The Department of Justice agreed to pay almost $145 million in settlements to compensate for the Air Force’s failure to provide necessary information regarding the 2017 Sutherland Springs, Texas, shooter’s history of violence.
Had the information been provided to the FBI, Devin Patrick Kelley would not have been able to purchase a firearm.
“No words or amount of money can diminish the immense tragedy of the mass shooting in Sutherland Springs,” Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said. “Today’s announcement brings the litigation to a close, ending a painful chapter for the victims of this unthinkable crime.”
From The Washington Times:
A federal judge in 2021 ruled that the Air Force was 60% responsible for the shooting and set damages at $230 million. The Justice Department appealed that award earlier this year, saying it wanted to seek a settlement. Gun control advocates had pressed the administration to stop fighting the ruling and payout. They said arguing against the judge’s conclusions undermined the administration’s core political position that guns are dangerous, purchases should be restricted and background checks can work.
