NAPA, CA — The city of Napa has agreed to settle a civil lawsuit for $1 million following the fatal police shooting of 26-year-old Jeremy Vellenoweth in 2021. The settlement was reached on April 17, 2025, after lengthy litigation and investigation, though the city continues to deny any wrongdoing in the incident.
The shooting occurred on October 6, 2021, when Napa police responded to a report of a family dispute outside a home on Pear Tree Lane. The caller stated that Vellenoweth, armed with a rifle, was pointing the weapon at his father. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Vellenoweth still holding the rifle in front of the residence. According to police, he allegedly aimed the weapon at the officers, prompting a response from a police sergeant who fired at Vellenoweth. The bullet caused Vellenoweth to drop the gun, but he was later transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
An investigation into the shooting was conducted by the Napa County Major Crimes Task Force, with oversight by the Napa County Sheriff’s Office. On February 3, 2023, Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced that no criminal charges would be filed against the officer involved in the shooting. Haley stated that the officer’s use of deadly force was justified, noting that it was a “reasonable and lawful response” to an apparent threat to the officers’ lives.
However, in October 2022, Vellenoweth’s family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city of Napa and the officer involved, alleging wrongful death. The lawsuit was driven by claims that Vellenoweth’s constitutional rights had been violated and that the officer’s actions were excessive. Despite the city’s belief that the officer’s response was appropriate, the legal costs and the potential for ongoing disruption led both sides to reach a settlement.
In a statement released after the settlement, City Manager Steve Potter expressed regret over Vellenoweth’s death but stood by the actions of the officer. “The city believes that the sergeant did the right thing in life-threatening circumstances,” Potter said. “It also believes that the best resolution of this litigation was this difficult settlement, which satisfies no one, but which allows the department and community to avoid disruptive litigation stretching far into the future.”
The city’s statement also emphasized that the settlement did not equate to an admission of liability, and that the Napa Police Department maintained that the officer’s actions were justified given the perceived threat. The family of Vellenoweth, however, was awarded $1 million in the settlement, which will be paid to them as compensation for the loss of their son.
Napa Police Department officials have already released body camera footage, police radio communications, and 911 calls related to the incident, offering the public insight into the events surrounding the shooting. The full investigative report can be accessed online for those seeking further details.
While the financial settlement resolves the immediate legal dispute, the tragic death of Jeremy Vellenoweth and the ensuing lawsuit has highlighted ongoing debates surrounding the use of force by law enforcement officers, particularly in high-stress situations involving firearms. The case serves as a reminder of the complex nature of police encounters and the legal, social, and emotional ramifications that follow.