Family of Maryland woman shot during police standoff settles wrongful death suit for $3 million
The family of a Maryland woman who was killed by a police officer inside her apartment has settled a wrongful death lawsuit for $3 million, more than 5 years after the deadly shooting that also left her young child injured.
Korryn Gaines, a Black mother of two, was fatally shot inside her Randallstown home amid an hours-long standoff with Baltimore County Police Officers the night of Aug. 1, 2016. According to the Baltimore Sun, she posted several videos and livestreams to social media before she was fatally struck by Officer Royce Ruby.
Gaines’ son, Kody, then 5 years old, was shot in the elbow and face and underwent several surgeries for his injuries.
Police at the time were at the apartment to execute a traffic warrant and managed to obtain a key from her landlord when no one answered the door. After the incident, Baltimore County Officers testified Gaines was armed with a shotgun and that Ruby had no choice but to shoot.
In 2018, a county jury awarded the Gaines family about $38 million, most of which — $32 million — was for Kodi, but the following year it was overturned by a county judge, who concluded Ruby acted reasonably amid the standoff.
The Maryland Court of Special Appeals in July 2020 ruled the judge improperly set aside the jury’s verdict and remanded the case back to the circuit court for further proceedings, including to finalize the monetary damages.
The boy’s lawyer, Kenneth Ravenell, emphasized the legal battle is still ongoing.
“Kodi is now physically and mentally scarred for life,” Ravenell told WJZ.
He added that the family is also committed to pursuing criminal charges against the officer who fired the fatal shot. Prosecutors concluded the shooting was justified in 2016 and declined to charge the Ruby.
