A King County jury has ruled that the city of Seattle was negligent in its emergency response to the fatal June 29, 2020, shooting of 16‑year‑old Antonio Mays Jr. inside the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) zone, awarding over $30 million in damages to the teen’s estate and his father, Antonio Mays Sr.

After 12 days of deliberation, jurors concluded the city’s failure to deploy first responders promptly was a proximate cause in Mays Jr.’s death. The award splits between $4 million to his estate and $26 million to his father. The verdict follows testimony that medics refused to enter the protest zone, resulting in a 24‑minute delay before care reached Mays Jr. nearly a half‑hour post‑shooting. Witnesses who attempted to flag down an ambulance said it drove away, forcing them to meet EMS in a parking lot instead. Plaintiff attorneys argued that more immediate airway management might have saved his life, while the defense maintained that the head wound was unsurvivable. The court barred the city from arguing Mays Jr.’s alleged involvement in a felony (car theft) as a defense. The city attorney’s office called the tragedy deeply regrettable and is reportedly weighing its legal options regarding appeal.

Why this matters locally: While the shooting occurred in Seattle, the precedent this verdict sets—holding a city civilly liable under a “state‑created danger” or emergency response negligence theory—resonates for all municipal governments, including those in Cowlitz County. Our local public safety agencies should examine emergency protocols, especially around large public gatherings or protest zones, to ensure response delays do not create preventable fatalities. The outcome reminds local officials that abdication of duty—even in chaotic circumstances—can lead to hefty legal and moral consequences.

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Sources:
Plain‑text reporting from the Associated Press via The Washington Post and original AP outlet provided comprehensive details including deliberation, cause‑effect findings, award breakdown, and appellate stance. Additional documentation from The Spokesman‑Review confirmed the jury’s findings of negligence and causation, as well as emotional courtroom moments. All reporting is based on court records, trial testimony, and official statements.