Sheriff will apologize to 2 black teens held at gunpoint

SEATTLE (AP) — The King County Sheriff's Office will apologize, pay $80,000, and has implemented new use-of-force guidelines to settle a federal civil-rights lawsuit brought by two African American teens who say they were wrongly held at gunpoint at a concert.

The Seattle Times reported Thursday the settlement was reached after negotiations between the sheriff's office and attorneys representing the boys and their families.

On June 19, 2018 Deputy Corey Marcotte approached what he thought was a stolen Jeep outside the White River Amphitheatre. The lawsuit filed last November in U.S. District Court says Marcotte pointed a gun at the head of the 17-year-old driver.

Marcotte has denied he pointed the weapon, but acknowledged he approached the Jeep with his weapon drawn.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in March 2018 that pointing a gun at an unarmed and compliant driver could violate that person's Fourth Amendment protections against illegal seizure.