RICHMOND -- The city has agreed to pay $850,000 to the family of Richard "Pedie" Perez, who was fatally shot by a police officer in 2014.

The city is not admitting fault or liability in the lawsuit settlement. An independent investigation authorized by the city cleared the officer of wrongdoing, as did a criminal probe by the Contra Costa District Attorney's Office.

The city said in a news release Tuesday that it will not "admit any liability for the incident, and the settlement was reached by the city to avoid the costs associated with further litigation."

Perez was shot multiple times by a police officer outside a liquor store after an altercation while he was being arrested on suspicion of being intoxicated. The officer claimed Perez was reaching for his gun, but witnesses and Perez supporters say Perez was not making any threatening moves when he was shot three times through the torso. on Sept. 14, 2014.

Perez's father, Rick Perez, said that although the city is settling the lawsuit, he and the family will still pursue criminal charges against the officer, Wallace Jensen.

"I've devoted 24 years of my life to raising my son, and the rest of my life's going to be devoted to holding these police accountable for their inappropriate actions," Perez said.


Jensen's attorney, Terry Leoni, said last year that the officer acted in self-defense and "was scared for his life" because Perez was tugging on his weapon.

"Unfortunately, these situations are always tragic, but Mr. Perez's dangerous actions provoked officer Jensen to use deady force," Leoni added Tuesday. She added that with the settlement, Jensen was just hoping to move forward so the community can heal.

The City Council was expected to consider Tuesday night appointing another independent police investigator to further examine the Perez case. The death of the 24-year-old Richmond resident -- the first fatality at the hands of Richmond police since 2007 -- has been the subject of protests around police accountability and use of force.

Mayor Tom Butt said he hoped the settlement would finally bring some peace.

"There are people out there who want to see this prolonged and turned into a campaign issue, but I'm hoping that everybody will call it a day and let this rest," Butt said.

Perez's family, however, doesn't plan to let the issue rest.

"I have to accept the fact that my son's never coming back, but I don't have to accept the rest of it," Rick Perez said.

Sarah Tan covers Richmond. Contact her at 510-262-2789. Follow her at Twitter.com/sarahjtan.