Napa reaches $1 million settlement over deadly 2021 police shooting
The city of Napa has settled a civil lawsuit for $1 million over police shooting and killing a 26-year-old man in 2021.
On Oct. 6, 2021, police received a report of a family dispute outside of a home in the 1600 block of Pear Tree Lane. The caller said a neighbor's son, later identified as 26-year-old Jeremy Vellenoweth, had a rifle pointed at his father in front of their home.
Vellenoweth still had the shotgun pointed at his father when police arrived and he allegedly later pointed it at officers.
A police sergeant shot Vellenoweth, causing him to drop the gun. Vellenoweth was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died.
The shooting was investigated by the Napa County Major Crimes Task Force and led by the county Sheriff's Office.
On Feb. 3, 2023, Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced criminal charges wouldn't be filed against the officer who shot Vellenoweth. Haley said using deadly force "was a reasonable and lawful response" by the officer, and that criminal charges were "neither warranted nor supported by the evidence."
Vellonoweth's family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in October 2022 against the city and the officer.
"Following extensive investigation and litigation, which counsel advised would continue to be disruptive and expensive, the parties reached a settlement on April 17, 2025 which includes a financial payment of $1 million to Mr. Vellenoweth's parents," said a statement released by the city of Napa and its Police Department.
The city said it denies liability for Vellenoweth's death and believes the sergeant's actions were appropriate given what appeared to be an immediate threat to life.
"We regret Mr. Vellenoweth's death," City Manager Steve Potter said in the statement. "The city believes that the sergeant did the right thing in life-threatening circumstances. It also believes that the best resolution of this litigation was this difficult settlement, which satisfies no one, but which allows the department and community to avoid disruptive litigation stretching far into the future. We wish the best for Mr. Vellenoweth's family."
Napa police said it has already released bodycam footage, police radio traffic and 911 calls related to the shooting. The full report on the case can be found at https://www.countyofnapa.org/DocumentCenter/View/27908/Pear-Tree-Lane-OIS-Report-02032023.
