Seattle Liable for Teen's Death During 2020 BLM Riots

Jury awards over $30 million to family of 16-year-old killed inside CHAZ

Jan. 30, 2026 at 1:39pm

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A civil jury found the city of Seattle liable for the 2020 shooting death of 16-year-old Antonio Mays Jr. during the Black Lives Matter riots and the formation of the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ). The jury awarded Mays' family over $30 million, declaring the city 'negligent' in its handling of the unrest that led to the teen's death inside the anarchist commune.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex legal and political fallout from the 2020 BLM protests and the city's controversial decision to allow rioters to take over several city blocks, forming the self-proclaimed CHAZ. The verdict underscores the city's liability for failing to protect public safety and the life of a teenager during the unrest.

The details

Mays Jr. was fatally shot on June 29, 2020, inside the CHAZ, where police had withdrawn and allowed rioters to establish an autonomous zone with their own armed security forces. The shooting that killed Mays Jr. and injured a 14-year-old was the breaking point that prompted the city to order the dispersal of CHAZ. The shooting went unsolved, with no arrests made.

  • On June 29, 2020, Mays Jr. was fatally shot inside the CHAZ.
  • In 2026, a civil jury found the city of Seattle liable for Mays Jr.'s death and awarded his family over $30 million.

The players

Antonio Mays Jr.

A 16-year-old who was fatally shot inside the CHAZ during the 2020 BLM riots in Seattle.

Antonio Mays Sr.

The father of Antonio Mays Jr., who reacted emotionally to the jury's verdict.

Seattle

The city that was found liable by the civil jury for the death of Antonio Mays Jr. during the 2020 BLM riots and the formation of the CHAZ.

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What they’re saying

“I can't say that it feels good. I can't say that it feels complete because it doesn't. I'm thankful for the verdict, I'm thankful for the success, but it doesn't feel like a resolve.”

— Antonio Mays Sr., Father of Antonio Mays Jr. (The Seattle Times)

What’s next

The city attorney's office did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation's request for comment, indicating they may appeal the jury's decision.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal and political fallout from the 2020 BLM protests and the city's controversial decision to allow the formation of the CHAZ. The jury's verdict underscores the city's liability for failing to protect public safety and the life of a teenager during the unrest, raising questions about the city's handling of the crisis and the broader implications for law enforcement and municipal governance.