LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A tentative settlement of $2.2 million with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has been reached with the family of Tashii Farmer, according to their lawyer.
Farmer, also known as Tashii Brown, died in May 2017 after an encounter with former LVMPD officer Kenneth Lopera.
Timeline for Tashii Farmer death and lawsuit
Lopera reportedly tased Farmer repeatedly, punched him, and then put him into a rear naked chokehold, which is not a tactic approved by the police department.
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Lopera was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter, but a grand jury failed to indict him and the criminal case was ultimately thrown out.
A lawsuit was filed in 2017 against LVMPD. The lawsuit accused the police department of excessive force and gross negligence.
The settlement is believed to be the largest ever in a lawsuit alleging misconduct by the LVMPD.
The police department sent the following statement on Friday afternoon:
The parties went to mediation and reached an amicable resolution of the action filed by the Estate of Tashii Farmer against the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and former officer, Kenneth Lopera. The settlement will now go before the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Fiscal Affairs Committee for its approval. The Plaintiffs can be contacted through their attorneys for comment. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department cannot comment until action is taken on the tentative settlement agreement by the Fiscal Affairs Committee.
