Why did San Diego pay $30 million for Konoa Wilson's death?

The city paid $30 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Konoa Wilson, who was fatally shot by a police officer.

What were the circumstances of Konoa Wilson's shooting?

Konoa Wilson was shot by Officer Daniel Gold while running away from another shooting incident at a train station.

Home / Crime and Justice / SDPD Pays $30M After Officer Kills Teen

SDPD Pays $30M After Officer Kills Teen

Q: Did the San Diego police officer admit fault in the Konoa Wilson settlement?

No, the city stated the $30 million settlement was a business decision and not an admission of liability by the officer or the department.

6 Dec, 2025

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Summary

City pays $30 million settlement in wrongful death lawsuit.
Officer fatally shot 16-year-old Konoa Wilson in the back.
Family alleged racial violence; city denies liability.

The city of San Diego has reached a $30 million settlement with the family of Konoa Wilson, a 16-year-old who was fatally shot by a police officer. This payout is among the largest in the U.S. for a police shooting, following a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Wilson's family. They alleged the shooting involved "racial violence" as Wilson was half Black.

Wilson was killed on January 28th when, while fleeing gunfire from another teenager at a train station, he ran past Officer Daniel Gold. Surveillance and body-worn camera footage showed Gold shooting Wilson in the back within seconds of encountering him. The lawsuit states Wilson did not threaten Gold, despite officers finding a gun on him after he was shot.

Attorneys for the family argued that Gold's perception of Wilson as a Black person contributed to the decision to shoot. The city stated the settlement was a business decision and not an admission of guilt or liability. The incident echoes other large settlements in cases of police misconduct.