On Tuesday, Council went into executive session to hear legal advice related to a suit filed by Sam Kirsch after an APD officer shot him in the head with a beanbag round during a 2020 racial justice protest. Kirsch suffered serious injuries, recently losing an eye as a result, and is seeking compensation for his injuries, pain and suffering. The suit says Kirsch is also seeking to punish the city for the officer’s actions and conduct, which the suit describes as “egregious, reckless, and endanger(ing) numerous peaceful protesters and bystanders. Sam seeks punitive damages to deter this type of retaliation and excessive force against protesters who demonstrate against police brutality in the future.” APD stopped using the beanbag rounds after this incident. The city has already settled several suits related to the use of those rounds. Kirsch is represented by attorney Rebecca Webber, a former member of the Public Safety Commission.
Jo Clifton is the Politics Editor for the Austin Monitor. More by Jo Clifton