Iowa man receives $8 million settlement after being shot and paralyzed by police

A man in Iowa received an $8 million settlement after being shot by police in 2016 left him paralyzed.

The City of Cedar Rapids’ settlement with Jerime Mitchell was reached Monday, according to The Associated Press.

Mitchell was shot by officer Lucas Jones during a traffic stop after he was asked to get out of the car due to the smell of marijuana, AP reported.

After a police dog engaged him, Mitchell got in his truck and began to drive away.

As he was driving away, Jones fired three shots, one of which hit Mitchell in the neck, leaving him immediately paralyzed and unable to control the vehicle.

In a statement shared with The Hill on Wednesday, the city said that its insurance carrier, States Insurance, agreed to pay the settlement “with no acknowledgement of fault or liability on the part of Defendants.”

The city further said that its attorneys, as well as Mitchell’s, were ready to go to trial, but States Insurance determined that the settlement would be in the best interest of the city. The trial was expected to begin Tuesday.

The statement pointed out that a grand jury in Linn County declined to indict Jones on after a criminal investigation, and that an internal review by the city found that Jones acted properly given the circumstances.

“This case has been divisive to our community and it is our hope that we can continue to enhance relationships that build trust between our community and our Police Department. We all share the desire for a safe community,” the statement said.

According to a local NBC affiliate, Jones was fired in June for “violating policy” in another traffic stop that occurred days before Mitchell was shot.

Speaking to ABC affiliate KCRG, Mitchell said that no amount of money could replace having a normal life again. 

“It doesn’t matter how much money I get,” he said. “It will never replace. I would love to have my arms and legs again.”