Settlements have been reached with the mother of a man killed in a 2011 police-involved shooting in Miami Beach as well as three bystanders who were injured in the gunfire, city officials said Tuesday.
Marcelline Azor, mother of Raymond Herisse, will receive $87,000 under the settlement. Sarah Garcia will receive $55,000, while Carlson St. Louis will receive $42,500. Cedrick Perkins will receive $15,000.
The shooting happened on the crowded streets of South Beach on Memorial Day weekend 2011. Police said they had no choice but to fire when the 22-year-old Herisse was driving erratically and putting the large crowd on Miami Beach in danger and also threatening the lives of the officers on the street as well.
His family contended that he never fired any weapon at police, yet they said 12 officers fired 116 bullets at his vehicle in a period of 15 seconds. Garcia, St. Louis and Perkins were in the area and were injured in the gunfire.
A firearm that was reported stolen in West Palm Beach was found wrapped in a T-shirt on the rear passenger floorboard of Herisse's car, according to a police report. Herisse was found to have a blood alcohol content of .14, and he was also found to have a suspended driver's license.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office declined to charge the officers involved.
The family’s attorney argued after filing a civil lawsuit against the city that the city was not forthcoming with the evidence in the case and didn’t present findings in a timely manner. Now no trial will take place as the city and family have reached this settlement.
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Many times in settlements the families agree to release any future legal claims no matter what may come to light in the future. The law firm that handled the case confirmed a short time ago that the matter has been settled but NBC 6 has not heard from the family yet.
