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WASHINGTON — Victims of the 2017 shooting that killed 26 people at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, have signed a “temporary agreement” with the Justice Department to settle a $144.5 million lawsuit against the federal government. reached.
The deal must be approved by Attorney General Merrick Garland’s office, the victim’s attorney said in a statement. If approved, the multi-year legal battle over a federal judge’s ruling that the U.S. government would be held responsible for the attack because it failed to submit the shooter’s criminal record to a database, preventing him from purchasing firearms. is expected to come to an end. .
In a statement Wednesday morning, the Justice Department said it had reached an “agreement in principle” to “resolve pending appeals.” No Approval. Court Approval A court, in this case, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, must “approve some aspects of the settlement.”
Attorney General Vanita Gupta said in a statement, “No words or money can mitigate the immense tragedy of the Sutherland Springs shooting.” A painful chapter comes to an end for victims of this unimaginable crime.”
Jamal Al-Safar, the victim’s lead trial attorney, called the Sutherland Springs family heroes and for pursuing their case despite being forced to relive the traumatic shooting. “The country has an obligation to express gratitude to them,” he said.
But despite the “pain and loss” they’ve endured, he said the legal episode isn’t over yet.
“These families fought and endured for justice and won two court cases against the federal government, making this country safer as a result. But the settlement is not final,” Alsaffar said. . “Attorney General Garland’s office still has to approve it and we urge his Department of Justice to act quickly to bring some closure to these families.
In July 2021, a judge ruled that former Air Force officer Devin Kelly failed to provide records that may have prevented him from obtaining the weapon he used in the shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs. , held the government partially responsible for the shooting.
The US government was ordered to pay $230 million to more than 80 survivors and relatives of the victims. The Justice Department has appealed the judgment. Government lawyers told the court that even if he did not report Kelly’s 2012 arrest and domestic violence court martial to the FBI, even if the Air Force followed the law, Kelly would have otherwise held a gun. claimed to have obtained and committed the crime. The same act, according to court records.
Victims of the shootings said they were frustrated, confused, and angry by the Justice Department’s allegations this year. We have discovered that it appears to be undermining the investigation system.
Survivors and gun safety advocates said they were concerned that gun safety laws could be undermined if the Justice Department wins.
“If I ever get the chance to meet President Biden, I’m like, ‘Why? Why are you doing all this? [gun reform] Juan “Gunny” Macias, who was shot multiple times in the attack, said.
In a statement, the Justice Department said the background check system “plays a critical role in combating gun violence” and that the federal government “continues to work to improve the functioning of that system.” emphasized.
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