The family of Breonna Taylor is to receive a $12 million settlement and institute changes aimed at preventing any similar deaths occurring in the future at the hands of the police.
“Her death has ignited a movement in Louisville and the nation for racial justice, sending thousands into our streets and cities all across the country and the world all crying out for justice for Breonna,” Mayor Greg Fischer said at a Tuesday afternoon press conference.
The settlement comes six months after Taylor was killed inside her apartment as police officers executed a “no-knock” search warrant. The settlement will be the highest-ever paid out by the city of Lousiville.
Fischer said Brett Hankison, one of three officers involved, would lose his badge and that other officers involved have been placed on administrative leave. He offered no further details on Hankison’s firing.
“Unfortunately, due to a provision in state law that I very much would like to see changed, both the Chief and I are precluded from talking about what brought us to this moment, or even the timing of this decision,” he said.
Lonita Baker, one of the Taylor family’s attorneys, called the settlement against the officers “tremendous.”
“When officers cause the death of an individual, it is imperative that we seek justice not only in the criminal system but also in our civil system,” Baker said at the press conference. “But it’s important to know here that a financial settlement was nonnegotiable without significant police reform.”
No officers have been charged for her murder.
