Arizona City Agrees To Settle Police Shooting Lawsuit

Flagstaff has agreed to a $225,000 settlement for the family of a 78-year-old Arizona man killed by police as he held his son at bay with a shotgun.

Kenneth Mitchell was holding the gun to his son’s head after the son had assaulted his mother with a knife in August 2010 Officer Roy Taylor opened fire, thinking he was stopping an execution.

The Arizona Daily Sun reports city officials said Friday they agreed to settle at request of their insurance carrier. They reiterated their support for the officer’s decision to use lethal force.

The city will pay $50,000 toward attorney costs and insurance will cover the settlement. The family filed a $5 million lawsuit in March 2011.

The 33-year-old son was sentenced to three years’ probation for attempted assault.