The city of Sacramento in California has agreed to pay a $160,000 settlement to the family of a man fatally shot by police officers after he brandished a large knife on a light rail train. The resolution concludes a federal civil rights case brought by the victim's father.
The Fatal Confrontation on the Blue Line
The incident occurred in August 2023 on a Regional Transit train near Sacramento City College. Frightened passengers had dialled 911 to report a man carrying what was described as a 'machete type of knife'. Riders evacuated the rail car, leaving Dante Dwaine Day, 44, alone by the time law enforcement arrived.
Body camera footage from the scene showed Day seated and wearing a red shirt, visibly distressed. He repeatedly told officers he was afraid, stating, 'I'm scared of you all, bro... Please, I know you all got to do your job, but I'm scared of you all right now.'
Escalation and Use of Force
Officers discussed non-lethal options and subsequently fired bean-bag rounds at Day after he stood up holding the knife. However, this tactic failed to subdue him. The footage shows Day continuing to move towards the police with the weapon in hand, which prompted the officers to open fire with live rounds.
Day was struck multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene. In December 2024, the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office cleared the involved officers of criminal wrongdoing, ruling the shooting justified under self-defence laws. Their review also disclosed that Day had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Legal Settlement and Calls for Change
The settlement, finalised earlier this month, resolves the lawsuit filed by Day's father, Derick Day. The city made the payment without admitting any wrongdoing. Attorney John Burris, who represented the family, argued that officers failed to adequately de-escalate the situation and did not call a crisis intervention specialist, despite signs of a mental health emergency.
Speaking on Thursday, Derick Day expressed his hope for systemic improvement. 'I just want the situation to be better for other people,' he said. 'If they will look into a situation where they can save a life rather than take a life.'
