Family of Kris Jackson settles for $4.5M in civil lawsuit against City of South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City of South Lake Tahoe and the parents of Kris Jackson have reached a $4.5 million settlement.

Jackson, who was 22 at the time, was shot by a South Lake Tahoe police officer as he exited a motel room by a rear window at the Tahoe Hacienda Inn on June 15, 2015.

City Attorney Heather Stroud announced the settlement at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

"Hopefully this substantial settlement will bring closure to Kris's parents. It was an egregious police shooting of an unarmed young man," said attorney Michael Haddad of Haddad & Sherwin, LLP.

At 2:15 a.m. on June 15, 2015, South Lake Tahoe police officers were dispatched to the motel on US50 after someone called saying they heard the sounds of a woman screaming and crying in one of the motel rooms. Thinking the situation was domestic violence, upon arrival Officer Joshua Klinge saw Kris Jackson exiting the room from the back bathroom window. Jackson was wearing just shorts, no shirt or shoes. Klinge shot Jackson, stating he felt threatened as he stated Kris was reaching in his waistband for what Klinge thought was a weapon.

Jackson was transported to Barton Memorial Hospital where he died at 5:02 a.m.

Jackson had arrived at the Tahoe Hacienda room that was rented by his girlfriend Tiana Perez about 30 minutes prior to the 911 call. She told investigators that while there may have been shouting and items thrown in the room, there was no physical violence.

The El Dorado County District Attorney's Office completed an investigation and review of the case on June 21, 2017. In their final report they stated that while they couldn't definitely find the shooting was justified, they weren't going to file charges as they could not provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The Grand Jury heard the testimony of 16 witnesses and did not indict Officer Klinge on any charges.

In 2016, Mr. Jackson’s mother Angela Ainley and father Patrick Jackson filed a federal civil lawsuit against the City, Officer Klinge, and former Police Chief Brian Uhler alleging civil rights violations and wrongful death. The City was represented by attorney Bruce Praet of Ferguson, Praet & Sherman of Santa Ana in this case.

Since that point in time, Kris's parents Angela Ainley and Patrick Jackson have been seeking justice for their son through a series of court hearings.

Attorneys for both parents, including Haddad who represented the father, worked together collaboratively and a trial was set for this summer before mediation meetings and then the final settlement was agreed upon.

“We understand this has been a difficult time for the family and friends of Mr. Jackson. After nearly seven years, we believe a negotiated agreement with the involved parties is the best path forward and was done so after careful consideration of all options,” stated City Attorney, Heather Stroud.

Klinge was placed on leave after the shooting and never returned to the police department.

The funds for the settlement will be paid from a combination of City funds and insurance: City self-insured retention amount of $259,000, the City risk pool CIRA pays up to $1 million, and excess carrier PRISM pays the remainder.

Haddad said he expects the check in about a week.

Policy changes implemented since the 2015 shooting:

In 2020, the Police Department implemented the use of body-worn cameras
In 2021, the City initiated a City Council-appointed Police Advisory Commission