ANAHEIM – The City Council this month reached a $245,000 settlement with the mother of an unarmed man who was fatally shot by Anaheim police nearly three years ago.

A federal lawsuit filed in August by Maria Lopez claimed that 23-year-old David Raya’s civil rights were violated when he was fatally shot by officers during a foot pursuit on Aug. 16, 2011. Authorities said officers believed Raya had a weapon when he reached for his waistband during the chase.

Raya was shot twice in the back and no weapon was found on him.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office in October 2012 concluded that the shooting was justified based on Raya’s criminal history, but the office’s report acknowledged that the man may have been trying to get rid of a methamphetamine pipe during the chase at West Guinida Lane.

The settlement, approved by the City Council on March 11, notes that “the city’s decision to resolve this matter is not an admission of liability,” an Anaheim city spokeswoman said. Additionally, Raya’s mother agreed to dismiss her claims for damages and attorney’s fees.

At the time of the shooting, Raya was on parole for a previous charge of assault with a deadly weapon, authorities said. The district attorney’s report said police were searching for Raya, who was suspected of two vehicle burglaries. Raya ran when an officer found him during a probation search of his girlfriend’s home, leading to the chase, the report said.

Contact the writer: 714-704-3769 or amarroquin@ocregister.com