Four years since the incident that resulted in permanent injuries to his left arm and abdomen, 19-year-old Rylan Wilder continues to adapt. Not only has he resumed playing guitar, he also plans to release a self-produced song on Halloween according to the Chicago Tribune. In addition, the long-drawn legal struggle has culminated in a $1.9 million settlement from the city of Des Plaines.

Back in November 2019, Wilder, an intern at UpBeat Music and Arts in Chicago's Irving Park, was accidentally shot by Officer James Armstrong, of the Des Plaines police department. The officer was then pursuing a bank robbery suspect. This ill-fated event led the teenager through 18 surgeries and a three-year-long physical therapy, as reported by the Chicago Tribune.

According to the lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court, Armstrong's actions were "reckless" and "unreasonable." But, in response to the settlement, Wilder conveyed mixed emotions. He wished for substantial action to prevent such incidents, emphasizing on improved police training and measures to safeguard bystanders from police chases, furthers the Chicago Sun-Times.

However, the city officials of Des Plaines released a statement, acknowledging that they "do not admit any wrongdoing or liability," with Officer Armstrong cleared off any wrongdoing. They dubbed the settlement as no reflection of Officer Armstrong's heroic actions that day. Yet, Timothy Cavanagh, Wilder's attorney, held that the settlement itself hinted at an admission of fault.

While the Cook County State's Attorney's office affirmed not to criminally charge Armstrong, Chicago Sun-Times reports suggested that the officer's use of "deadly force" against the bank robber was justified and the teenager's shooting accidental.