Family Of Donovon Lynch Reaches Settlement With Virginia Beach Over Police Shooting
The family of Donovon Lynch, a 25-year-old who was fatally shot by police in March 2021, settled with the City of Virginia Beach.
According to WAVY, the Lynch family will receive $3 million for their wrongful death lawsuit, which was filed in June 2021. The City of Virginia Beach and the estate of Donovon Lynch said in a joint statement: “As we have learned more over time about the facts of that fateful night and encounter, we have come to understand that a series of unfortunate occurrences led to Donovon’s death that night – which in hindsight should never have occurred as it was later determined that neither Donovon nor the officer set in motion the events that transpired.”
The statement continued, “We understand that the settlement will in no way lessen the grief and loss for the Lynch family. The City’s ongoing support for its public safety personnel and its investment in officer education and technological advancements underscores the City’s commitment to providing greater transparency.”
Wayne Lynch, Donovan’s father, also said in a separate statement, “We’ve come a long way for this fight for justice for Donovon Lynch. I’m here to tell you we have justice for Donovon Lynch.” The Lynch family was represented by the former lieutenant governor of Virginia, attorney Justin Fairfax.
According to The New York Daily News, officer Solomon D. Simmons, who is Black, was responding to a separate shooting incident at a Virginia Beach club on March 26. Lynch and his friend, Darrion Marsh were leaving the area when they crossed paths with the officer. Homicide detective findings claimed Lynch was “brandishing a handgun at the time of the shooting.” However, Wayne Lynch told The Washington Post that his son, who sometimes worked security, had a legal firearm but was not “brandishing.” Bad Girls star Deshayla E. Harris was also killed during the shooting Simmons was responding to; her murder remains unsolved.
A grand jury declined to charge Officer Simmons with Donovan’s death.
Pharrell Williams, who is a relative of Lynch, has not made any statement about the settlement. In March 2021, Williams posted a tribute to his cousin on Instagram, which read, “The loss of these lives is a tragedy beyond measure. My cousin Donovon was killed during the shootings. He was a bright light and someone who always showed up for others. It is critical my family and the other victims’ families get the transparency, honesty and justice they deserve.”
The settlement money is expected to go to the Donovon Lynch Foundation.
