California Highway Patrol Excessive Force Suit Settled for $2.5M

The state has agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle an excessive-force lawsuit filed by a man who was shot by California Highway Patrol officers at the end of a pursuit.

The San Jose Mercury News reports the state offered the settlement Tuesday, the first day of trial.

The officer who shot James Henry Ligon Jr. in 2012 testified that Ligon stepped out of his car and charged directly at him, shouting threats.

Ligon’s lawyers said the problem Officer Joe Lafauci’s account was it did not match the physical evidence in the case. Ligon was shot four times in the back, suggesting he was not coming at the officer.

The state Attorney General’s Office, which defended Lafauci, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Ligon says he feels justice has been served.