Portland City Council approved a $600,000 settlement Wednesday in a wrongful death lawsuit over the Portland police killing of Terrell Johnson in 2017.
On May 10, 2017, Portland Police Officer Samson Ajir shot and killed Johnson, 24, at a MAX light rail station in Southeast Portland.
Portland Police shot and killed Terrell Johnson, 24, on May 10, 2017. The city has agreed to settle a civil lawsuit filed by the family for $600,000.
Oregon Justice Resource Center
At the time, Johnson was experiencing a mental health crisis, according to attorney Juan Chavez, who represents Johnson’s family. The city’s attorney has disputed that. Johnson had no formal mental health diagnosis at the time of his death, Chavez said.
Ajir left the police bureau after the killing for a position with another law enforcement agency, according to the Oregon Justice Resource Center.
Johnson’s family filed a civil lawsuit in 2019. The $600,000 settlement was reached in court in May. The settlement agreement means the city of Portland will not have to defend the officer’s actions in court.