Union County has reached a $3.25 million settlement in the fatal shooting of Malcolm Staton, a 30-year-old father killed by a sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop at a gas station in 2022. The resolution comes after a federal judge approved the agreement on Monday, as reported by Queen City News. The settlement includes $2,437,500 for Staton's estate and $812,500 for Cree Faulkner, Staton's girlfriend who was present in the car with their children at the time of the incident.
Details released by WCNC indicate that the incident occurred on March 15, 2022, when Staton was attempting to navigate around several deputies' vehicles at a gas station parking lot in Monroe. Surveillance video suggested that Staton, who was initially stopped for a drug search, did not pose a risk to the deputies. Still, despite this, Staton was fatally shot in the head as he attempted to drive away with his girlfriend and two of their children in the car.
During a 2022 news conference, Cree Faulkner highlighted the traumatic impact of the event, as quoted by Queen City News, "I don’t think nobody is prepared to see their father get killed. Especially not a two-year-old girl who had to see her dad’s blood splattered on his face." The deputies' decision to open fire, especially with children present, was criticized as "incredibly reckless" by the family's attorney, Shean Williams of The Cochran Firm, as noted in statements to several local news outlets.
According to WCCB Charlotte, the settlement resolves a federal lawsuit filed against Union County that involved claims of excessive force used by deputies against Staton, who leaves behind children and other family members. The Union County Sheriff's Office has declined to comment further on the matter, stating that "The Sheriff’s Office is committed to handling all aspects appropriately and in accordance with the law."
