City Announces Settlement in Lawsuit Filed Against It On Behalf of McClain’s Children

The City of Pasadena announced Thursday night a settlement has been reached in one of three cases filed against it in the aftermath of the shooting death of Anthony McClain by Pasadena police.

McClain, a Black man riding as a passenger in a car stopped by police in Northwest Pasadena on August 15, 2020, was fatally shot by an officer as he sprinted away.

“Today, November 18, the City of Pasadena and lawyers for Mr. McClain’s three minor children reached a $7.5 million settlement to resolve a significant portion of the pending lawsuit arising from the incident,” the statement said.

The city statement said that “the death of Anthony McClain in 2020 was a tragic end to the life of a father of three minor children.”

“This settlement, with no admission of guilt or wrongdoing, will prevent further prolonged and expensive proceedings. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office continues its review of the 2020 incident and the Pasadena Police Department’s administrative review is pending.”

The car in which McClain was riding was pulled over by police on North Raymond Avenue near La Pintoresca Park for failing to display a front license plate.

After the driver and McClain were asked to step out of the car, McClain ran from officers. Police say McClain removed a handgun from his waistband as he fled, prompting Officer Edwin Dumaguindin to open fire. McClain continued running a short distance before tossing a handgun across the street and collapsing, according to police.

Some local residents say they don’t see a gun in body-worn camera footage of the incident.

McClain’s family members have argued that the shooting was unjustified.

McClain’s DNA was recovered from a pistol that police seized at the scene, police investigators said. But family attorneys have questioned the evidence.

Several other lawsuits are pending.