TULSA, Okla. (AP) --Tulsa County is paying $6 million to settle a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by the family of an unarmed man who was fatally shot by a former sheriff's reserve deputy.
The settlement between Tulsa County and the estate of Eric Harris was filed Friday.
Harris was shot in April 2015 by ex-volunteer sheriff's deputy Robert Bates.
The 76-year-old Bates was released from prison in October after serving less than half of a four-year sentence for second-degree manslaughter.
Sheriff Vic Regalado said in a statement he believes the settlement will allow the Harris family to heal.
An attorney for Harris' family says his legacy brings hope for "some measure of justice and accountability" when a law officer "violates the rights and takes the life of an African-American citizen."
Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado released a statement on Friday afternoon pertaining to the settlement of the Eric Harris lawsuit:
Today I announce that all claims resulting from the death of Eric Harris on April 2, 2015, have now been settled. It’s in the best interest of all parties involved to resolve these claims at this time. I believe this decision will allow the process of healing to continue for the Harris family, the citizens of Tulsa County and the hard working men and women of the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office.
On April 2, 2015, Reserve Deputy Robert Bates fatally shot Eric Harris during an undercover operation.
View the complete timeline of events here: http://bit.ly/2Icteae
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