Stephon Clark family settles remaining lawsuit with city of Sacramento

By CapRadio Staff

More than four years after Sacramento police officers fatally shot Stephon Clark in his grandparents’ South Sacramento backyard, the city has settled all lawsuits filed by the Clark family.

On Friday, the city of Sacramento announced it will pay $1.7 million to Clark’s parents. In 2019, a city settlement provided $2.4 million to Clark’s two children.

“The decision to resolve the case through a negotiated agreement comes after careful consideration of all options,” City Attorney Susana Alcala Wood wrote in a statement. “We believe this is the best path forward for all involved parties including our community.”

Stevante Clark, brother of Stephon Clark, told CapRadio he intends to discuss the settlement during an event at Stephon’s House on Friday evening.

Stephon Clark’s death on the night of Sunday, March 18, 2018, occurred when two Sacramento police officers pursued him into a Meadowview backyard after responding to a 9-1-1 call about vandalism in the area. Officers Terrence Mercadal and Jared Robinet fatally shot him after they thought Clark had pointed a gun. It was later found to be a cell phone, and it was discovered that Clark was in his grandparents backyard.

Clark’s death prompted weeks of protests in Sacramento and demonstrations across the country, and eventually law-enforcement “use-of-force” reforms at California’s Capitol. Sacramento County did not file criminal charges against Mercadal and Robinet.

On Friday, Mayor Darrell Steinberg wrote in a statement that “Stephon Clark’s death was a tragedy that brought pain and sorrow to his family and to our entire city,” and that “everyone wishes this heartbreaking event had not occurred.”

Clark’s death prompted reforms to the Sacramento Police Department, including new rules that changed how and when officers can pursue or chase suspects.