Ohio city to pay family of Andre Hill, unarmed black man killed by police, record $12.9 million settlement

Mr Hill's shooting came seven months after the death of George Floyd and sparked a fresh wave of protests against racial injustice and police brutality.

Attorney Ben Crump stands with members of Andre Hill's family, including daughter Karissa Hill and sister Shawna Barnett, during a press conference.

Attorney Ben Crump stands with members of Andre Hill's family during a press conference. Source: AAP

The US city of Columbus, Ohio, has reached a $12.9 million AUD ($10 million USD) settlement with the family of an unarmed black man who was killed by a police officer last year.

Andre Hill, 47, was shot dead on 22 December by Columbus police officer Adam Coy.

Mr Coy, who is white, was subsequently dismissed from the police force and faces murder charges.

Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein said the settlement is the largest in the history of the midwestern city.

"We understand that because of this former officer's actions, the Hill family will never be whole," Mr Klein said in a statement.
Andre Hill, fatally shot by Columbus police on December 22, is memorialised on a shirt worn by his daughter, Karissa Hill.
Andre Hill memorialised on a shirt worn by his daughter, Karissa Hill. Source: AAP
"No amount of money will ever bring Andre Hill back to his family, but we believe this is an important and necessary step in the right direction."

Attorneys for the Hill family thanked the city for "doing the right thing" by reaching the settlement and agreeing to name a community center gymnasium after Hill.

"Now all those involved can begin to heal," they said in a statement.
Mr Hill was in the garage of a house when Mr Coy and another officer arrived on the scene in response to a minor complaint.

Seconds before Mr Coy opened fire, bodycam footage shows Mr Hill walking towards the policeman holding a cell phone in his left hand, while his other hand cannot be seen.

Mr Hill's shooting came seven months after the death of George Floyd and sparked a fresh wave of protests against racial injustice and police brutality.

Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder last month for Mr Floyd's death and is to be sentenced in June.

The city of Minneapolis reached a $34.7 million AUD ($27 million USD) settlement with Mr Floyd's family ahead of Chauvin's trial.


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Source: AFP, SBS


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