College Football Player Shot By Police Receives $8 Million Dollar Settlement

The city of San Jose reached a tentative $8 million settlement with K'aun Green, a college football player shot by police in March 2022 while disarming a gunman. 

Key Details of the Settlement

• Approval Timeline: The San Jose City Council is expected to officially consider and approve the settlement in January 2026. A city attorney memo recommended final approval by January 13, 2026, to avoid the risks of a federal trial.

• Historic Amount: If finalized, the $8 million payout will be the second-largest police settlement in San Jose's history.

• Injuries Sustained: Green was struck four times—in the stomach, arm, and knee—causing significant injuries, though they were not life-threatening. 

Background of the Incident

• The Shooting: On March 27, 2022, Green was at La Victoria Taqueria when he intervened in a brawl to disarm a man who had drawn a handgun. As Green exited the restaurant holding the confiscated weapon over his head to show he was not a threat, Officer Mark McNamara arrived and shot him within seconds.

• Mistaken Identity: Police initially claimed Green was a suspect in a nearby homicide, but surveillance footage later proved he was a bystander who had acted heroically to protect others.

• Officer Misconduct: Officer McNamara resigned in 2023 after internal investigators discovered racist and homophobic text messages on his phone, some of which targeted Green and his legal team and mocked the shooting. 

Current Status of K'aun Green

As of late 2025, Green is 24 years old and attends the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) on a full football scholarship. His attorney, Adante Pointer, stated that the settlement finally helps clear Green's name after years of the city "digging in its heels" regarding liability.