The City of Napa has settled with the family of Jeremy Vellenoweth, who was fatally shot by a Napa Police sergeant during a family altercation in 2021. The $1 million settlement announced last Thursday concludes the lawsuit filed by Vellenoweth's family.
On the evening of October 6, 2021, a disturbance outside of a home on Pear Tree Lane prompted a call to dispatchers, who were informed that Jeremy Vellenoweth, then 26, was armed and pointing a shotgun at his father. The responding sergeant, confronting a scene with a potent threat to life, discharged his service weapon at Vellenoweth after he aimed the gun at officers. This intervention ceased the danger but resulted in Vellenoweth's subsequent death after emergency medical attempts and hospital transport proved unavailing.
A comprehensive investigation by the Napa County Major Crimes Task Force concluded without filing criminal charges. Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley stated that the officer's use of deadly force "was a reasonable and lawful response," a sentiment the City of Napa echoed in their denial of liability.
City Manager Steve Potter described settling as a compromise to prevent future disruptions. "We regret Mr. Vellenoweth’s death," Potter expressed, per the City of Napa. “The City believes that the Sergeant did the right thing in life-threatening circumstances. It also believes that the best resolution of this litigation was this difficult settlement, which satisfies no one, but which allows the Department and community to avoid disruptive litigation stretching far into the future. We wish the best for Mr. Vellenoweth’s family.”
