Seattle Moves to Appeal Landmark $30 Million Verdict in CHOP Shooting Death

The City of Seattle has officially filed an appeal to overturn a massive $30.5 million jury verdict awarded to the father of Antonio Mays Jr., a 16-year-old who was shot and killed during the 2020 Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP). The city’s legal team argues that the trial court made several errors that unfairly influenced the jury’s decision to hold the city liable for the teenager’s death.

Context of the Case

In January 2026, a King County jury found the City of Seattle negligent in its emergency response. During the trial, attorneys for the Mays family argued that city leaders created a “lawless” environment by abandoning the East Precinct and that medical responders failed to reach the wounded teen in time, despite his injuries being potentially survivable. The jury awarded $26 million to Antonio Mays Sr. and over $4 million to his son’s estate.

Grounds for the Appeal

The city’s appeal centers on several key legal arguments:

• The “Public Duty” Doctrine: The city contends it should not be held liable for failing to protect a specific individual from the criminal acts of third parties, arguing that its duty to provide police and fire services is to the general public, not a private individual.
• Evidence Challenges: City attorneys claim that certain evidence—including controversial deleted text messages from former city leaders—was used to prejudice the jury rather than prove a direct link to the shooting.
• Contributory Fault: The city has argued that the jury was not given enough opportunity to consider the role of the unidentified shooters or the risks the teen took by entering the protest zone.

What’s Next?

By filing this appeal, the city is seeking to either have the verdict thrown out or to significantly reduce the record-breaking payout. While the city expresses sympathy for the family’s loss, officials maintain that the verdict sets a dangerous legal precedent that could make the city financially responsible for any crime committed in a high-risk area.

The appeal process is expected to take several months, leaving the $30 million payout on hold while the higher court reviews the case. For the family of Antonio Mays Jr., the move marks another chapter in a six-year quest for accountability that began during the height of the 2020 civil unrest.