Nicholas Bils
Nicholas Bils, 36, was being transported to the San Diego Central Jail on May 1, 2020, when he slipped his handcuffs and got out of a California State Parks officer's car. According to prosecutors and a federal jury, a San Diego County sheriff's deputy shot him in the back, arm and thigh while he was running away. His mother, Kathleen Bils, told the court that those sworn to protect people had killed one of them for fleeing. The deputy, who was convicted in federal court, said he believed Bils had a gun, a claim later found to be a dangling handcuff, and the family's wrongful death suit against the county settled for $8.1 million.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff. A federal jury convicted a San Diego County sheriff's deputy, who shot Nicholas Bils in the back while he ran away during transport to the San Diego Central Jail; the deputy said he believed Bils had a gun, which was a dangling handcuff.
Reported by: federal prosecutors and jury; Bils's family wrongful death suit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: Bils's family sued San Diego County over his death and settled the wrongful death suit for $8.1 million in 2022, while a federal jury later convicted the former deputy who shot him.