The family of Samuel DuBose, the man who was fatally shot by a University of Cincinnati police officer, and the University of Cincinnati have reached a $5.3 million settlement, consisting of two parts: $4.85 million to be paid up front, and a free undergraduate education for DuBose's 12 surviving children, valued at $500,000, according to a statement from the DuBose family.
In addition to monetary fees, UC President Santa Ono will issue a public apology to the family for DuBose's death, while UC itself will work with the family to erect a memorial for DuBose on campus and send an invitation to the family to participate in the Community Advisory Committee meetings, a focal point for community input on police reform, according to Cincinnati radio station WVXU.
The full family statement reads in part: "Jan 16, 2016, Cincinnati, Ohio. The family of Samuel DuBose has settled its claims with the University of Cincinnati. Mr. DuBose was shot and killed during a traffic stop by University of Cincinnati Police Department (UCPD) Officer Ray Tensing on July 19, 2015. After his death, the family and University of Cincinnati officials have met regularly to address areas of concern and work cooperatively toward rebuilding trust between the UCPD and the local Black community," according to NBC's Cincinnati affiliate WLWT-TV.
DuBose died after he was shot in the head by officer Ray Tensing during a traffic stop a few blocks away from campus on July 19, 2015. The shooting sparked controversy not just because it was another incident in which a white cop killed an "unarmed black man" but also because of the nature of the shooting and the differing accounts associated with it.
At the time, Tensing alleged the shooting was justified because DuBose had tried to run him over. He stated as much in a call with the dispatcher shortly after the shooting, saying, "I'm not injured. I almost got ran over by the car. He took off on me. I discharged one round, struck the man in the head."
A police incident report only added to his claim and reads in part: "Officer Tensing stated that he almost was run over by the driver of the Honda Accord and was forced to shoot the driver with his duty weapon." It continues, "Officer Tensing stated that he fired a single shot. Officer Tensing repeated that he was being dragged by the vehicle and had to fire his weapon."
However, a bodycam video revealed that Tesing's account of the event was inaccurate. It showed that while there was a brief struggle, allegedly caused by DuBose reaching for his seatbelt, DuBose was shot almost immediately. Prosecutors and others who viewed the video likened it to an execution.
Tensing was placed on administrative leave and has been charged with murder, but a court date hasn't been set.
In the meantime, Tensing's lawyer, Stewart Mathews, has asked that the trial be moved to another county due to fears of a biased jury.
