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City of Charlotte reaches $1.5 million settlement in CMPD shooting death of father

The city of Charlotte settled a lawsuit with the family of Danquirs Franklin, who was shot and killed by a CMPD officer in March 2019.

The city of Charlotte has reached a $1.5 million settlement with the family of Danquirs Franklin, a man who was shot and killed by a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer in 2019, the family announced Thursday. 

Franklin died on March 25, 2019, after he was shot by CMPD officer Wende Kerl outside a Burger King during a reported armed robbery. When Kerl arrived at the Burger King, body camera footage showed Franklin kneeling next to a car with a person inside. Kerl ordered Franklin to drop his weapon multiple times before opening fire when she perceived a threat, investigators said. 

"I wear his ring with me since the day he died," Franklin's sister said. "I just thank God that our family is finally going to get some closure and to clear his name because he was such a wonderful guy," Franklin's sister said. "Every family says that about their children, but he was such a wonderful, loving guy. Never met a stranger, just so kind and generous."

Attorney Luke Largess said the money will be distributed to Franklin's three children, who are 9, 10 and 12 years old.

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The district attorney announced he would not seek charges against Kerl in the shooting. However, Charlotte's Citizens Review Board unanimously voted that the shooting should not have been deemed as "justified" and Franklin's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit that was dismissed by a federal judge.

An appeals court ruled in favor of Franklin's family, reversing a federal judge's decision to grant Kerl qualified immunity in the shooting. This entitled the family to a jury trial over the use of force in the case. Now, that case will not go to trial due to the settlement. 

"The anger that was felt four years ago has been replaced almost entirely by sadness," Largess said. "We appreciate the willingness of the city to settle this case. The money will be very helpful to the children. It will not replace their father, he is gone."

   

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