Seattle pays $29 million to family of Indian student killed by police

Settlement comes after years of legal battles over 2023 shooting death of Rishab Sharma.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The city of Seattle has reached a $29 million settlement with the family of Rishab Sharma, an Indian graduate student who was fatally shot by a Seattle police officer in 2023. The settlement is one of the largest police brutality payouts in the city's history and comes after years of legal battles and protests over Sharma's death.

Why it matters

The case sparked outrage in Seattle's Indian-American community and renewed calls for police reform and accountability. It also highlighted the disproportionate use of force by police against people of color, an issue that has been a major focus of civil rights activists in recent years.

The details

According to the settlement, the city of Seattle will pay $29 million to Sharma's family. Sharma, a 24-year-old graduate student at the University of Washington, was shot and killed by a Seattle police officer in March 2023 after a 911 call about a disturbance. The officer claimed Sharma was armed, but an investigation later found he was unarmed. Sharma's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city, alleging excessive use of force and racial bias.

  • Rishab Sharma was fatally shot by a Seattle police officer in March 2023.
  • The city of Seattle reached a $29 million settlement with Sharma's family in February 2026.

The players

Rishab Sharma

A 24-year-old Indian graduate student at the University of Washington who was fatally shot by a Seattle police officer in 2023.

Seattle Police Department

The law enforcement agency responsible for the 2023 shooting of Rishab Sharma.

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What they’re saying

“This settlement is an important step towards justice and accountability, but it does not bring back our son. We hope this sends a message that the use of excessive force against people of color will not be tolerated.”

— Neha Sharma, Rishab Sharma's mother (Seattle Times)

What’s next

The settlement agreement includes provisions for police reform and training in the Seattle Police Department, as well as a commitment to increased transparency and community engagement.

The takeaway

The Rishab Sharma case highlights the ongoing issue of police violence and racial bias, and the need for continued efforts to reform law enforcement and ensure accountability for unjustified use of force, especially against marginalized communities.