By Brendan O’Brien

(Reuters) – Andrew Brown Jr. was killed in a shooting accident in North Carolina in 2021. The family has settled a suit and will pay $3,000,000 to Andrew Brown Jr.’s estate.

Brown, 42 year old, ran from a morning raid in Elizabeth City (North Carolina) on April 21, 2021. Elizabeth City is a riverfront town where Black residents make up just over half the population.

This killing sparked national concern about the use of force by police against Black Americans. This killing occurred just one day after Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer was convicted in the shooting death of George Floyd.

Brown’s relatives filed a federal civil right lawsuit in July 2021 against Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten. The deputies were initially asking for $30 million.

“I am aware that no words can alleviate your suffering. Wooten made the following statement: “I do extend my deepest sympathy and compassion to your family, as you grieve Andrew Brown Jr.’

In the same statement, lawyers for Brown’s family stated that they will be paying the money to Brown’s kids.

“While no settlement could ever fill the hole his death left in their hearts, this agreement is about providing for those children’s futures,” they said.

Andrew Womble Pasquotank County District attorney declined to prosecute deputies because they feared for the safety of their lives after Brown drove his car towards them. Brown was being held on suspicion selling cocaine.

Brown was declared dead by the county medical examiner. His family requested a second autopsy. It revealed that Brown was shot in the head with a bullet.