MARCH 26, 2009 – The city of San Diego will pay $325,000 to settle a wrongful death lawsuit with the family of a 25-year-old man shot and killed by police in 2005. Jacob Richard Faust was shot and killed by police when he reached for a toy gun at a traffic stop. The settlement was unanimously approved Tuesday by the City Council. Faust was pulled over by police on April 4, 2005, for making an illegal left turn. What happened next is disputed between police and Faust’s family. However, Faust scuffled with police, and at some point, Faust reached for a toy gun behind the seat. The gun was apparently a prop he used in a puppet show. Police fired three times and killed Faust. Although the district attorney found the shooting to be justified, the Deputy City Attorney said the $325,000 settlement was a “business decision” to avoid the risk of a large jury verdict.
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