POLICE Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Jury Awards More Than $37M to Family of Maryland Woman Over Fatal Police Shooting

A Baltimore County jury has ruled in favor of the family of Korryn Gaines — and awarded more than $37 million in damages — in the civil lawsuit brought by the family of the Randallstown, MD, woman who was fatally shot by a county police officer after a six-hour standoff in 2016.

February 16, 2018

A Baltimore County jury has ruled in favor of the family of Korryn Gaines — and awarded more than $37 million in damages — in the civil lawsuit brought by the family of the Randallstown, MD, woman who was fatally shot by a county police officer after a six-hour standoff in 2016.

The jury found that the first shot from the police officer who fired at Gaines, killing her and injuring her son, Kodi, was not reasonable, and therefore the civil rights of both Gaines and Kodi were violated under state and federal statutes, reports the Baltimore Sun .

Ad Loading...

The jury awarded more than $32 million to Kodi in damages, and $4.5 million for his sister, Karsyn. Gaines’ father and mother were awarded $300,000 and $307,000, respectively, and the Gaines estate was awarded $300,000.

Gaines’ family sued the Baltimore County government and the officer who fired the shots, Cpl. Royce Ruby, alleging civil rights violations, and had sought more than $42 million for Gaines’ estate and survivors.

Ruby was cleared of any wrongdoing by the state's attorney and was not criminally charged. He has been promoted from the rank of officer to corporal.

Related: Instagram Posts May Have Escalated Fatal Maryland Standoff, Police Say

Ad Loading...

More Point of Law

patrolfinder - reducing crime thumbnail
SponsoredOctober 27, 2025

How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management

Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.

Read More →
Point of Law logo with scales of justice in metallic silver text
Patrolby Eric DaigleSeptember 1, 2025

Point of Law: The Limits of Electronic Searches

Can an individual be prosecuted for despicable criminal conduct based on evidence obtained in violation of the United States Constitution? Ultimately, the Ninth Circuit judges wrote, “In the circumstances of this case (United States v. Holcomb, 23-469 (9th Cir. 2025)), respect for the Constitution and the rule of law requires an answer of “no.”

Read More →
PatrolAugust 25, 2025

Trump Issues Order Cutting Federal Funding in Cashless Bail Jurisdictions

<strong>“</strong>Cashless bail policies allow dangerous individuals to immediately return to the streets and further endanger law-abiding, hard-working Americans because they know our laws will not be enforced,” the administration said.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Point of LawJuly 2, 2025

Justice Department Sues Los Angeles Over Sanctuary Policies

The DOJ said in a press release that the “sanctuary city” policies of the City of Los Angeles are illegal under federal law.

Read More →
Point of Lawby Kevin R. MadisonJune 20, 2025

Understanding Officer-Created Jeopardy

Officers can be criminally prosecuted for using force when their actions led to escalation during contact with subjects.

Read More →
Point of LawJune 18, 2025

Point of Law: The Limitations of Search Warrants

In the Tenth Circuit case of Cuervo v. Sorenson, the Court ruled officers cannot deviate from the language of the warrant.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Point of LawMay 21, 2025

DOJ Dismisses Consent Decrees Affecting Louisville and Minneapolis Police

The Civil Rights Division will be taking all necessary steps to dismiss the Louisville and Minneapolis lawsuits with prejudice, to close the underlying investigations into the Louisville and Minneapolis police departments.

Read More →
Point of LawApril 28, 2025

New Michigan Bill would Give Officers Civil Immunity in Self-Defense Cases

House Bill 4404 would create a presumption of civil immunity for individuals who are cleared criminally after using force in self-defense, shifting the burden of proof onto plaintiffs.

Read More →
Point of LawApril 8, 2025

Seattle to Pay Police Captain $1 Million to Settle Lawsuit

Seattle police Capt. Eric Greening sued former Chief Adrian Diaz last year alleging that Diaz retaliated when Greening brought up concerns about racial and gender discrimination.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Point of LawMarch 13, 2025

Washington Agencies Ordered to Not Delete Critical Facebook Contents

Jim Leighty, a local activist, filed two federal lawsuits last year claiming both agencies deleted or hid critical comments he had written below multiple posts, while keeping comments that were pro-police in nature.

Read More →