The family of an 8-year-old girl who tragically lost her life due to police gunfire near a Pennsylvania high school football game in 2021 has reached a settlement in their lawsuit against a Philadelphia suburb, its police chief, and the three officers involved.
The settlement amounts to $11 million.
Fanta Bility met a devastating fate when police opened fire on a car in Pennsylvania's Sharon Hill Borough, as previously reported by CNN. The gunfire erupted following a verbal altercation among teenagers that escalated into a gunfight, according to official accounts. The shooting resulted in injuries to three others, including Fanta's 12-year-old sister, who was in the car at the time.
Three former police officers—Brian Devaney, Sean Dolan, and Devon Smith—were terminated from their positions and later sentenced to probation in connection to Fanta's tragic death in May. They pleaded guilty to charges of reckless endangerment.
Initially, they had faced manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter charges, but these charges were dropped as part of a plea agreement.
Siddiq Kamara, a spokesperson for the Bility family, expressed, "There is no amount of money that will ever bring Fanta back or erase the memory of the horrible tragedy that occurred on August 27, 2021, from our minds."
He added that with both the criminal and civil cases now resolved, the family aims to concentrate on the Fanta Bility Foundation, which was established on what would have been Fanta's 10th birthday. The foundation's mission is to ensure that Fanta's memory endures, advocate for police training, and provide support to families and children nationwide, as outlined on its nonprofit website.
It remains uncertain which officer discharged the fatal shot, as investigators were unable to determine this, according to the Delaware County District Attorney's office.
As part of the settlement, Sharon Hill Borough has committed to enhancing the training provided to its officers, particularly in matters related to the use of deadly force, according to a statement from the family's legal representatives.
The Borough of Sharon Hill issued a statement expressing that while this chapter has concluded, the community's hearts and spirit will be forever altered. They hope that the resolution of the lawsuit can offer some closure to those affected by the tragic events of that day.
Robert DiDomenicis, the attorney representing Sharon Hill, the three officers involved, and the police chief, has not provided an immediate response to requests for comment.
In another news, a suspect has been apprehended following the discovery of the lifeless body of the former assistant to the Duchess of York in a Dallas apartment. See detailed story here
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