The Tempe City Council has unanimously approved a $2 million settlement for the family of 14-year-old Antonio Arce, who was shot and killed by Tempe police in 2019.
In January 2019, Tempe police Officer Joseph Jaen shot Arce as the teen ran away from the officer while holding a toy airsoft gun near 48th Street and Baseline Road.
Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel declined to prosecute the officer, but Tempe Police Chief Sylvia Moirsaid the department’s investigation found Jaen acted inappropriately, and he would have been fired had he not resigned.
Daniel Ortega, the lawyer representing Arce’s family, issued a statement saying: "From the beginning, the family of Antonio Arce has been seeking justice and some measure of accountability.”
The lawsuit originally sought $5 million in damages.
