The estate of Teresa Gomez and the City of Las Cruces reached a $20 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit after Gomez was shot and killed by former officer Felipe Hernandez. The settlement is the largest in the City’s history. The Gomez family mourns Teresa’s loss and hopes for justice in the criminal justice system. Hernandez was charged with second-degree murder, relieved of duty in May, and awaits trial in June 2025.
The settlement involves two payments, with $2 million already paid and the remaining $18 million to be financed and presented to City Council for approval. The lawsuit claimed Hernandez violated Gomez’s Fourth Amendment rights and the City was responsible for his actions as an employee. It also highlighted a loss of consortium for Gomez’s family members due to her death.
The lawsuit sought compensatory damages for wrongful death, economic loss, funeral expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium. The City agreed to the settlement without admitting liability to avoid further litigation costs. The lawsuit was amended to add punitive damages against Hernandez, and a motion was filed to stay the case until settlement terms were fulfilled.
A status hearing is scheduled for March 2025 to report on the settlement status. The lawsuit also requested a jury trial, which was vacated by the judge. Overall, the settlement aims to provide closure for the Gomez family and ensure accountability for the actions that led to Teresa’s death.
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