News Summary
San Diego has agreed to an $875,000 settlement in a lawsuit filed by Marcus Evans, an unarmed man shot with bean bag rounds by police. The settlement follows allegations of civil rights violations and excessive force during the encounter on Duluth Avenue. Evans suffered serious injuries, including a broken leg, and his case has highlighted concerns about police conduct and accountability in the city. The incident and settlement have triggered public scrutiny regarding the use of force by law enforcement, particularly in racial contexts.
San Diego has reached an $875,000 settlement in a federal lawsuit involving an unarmed man shot with bean bag rounds by police. The lawsuit was brought forth by Marcus Evans, who alleged that officers violated his civil rights during a police encounter on October 24, 2024. During the incident, Evans was unarmed with his hands in the air when he was shot multiple times with bean bag rounds; a police dog was also deployed against him.
The San Diego City Council voted 6-1 to approve the settlement during a closed meeting in July 2025, then finalized the agreement in a subsequent public session. The settlement is a response to the serious injuries Evans sustained, including a broken leg, which he claims resulted from excessive use of force by the police. A freelance news videographer captured footage of the encounter, which has brought increased attention to the case.
Evans filed the lawsuit in March 2025, naming the city of San Diego, Police Chief Scott Wahl, and nearly two dozen individual officers as defendants. The lawsuit argues that the police’s actions reflect broader issues of racial bias within the San Diego Police Department and asserts that the passive resistance displayed by Evans should not have warranted such a forceful response.
The incident that led to the lawsuit started with a 911 call about a man with a gun threatening a woman at a home on Duluth Avenue in the Encanto neighborhood. Upon arrival, officers instructed the occupants to come out of the home, and three people complied while keeping their arms raised. Evans exited the residence barefoot and shirtless, wearing basketball shorts, and questioned the police about their presence, even while following commands to raise his hands.
As he sat on a retaining wall, Evans was struck in the stomach by a bean bag round without warning. Following this initial shot, police fired several more bean bag rounds, ultimately injuring his leg. Additionally, officers released a police dog multiple times during the confrontation, which led to further injuries on his arm. Throughout the encounter, Evans repeatedly asked the officers why he was being shot and mentioned that he might seek legal action against them.
Importantly, Evans was not charged with any crime following the incident, and he received medical treatment for his injuries at a local hospital. Currently, the San Diego Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit is conducting an ongoing investigation into the use of force during this encounter.
In a separate legal action, the First Amendment Coalition has filed a lawsuit against the city for allegedly failing to comply with the California Public Records Act regarding access to body-worn camera footage from the incident. This adds another layer of complexity to an ongoing situation that raises significant questions about police conduct and accountability in San Diego.
The settlement of $875,000 comes as part of the city’s efforts to address the concerns raised by Evans and the ensuing civil suit, as well as to mitigate potential further litigation. Public outcry and scrutiny surrounding police practices continue to grow in light of this incident, highlighting ongoing debates regarding the appropriateness and implications of police force, particularly in racial contexts. The situation serves as a critical reminder of the need for accountability and transparency within law enforcement agencies.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Union Tribune: San Diego to Pay $875K to Unarmed Man
- Google Search: San Diego police bean bag rounds
- CBS8: San Diego Approves $875K Payout
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Police brutality
- Fox 5 San Diego: Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit
- Google News: San Diego police accountability
- NBC San Diego: Officer Harassment Suit
- CBS8: San Diego Set to Pay $875K
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
