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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Abigail O'Leary

Children to be paid almost £3m after pregnant mum shot dead by police SHE called for

Four children are to be paid almost £3million after their pregnant mother was shot dead by police who she called to report a burglary.

The City of Seattle has agreed to pay $3.5 million to the children of Charleena Lyles.

The 30-year-old mum died on 18th June 2017 after calling police for help.

Two officers responded to the call and, according to their report, evidence at the scene pointed towards the fact that the crime had been staged.

They described how Charleena took out a knife as she stood in her kitchen.

They both shot at her and she received seven bullets and died from her injuries.

A woman holds a sign in honor of Charleena Lyles during a protest and rally in her honour (Getty Images)

She was pregnant at the time and her death sparked outrage and protests.

Her sister Monika Williams was reported as saying: "Why couldn't they have Tased her? They could have taken her down. I could have taken her down."

The court heard how Charleena was a victim of domestic violence and had a history of suffering with mental health issues.

Her children, aged between five and 16, filed a wrongful death civil lawsuit, which was planned to go to trial in February of next year.

Children sit near the Brettler Family Place apartments, where Charleena Lyles was killed (Getty Images)

However, on 30th November, a settlement of USD 3.5 million (GBP 2.6 million) was reached after a 13-and-a-half-hour session overseen by a judge.

The children, two of whom have special needs, are now in the care of the victim's aunt, who is in the process of adopting them.

The Seattle Police Department wrote in an online statement: "We hope that this tragic case continues to serve to drive momentum towards comprehensive, holistic reform of all systems that meet at the intersection of public health and public safety."

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