By Associated Press - Tuesday, August 6, 2019

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The state has settled a complaint with a Cedar Rapids woman and her son who threatened to file an excessive force lawsuit over a May 2018 incident in which officers in pursuit of a suspect entered a home and restrained several people.

The State Appeal Board on Tuesday approved a $100,000 settlement with Shashona Wright, the mother of Lamonte O’Neal, after they threatened to file a federal lawsuit claiming O’Neal was injured.

O’Neal, who was a juvenile at the time, was restrained by one of three troopers who entered a Cedar Rapids home while assisting Cedar Rapids police in pursuit of a suspect with outstanding arrest warrants.



The state denies injuries occurred.

Assistant Attorney General Jeff Peterzalek says the suspect ran into a house and officers followed, encountering several individuals in a chaotic situation.

Peterzalek says the state believes the amount is a fair settlement to avoid costly litigation.

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