Baton Rouge Council Passes $4.5 Million Settlement for Alton Sterling’s Family

The East Baton Rouge Metro Council has passed a $4.5 million settlement in the civil suit for the family of Alton Sterling, the man who was shot and killed by a Baton Rouge Police Department officer in 2016.

The settlement passed by a vote of 7 to 4.

This resolution stems from the wrongful death lawsuit filed against the city and the BRPD by the family of Alton Sterling.

Last year, similar talks of a $5 million settlement fell short of the necessary votes.

Even though the council voted and approved a settlement, the family would have to accept the offer. It is not known yet if Sterling's family will agree to the offer.

Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome posted the following statement to social media:

I am pleased our metro council was able to find a consensus and approve an offer of settlement in the Alton Sterling civil case. After nearly five years, the people of Baton Rouge are finally one step closer to getting much-needed closure in this traumatic episode in our history. Now we must continue the work of building a more fair and equitable community, where every citizen is treated justly, no matter their race or ethnicity.