SAN ANTONIO — More than three years after a 6-year-old Schertz boy, Kameron Prescott, was killed by law enforcement as they were pursuing a fugitive, his family has reached a settlement with Bexar County, court records show.
Records state the settlement was reached on May 5. Prescott's family was seeking $4.5 million, and the lawyers representing one of his parents confirmed that amount.
Under the terms of the settlement, Bexar County will pay $4.5 million to the parents of Kameron, and $500,000 to the mother of Amanda Jones, who was also killed. Settlement documents are being finalized this week. It's important to note, out of the $5 million – $4.8 million is coming from the county's insurance company and the remaining $200,000 will come from Bexar County since that's the deductible amount.
The County issued the following statement regarding the settlement: “The death of Kameron Prescott is a tragedy. The County together with their insurance company has made the decision to settle the joint demand by the Prescott Family and Jones Family. We believe this step is in the best interest of everyone involved without prolonging the lawsuit. We hope Kameron’s family can find some level of solace with the closure of the case.”
The lawsuit – alleging poor training against three deputies and "deliberate indifference towards constitutionally inadequate training and policies pertaining to the use of deadly force" against Sheriff Javier Salazar – was filed in late 2019, two years after Kameron Prescott was shot when deputies fired at least 18 rounds into the mobile home where he lived. He died at the scene, despite first responders' efforts to save him, after being struck twice by the gunfire.
Authorities were targeting Amanda Jones, who was wanted on charges of fraud. Despite an initial belief that she was armed, investigators later found she didn't have a gun but was carrying a dark tube that deputies may have mistaken for a firearm.
Attorney Tom Crosley represents Kameron's father. He said this is a step towards justice.
"I don't think any amount of money will actually be fair compensation for the loss of their beloved child," he said. But, shooting in a manner that had no regard for the consequences of what was behind the target. If they had thought through this, there were dozens of options."
Crosley said in law enforcement, pulling the trigger should be the last resort.
"Or only when it is a matter of life or death for the officers involved," he said. "Here it seemed like they were in a rush to pull the trigger."
In a statement Bexar County said they hope the Prescott's will find some solace with the closure of this case. Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff echoed the same message.
"I don't think I have ever been more upset over an incident as I was with that one," he said. "It was just such a terrible tragic thing."
Crosley said there are two big takeaways from this case.
"Number one, hold your children, and love them close," he said. You never know what tomorrow might bring. Number two, we must hold our government entities responsible when their improper conduct results in tragic consequences."
According to the county, $4.8 million will be paid by the county's insurance, and $200,000 will come from the taxpayers, which is the county's deductible.
The case is expected to be dismissed no later than July 16.