The city of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $9.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the family of Melyda Corado, who was fatally shot by police during a shootout at a Trader Joe’s store in 2018. Corado, who was an assistant manager at the store, was caught in the crossfire when a gunman, who had shot his grandmother and kidnapped his girlfriend, ran inside the store while being chased by police. The family’s attorneys alleged civil rights violations and wrongful death, stating that Corado’s death could have been prevented if the officers had followed their training to consider the dangers posed to bystanders when using deadly force.
The Los Angeles Police Commission determined that the officer who fired the fatal shot did not violate department policy, stating that the officers acted reasonably because they believed the gunman presented an immediate threat of injury or death. However, Neil Gehlawat, the attorney for Corado’s family, argued that the officers failed to consider the risks to bystanders and should have taken different measures to avoid shooting Corado. The City Attorney’s Office has not yet responded to requests for comment on the settlement. The incident took place on July 21, 2018, in the Silver Lake neighborhood, where the gunman took dozens of people hostage before surrendering to police.
The lawsuit filed by Corado’s father and brother in November 2018 sought accountability for her death and alleged that the officers involved did not follow proper protocol in using deadly force. The settlement of $9.5 million represents a significant sum paid by the city of Los Angeles to the family of the victim. The case highlights the ongoing debate around police use of force and the need for officers to consider the safety of bystanders in high-stress situations. The tragic incident at the Trader Joe’s store serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of police actions in dynamic and unpredictable situations.
While the officers involved in the shootout were cleared of any wrongdoing by the Los Angeles Police Commission, the settlement reached with Corado’s family suggests that there were concerns about the handling of the situation. The case raises questions about the training and protocols followed by law enforcement officers in responding to armed suspects in public places. The $9.5 million settlement is intended to provide some measure of closure and justice for the family of Melyda Corado, who lost her life in a tragic and avoidable incident. Moving forward, the city of Los Angeles may face increased scrutiny and calls for reform in how officers handle similar situations to prevent further loss of life.
