The family of Jenoah Donald, a 30-year-old unarmed Black man fatally shot by a Clark County sheriff’s deputy during a 2021 traffic stop, has agreed to a $3.5 million settlement with the county, officials confirmed Tuesday. The wrongful death lawsuit was filed in federal court and centered around the fatal encounter that occurred in Hazel Dell, Washington, a suburb just north of Portland.
The Incident
The shooting took place on February 4, 2021, during what authorities described as a routine traffic stop involving a broken tail light. Clark County deputies stopped Donald’s vehicle in a neighborhood while conducting what was later classified as a “proactive patrol” in a high-crime area.
According to the lawsuit and investigative reports, Donald was cooperative at the beginning of the stop. After being questioned, he provided his name and identification. However, the encounter escalated when Deputy Sean Boyle, one of three officers on scene, ordered Donald out of the vehicle.
When Donald did not immediately comply, Boyle reached into the car and began what officials later described as a “struggle.”
Deputy Boyle claimed that Donald began to drive forward slowly with the deputy partially inside the vehicle. Boyle then fired his weapon once, striking Donald in the head. Donald was hospitalized in critical condition for about a week before succumbing to his injuries on February 12, 2021.
Legal Proceedings and Settlement
Following an investigation, a Clark County prosecutor declined to press criminal charges against Deputy Boyle, citing insufficient evidence to prove that his use of deadly force was unlawful under state law. The decision sparked protests and outcry from civil rights organizations across the Pacific Northwest.
In 2022, the Donald family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Clark County, alleging excessive force, racial bias, and violations of Donald’s constitutional rights. The suit argued that Donald posed no threat to the officers and that the situation was escalated unnecessarily by law enforcement.
The $3.5 million settlement, which avoids a lengthy trial, does not include any admission of wrongdoing by the county or Deputy Boyle. The county’s legal representatives stated the decision to settle was made to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation.
“This settlement is a step toward healing and accountability,” said Matthew Clark, one of the Donald family’s attorneys. “While it does not bring back Jenoah, it acknowledges the pain and loss his family has endured and seeks to prevent similar tragedies in the future.”
Community and Family Response
The settlement has reignited calls for police reform in Washington state, especially related to the use of force and interactions with minority communities. The Donald family released a statement expressing both grief and hope for systemic change.
“We miss Jenoah every day. He was a kind, quiet, and loving soul who deserved to live,” the statement read. “No family should have to go through what we did. We pray that this settlement leads to reform and real accountability.”
Local advocacy groups such as the ACLU of Washington and Washington Black Lives Matter chapters have continued to push for transparency in officer-involved shootings. “Money does not equate to justice, but it highlights the cost of unchecked policing,” said ACLU spokesperson Lisa Farmer. “We need stronger independent oversight and better de-escalation training.”
Broader Policy Impact
The incident and subsequent lawsuit contributed to Washington state lawmakers passing new police accountability measures in 2022. Among the reforms were increased funding for mental health crisis response teams, stricter use-of-force guidelines, and the establishment of an independent office to review police-involved shootings.
Under these changes, investigations into deadly force incidents now involve third-party agencies instead of being handled solely by local police departments. Advocates argue that this shift reduces potential bias and enhances credibility.
Clark County officials say they are implementing additional training for deputies to reduce reliance on force, particularly during low-level traffic stops. Sheriff John Horch stated in a news conference that the department remains committed to learning from past incidents.
“Our goal is to keep every interaction safe—for civilians and our deputies,” Horch said. “This tragic loss of life reminds us of the importance of continuing to review and improve our policies and procedures.”
Similar Cases and National Context
The fatal shooting of Jenoah Donald drew comparisons to other high-profile incidents involving Black men and traffic stops across the United States. The deaths of George Floyd, Daunte Wright, and Tyre Nichols have sparked national dialogue on racial bias in policing and led to increased scrutiny of local law enforcement practices.
According to data from Mapping Police Violence, Black people are nearly three times more likely to be killed by police than white people in the U.S., despite making up a smaller portion of the population.
Advocates point to this disparity as a reason for comprehensive federal legislation, such as the stalled George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
Conclusion
The $3.5 million settlement between the family of Jenoah Donald and Clark County serves as a sobering reminder of the human cost associated with excessive use of force in law enforcement.
While the financial compensation may help the family find some measure of closure, many in the community continue to push for long-term reform and accountability.
Donald’s family, attorneys, and civil rights advocates hope that the settlement marks a turning point in efforts to ensure that all citizens, regardless of race, are treated with dignity and protected equally under the law during interactions with law enforcement.
For more detailed coverage and updates on police accountability measures in Washington state, visit the Washington State Office of Independent Investigations.
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