A federal judge approved a $2 million settlement this week in the wrongful death suit filed by the mother of a woman fatally shot by Longview Police Department officers on New Year’s Day 2024.
United States District Court Judge Benjamin H. Settle approved Tuesday the settlement in the suit regarding the death of Katelyn Smith, 29, of Longview, court document shows. The parties agreed to the settlement in June.
One-third of the net proceeds will be allocated to Smith’s mother, Danielle Whiting, while two-thirds of the settlement will go to Smith’s children. The youngest child, who has special needs, will receive a larger portion of the settlement.
Longview spokesperson Angela Abel said the Washington Cities Insurance Authority will be responsible for processing and issuing the payment.
Angus Lee, one of the attorneys representing Whiting, said the family will now create a trust for the benefit of Smith’s two children, ages 8 and 12 during the time of the shooting.
Whiting filed the wrongful death suit regarding Katelyn Rose Smith in November against the city of Longview and three Longview police officers: Elijah Heston, Dylan Fletcher and Caitlyn Woolcott-Rose.
The lawsuit claimed the city of Longview and its officers violated Smith’s constitutional rights, leading to her preventable death due to a lack of hospital care.
After the shooting, the Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team investigated and reported Smith pointed a gun at officers when stepping out of a home in the 2900 block of Columbia Heights Road in Longview, prompting the three officers to fire.
First aid was administered, but Smith died from her wounds, the team reported.
Both the lawsuit and the Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team say 911 was called because Smith was suicidal at the time, but the lawsuit alleges police could have prevented her access to a firearm. The document also states the gun she pointed at police was unloaded.
Whiting was also represented by Mark Lindquist from Mark Lindquist Law PLLC in Tacoma.
