SEATTLE — A jury found the city liable for the 2020 shooting death of a 16-year-old boy at a protest site, ordering the city to pay over $30 million in damages. The verdict, delivered after 12 days of deliberation, concluded that the city’s negligence in its emergency response contributed significantly to the death of Antonio Mays Jr., who was shot while at the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest (CHOP) zone during a period marked by nationwide demonstrations for racial justice.
The jury’s decision stems from the circumstances surrounding Mays’ shooting, which occurred on June 29, 2020, amid escalating tensions following the killing of George Floyd. Testimony revealed that emergency responders did not enter the occupy zone, prompting bystanders to transport Mays in a private vehicle in an attempt to secure medical assistance. Witnesses reported struggling to flag down an ambulance that ultimately left the scene, delaying arrival of medical help by approximately 24 minutes. Family attorneys argued that earlier intervention might have saved Mays’ life, particularly if his airway had been cleared in a timely manner.
Mays sustained a serious head injury during the shooting. The city contended that he was unlikely to have survived the incident regardless of the response time. The jury awarded $4 million to Mays’ estate and $26 million to his father, Antonio Mays Sr., who expressed his emotional relief upon hearing the verdict.
The CHOP zone, which became a focal point for protests in June 2020, spanned eight city blocks and emerged after the police department abandoned a precinct in the area. Amidst the protests, demonstrators voiced their frustrations over systemic racism and police brutality. However, this temporary zone also experienced significant incidents of violence, including Mays’ death, leading to the eventual dismantling of CHOP by city officials.
The shooting occurred while Mays was inside a stolen white Jeep, which had a 14-year-old passenger. Though a livestream from the scene documented the chaotic aftermath, it did not capture the shooter. Witnesses alleged that armed individuals guarding the protest barricades fired at the vehicle. To date, no arrests have been made in connection with the case.
Prior to traveling to Seattle from southern California, Mays left a note for his father expressing a desire to contribute to the civil rights movement. Distressed by his absence, Mays Sr. filed a missing persons report days after discovering the note, only to learn that his son had been shot less than a week later. The other teen injured in the incident managed to survive and received medical treatment.
In court, King County Superior Court Judge Sean O’Donnell ruled against the city presenting a defense based on allegations that Mays had committed a felony by stealing the Jeep. Even if this were established, the judge indicated that there was insufficient evidence linking the theft to the circumstances of Mays’ death.
In a statement following the verdict, the city attorney’s office described Mays’ death as a tragic incident and indicated that it is evaluating its legal options moving forward. The jury’s findings spotlight ongoing concerns about police response and accountability in chaotic environments, particularly during civil unrest.