The Washington County Board approved a $4.5 million settlement in the case involving a sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot Benjamin Evans in 2018.
Benjamin Evans, 23, of Lake Elmo. (Courtesy of Benjamin Evans family)
According to the terms of a settlement, William Evans, acting as trustee and next-of-kin for Benjamin Evans will received the payment. Of the $4.5 million, $2 million will come from the Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust while the remaining $2.5 million from Washington County.
On April 12, 2018 during a standoff in Lake Elmo with law enforcement, Benjamin Evans, who was suicidal and armed, was shot by Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Krook. Evans had turned his head and pointed a gun at himself, causing the weapon to be also pointed in the direction of law enforcement officers, according to Washington County.
In a statement on the settlement, Washington County officials said: “While (they stand) by the actions of (their) deputy as necessary to protect public safety, both parties recognized that a prolonged and costly trial could yield uncertain outcomes.”
Washington County’s statement also noted that the settlement “does not constitute admission of liability or wrongdoing by Washington County or Deputy Krook.”
Krook in 2020 was acquitted of manslaughter by a Washington County jury.
This story will update later today.
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