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Family of Benton teen fatally shot by police react to verdict of son's death

After eight years of intense legal battle, the family of a Benton 17-year-old who was killed by police is now getting closure.

BENTON, Ark. — New developments have surfaced eight years after the shooting death of a 17-year-old in Benton.

In 2016, Keagan Schweikle was shot and killed by police, and on Monday, a jury ruled in favor of his family.

"He was good at everything he tried," said Dominic Schweikle, Keagan Schweikle's father. "He was funny, thoughtful, and loved his friends and family; he should still be here."

On Monday, a federal jury came to a verdict against the City of Benton and former Benton Police Chief Kirk Lane, awarding $32 million to the Schweikle family for damages.

The verdicts cleared the officer who pulled the trigger, Kyle Ellison, but said that both the city and the chief failed to train him and investigate what exactly happened.

"Although the officer wasn't charged because of this being a civil case and he was absolved of the complaints against him, I still feel like justice was done and the jury did do the right thing," Dominic Schweikle said. "[They] sent a message that there is a chance for people to get a voice when they find themselves in situations like this."

Dominic Schweikle said the search for justice has been a long one.

In October 2016, when the incident happened, Keagan Schweikle ran into the woods near his Saline County home. Soon after, Keagan Schweikle's mother called the police and explained how he was suicidal.

Ellison and a few other officers responded to the call, searched the woods and found the teen with a gun to his head. Officers ordered him to drop the weapon, and as Keagan Schweikle started to lower the gun, Ellison shot and killed him.

A judge had previously dismissed the case twice, but the appeals court overruled both decisions.

Keagan Schweikle's parents sued Ellison, Lane and the city for "violating his civil rights when he was shot by police."

The jury decided that the city should pay two $15 million judgments in damages to the parents, and they ordered Lane to pay $2 million.

"We've been through the motions so many times, and that was the hardest thing about the trial, having to relive those moments of Keagan's death over and over and over," Dominic Schweikle said.

According to Dominic Schweikle, Keagan would still be here today if the proper measures had been taken the first time. He's hopeful things will change because of their case and Keagan's story.

"Unfortunately, the only way it's going to change is if they have to take it in the pocketbook," Dominic Schweikle said. "Slaps on the wrist don't do anything. It just doesn't work and must start from the inside out. I feel like the City of Benton has a chance to change and to be an example of why."

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