Family to Receive $2.4 Million in Wrongful Death Settlement Related to Alleged Police Shooting Death of Unarmed Teen Deven Guilford
On February 28, 2015, 17-year-old Deven Guilford was pulled over by a police officer for flashing his brights at the officer in Eaton County, Michigan. Guilford was argumentative and after a 5 minute 39 second exchange, the unarmed teen was lying dead in a snowy ditch. At the end of November 2017, a settlement was reached between Guilford’s family and Eaton County. The family will receive $2.4 million, ending the legal battle that has been going on since the alleged fatal police shooting occurred.
Guilford was pulled over by a sergeant with the Michigan State Police because of particularly bright high beams that he flashed at the police vehicle. The vehicle the sergeant was in did not have a dash cam. However, some of what transpired was caught on the teen’s audio on his phone. Guilford refused to provide the officer with his driver’s license, proof of insurance, or vehicle registration. The officer refused to provide his badge number. The officer had the teen lie on his stomach near his vehicle. During the process of handcuffing Guilford, the officer deployed his stun gun into the teen. After being tased with the stun gun, Guilford stood up. The two ended up in a ditch filled with snow. The officer claims to have been punched 10 times before ultimately firing 7 gunshots at Guilford. The teen died at the scene.
The family expressed their concern that the officer, who is still employed with the Michigan State Police, used unreasonable force under the circumstances. They said they pray that law enforcement will change and use a different approach.
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