National City paid $1.5 million to a man accidentally shot in the arm by a police officer during a 2015 traffic stop.
On March 10, 2015, Jesus Flores was driving his car when he was stopped by a National City police officer for a missing license plate. After pulling over a short distance later, officers ordered Jesus to place his arms outside of the driver’s side window. As Jesus did, Corporal Darren Pierson lost grip of his gun as he approached the car and fired a shot, hitting and shattering Jesus’s left elbow. Jesus was transported to UCSD Medical Center for treatment.
"This was a rather unique case because this was a good cop who made a mistake and he owned up to it," Iredale said. "This a case where a good cop, one with no history of discipline, extremely active in civic causes, made a mistake like we all so often do."
Media Coverage
Man gets $1.5 million in accidental police shooting
National City detective misfired during traffic stop
San Diego Reader
July 6, 2017
Elected officials in National City have agreed to pay 22-year-old Jesus Flores a $1.5 million to dismiss the lawsuit he filed after a National City police officer accidentally shot him during a March, 2015 traffic stop.
National City Pays $1.5 Million to Man Police Accidentally Shot in the Arm
Victim’s attorney praises police officer for admitting mistake
NBC News San Diego
July 7, 2017
"This was a rather unique case because this was a good cop who made a mistake and he owned up to it," Iredale said. "This a case where a good cop, one with no history of discipline, extremely active in civic causes, made a mistake like we all so often do."