Shot and Killed by Police Files Lawsuit
• San Diego Union-Tribune: Family of San Diego Teen Sues City
• Fox 5 San Diego: SDPDA Facing Excessive Force Lawsuit
• KENS 5: SAPD Shooting Lawsuit
• Wikipedia: Police Shooting