The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday signed off on a $150,000 settlement with Donald Williams, an eyewitness to George Floyd’s murder who says the experience caused him PTSD.
Williams, 35, filed a lawsuit against the city last spring, alleging that he was assaulted by police on the corner of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue while trying to intervene in Floyd’s arrest.
He was outside Cup Foods corner store the evening of May 25, 2020, when he saw then-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nearly 9 ½ minutes as Floyd begged for his life. Bystander video captured by teenager Darnella Frazier depicts Williams as among the most vocal observers, urging Chauvin to get off Floyd — who was by then unresponsive — and check his pulse.
Williams repeatedly called Chauvin “a bum” in a desperate attempt to make the veteran officer relent, he later testified before a jury.
Chauvin looked directly at Williams, grabbed a canister of chemical spray from his duty belt and began shaking it toward him and other bystanders expressing concern for Floyd’s welfare, according to the lawsuit. He was so vocal that Officer Tou Thao stepped toward him and placed a hand on Williams’ chest.
As a result of the since-convicted officers’ actions, Williams said he feared for his safety and endured pain, suffering, humiliation, embarrassment and medical expenses.
The Council unanimously approved the settlement without discussion.
Williams’ attorney, Jeff Storms, could not be immediately reached for comment. Storms has helped secure hefty financial settlements for Floyd’s family and other high-profile victims of deadly police encounters.