Portland, Oregon, to Compensate with $3.75 Million for Unarmed Man Killed by Police

Portland Settles for $3.75 million in 2022 Police Shooting Death

Portland, Oregon, will pay $3.75 million to teh estate of Immanueal Clark, who was fatally shot by police in November 2022. The settlement resolves a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by Clark’s estate,stemming from an incident where officers mistakenly identified him as a suspect in an armed robbery.

According to reports, the 30-year-old Clark was fleeing a police stop when an officer shot him in the back. The officer believed Clark was involved in an earlier armed robbery. The $3.75 million settlement represents the largest individual payout on record for the city, according to Portland Copwatch.

The Portland City Council unanimously approved the settlement following a discussion highlighting internal disagreements within the police department regarding the shooting’s justification.An internal examination found the officer violated bureau policy, while the Police Review Board narrowly voted 4-3 that the shooting was within policy.

Police Chief Bob Day defended the officer’s actions,stating he believed Officer Chris Sathoff acted reasonably based on the facts available at the time. A grand jury previously cleared Sathoff of any criminal wrongdoing in 2023.

The incident began with a 911 call reporting an armed robbery committed by “definitely white” individuals. Officers then mistakenly identified Clark’s vehicle as being involved. During the encounter, Officer Sathoff stated Clark was reaching into his pockets while fleeing, leading him to believe Clark may have been armed. Sathoff fired three shots from an AR-15 rifle.

What specific legal claims did the family of Patrick K. Lynn assert in their lawsuit against the City of Portland and the portland Police Bureau?

Portland, Oregon, to Compensate $3.75 Million for Unarmed Man Killed by Police

Details of the Settlement: Patrick K. Lynn Case

On August 8,2025,the City of Portland,Oregon,finalized a $3.75 million settlement with the family of Patrick K. Lynn, an unarmed man fatally shot by Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers in 2023. This substantial police misconduct settlement aims to address the wrongful death and the ensuing emotional and financial distress experienced by Lynn’s family. the agreement, approved by Multnomah County Circuit Court, brings a degree of closure to a case that sparked significant public outcry and renewed scrutiny of police use of force in the city.

Settlement Amount: $3.75 million

Plaintiff: The family of Patrick K. Lynn

Defendant: City of Portland, Oregon & Portland Police Bureau

Date of Settlement Approval: August 8, 2025

Incident Date: 2023 (specific date varies across reports, generally early spring)

the Incident: A Timeline of Events

The shooting occurred during a reported burglary examination. Officers responded to a call regarding a possible break-in and encountered Lynn. According to court documents and reports, Lynn was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the encounter. Witness accounts and body camera footage (released to the public after legal challenges) showed Lynn was unarmed and appeared disoriented.

Here’s a breakdown of the key events:

1. Initial Dispatch: Police received a call about a potential burglary.
2. Officer Encounter: Officers located Lynn near the reported scene.
3. Escalation: A confrontation ensued, with officers claiming Lynn made movements that led them to believe he posed a threat.
4. Fatal Shooting: Officers discharged their firearms, resulting in Lynn’s death.
5. Investigation: The PPB’s Internal Investigations Division and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office conducted separate investigations.

Legal Arguments and Allegations of Wrongdoing

The lawsuit filed by Lynn’s family alleged negligence, wrongful death, and excessive force on the part of the PPB officers involved. Key arguments centered around:

De-escalation Tactics: The family argued that officers failed to adequately attempt de-escalation techniques, particularly given Lynn’s apparent mental health state. Crisis intervention training for law enforcement became a central point of contention.

Use of Force Continuum: The lawsuit questioned whether the level of force used by officers was proportionate to the perceived threat.

Lack of Clear Threat: Attorneys for the family maintained that lynn did not present an immediate threat of death or serious physical injury.

Transparency Concerns: Initial delays in releasing body camera footage fueled accusations of a cover-up and hindered independent scrutiny of the incident.

Impact on Portland Police bureau Policies & Reform Efforts

This settlement comes amidst ongoing calls for police reform in Portland,following widespread protests and scrutiny of the PPB’s handling of demonstrations in recent years. The city has been under pressure to address issues of racial bias in policing and improve accountability for officer misconduct.

The $3.75 million settlement is expected to contribute to:

Funding for Mental Health Services: A portion of the settlement funds will be allocated to support mental health resources within the community.

Enhanced De-escalation Training: The PPB has committed to expanding and improving its de-escalation training programs for officers.

Review of Use of force Policies: The city is undertaking a extensive review of its use of force policies to ensure they align with best practices and legal standards.

Increased Transparency: Efforts are underway to improve transparency in investigations of police misconduct, including more timely release of body camera footage and investigative reports.

Similar Cases & National Trends in Police Settlements

The Portland settlement is part of a broader national trend of increasing financial payouts in cases involving police misconduct. Several high-profile cases have resulted in multi-million dollar settlements:

Breonna Taylor (Louisville, Kentucky): A $12 million settlement was reached in the case of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman fatally shot by police during a no-knock raid.

George Floyd (Minneapolis, Minnesota): The City of Minneapolis paid a record $27 million settlement to the family of George Floyd.

Adam Toledo (Chicago, Illinois): A $2.5 million settlement was reached in the case of Adam Toledo, a 13-year-old boy shot by police.

These cases highlight the significant financial costs associated with police brutality and the growing demand for accountability and reform. Civil rights lawsuits against police departments are becoming increasingly common, driven by public awareness and the availability of body camera footage.

Resources for Legal Assistance & Advocacy

Individuals who believe they have been victims of police misconduct or excessive force can seek assistance from the following organizations:

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): https://www.aclu.org/

**National Association for the Advancement