Deputy Assaults Black Man Over Taillight Violation, Shoots Him; County Awards Family $3.5M Yet Retains Officer

Authorities in a southwestern Washington county have reached a $3.5 million settlement regarding a federal lawsuit lodged by the family of Jenoah Donald, a Black autistic man who was killed by a deputy during a 2021 traffic stop. The lawsuit, initiated by Donald's family in 2022, accused Clark County and its deputies of wrongful death, assault, negligence, and civil rights violations. Donald, 30, was pulled over for a faulty taillight amidst reports of "suspicious activity." During the encounter, Deputy Sean Boyle allegedly punched Donald while attempting to remove him from his vehicle. As the car shifted gears and moved forward, Boyle shot him twice, one bullet fatally wounding him. While Boyle maintained that his actions were justified, expert opinions suggest a pressing need for enhanced training in de-escalation methods, a sentiment echoed by family attorney Mark Lindquist.