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Family of 8-year-old girl fatally shot by Pennsylvania police reaches $11 million settlement | CNN

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Family of 8-year-old girl fatally shot by Pennsylvania police reaches $11 million settlement | CNN




CNN
 — 

The family of an 8-year-old girl who was shot and killed by police gunfire near a Pennsylvania high school football game in 2021 has settled its lawsuit against a Philadelphia suburb, its police chief, and the three officers involved for $11 million.

Fanta Bility was shot and killed when police opened fire on a car in Pennsylvania’s Sharon Hill Borough, CNN previously reported. Police started shooting after a verbal fight between teens escalated to a gunfight, according to officials. Three others were also injured in the shooting, including Fanta’s 12-year-old sister who was inside the car.

Three former police officers – Brian Devaney, Sean Dolan, and Devon Smith – were fired and later sentenced to probation in connection to Fanta’s death in May. They pleaded guilty to charges of reckless endangerment. The three men were initially charged with manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter, but the charges were dropped as part of a plea deal.

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“There is no amount of money that will ever bring Fanta back or erase the memory of the horrible tragedy that occurred on August 27, 2021, from our minds,” said Siddiq Kamara, a spokesperson for the Bility family, in a statement. “However, with the criminal and civil cases now resolved, we hope to move on and focus specifically on the Fanta Bility Foundation and keeping Fanta’s legacy alive.”

The family established the foundation on what would have been Fanta’s 10th birthday to “ensure she is never forgotten,” advocate for police training, and help support families and children around the country, according to the nonprofit’s website.

Investigators were unable to determine which officer fired the fatal bullet, according to the Delaware County District Attorney’s office.

As a part of the settlement, Sharon Hill Borough has agreed to provide more extensive training to its officers, especially with regard to the use of deadly force, according to a statement from the family’s attorneys.

“Though this chapter has come to an end, our hearts and the spirit of the Sharon Hill community will be forever changed,” a statement from the Borough of Sharon Hill reads. “Although we cannot undo the tragic events of that day, we hope that the resolution of the lawsuit might provide those impacted a small measure of closure.”

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Robert DiDomenicis, the attorney representing Sharon Hill, the three officers involved, and the police chief, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.



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Pennsylvania representative on campus protests – KYMA

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Pennsylvania representative on campus protests – KYMA


(CBS, KYMA/KECY) – Pennsylvania Representative Summer Lee spoke with Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation on Sunday about the protests at college campuses around the country.

“To be honest, we don’t” Lee said when asked whether she sees excitement among college-age pro-Palestinian protesters about voting for Joe Biden. “The number one goal for them right now…is that they want to see a ceasefire in Gaza.”

When asked if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the protests on U.S. college campuses, Lee said, “This idea that every criticism of Israel is antisemitic is dangerous. There is fair critique we must make of every government, of every war, of every appropriation.”

Earlier in the interview, Brennan and Lee talked about Governor Josh Shapiro’s comments when appeared on Face the Nation last week, saying if President Biden’s pause on natural gas permits goes on for a long time, it’ll cost Pennsylvania jobs, and whether Lee’s concerned about it.

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“I think that there’s a lot to be concerned about. I think that when we look at these polls, you know, we’ll pull out one issue at a time. But the reality is, is that there are a number of issues mixed together that make voters feel confident, that make voters, some other voters, feel hopeless, or feel like maybe there’s a little reason to participate. And I think that we’re dealing with that a lot, right? When we talk to voters throughout my election, we talked to a lot of voters who, whether it’s the economy, the price of you know, goods, gas, food, things of that nature, or abortion, like all of these different issues made voters feel like there was very little options that they had, and that they didn’t want to participate. And we have to figure out something very quickly to address that.”

Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA)

To watch more of Brennan’s interview with Lee, click here.



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Reporter’s Notebook: Trump and Biden duke it out in Pennsylvania – Washington Examiner

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Reporter’s Notebook: Trump and Biden duke it out in Pennsylvania – Washington Examiner


Washington Examiner National Political Correspondent Mabinty Quarshie joins Magazine Executive Editor Jim Antle to discuss Pennsylvania‘s impact on the electoral vote in 2024, former President Donald Trump‘s problems with suburban voters in the state, and President Joe Biden‘s efforts to court former Republican candidate Nikki Haley’s supporters.



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Pro-Palestinian protesters remain on University of Pennsylvania's campus despite warnings to disband

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Pro-Palestinian protesters remain on University of Pennsylvania's campus despite warnings to disband


PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — It’s been more than 24 hours since the University of Pennsylvania called for a group of pro-Palestinian protestors to pack up and leave campus.

The encampment includes both students and outside demonstrators. Organizers say they aren’t going anywhere.

“We have three demands and we will not be leaving until those demands are met,” explained Emma Herndon, a student organizer of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment.

On Thursday, a rally at City Hall led the group to the University of Pennsylvania campus where they set up camp.

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“Our demands are to disclose the university endowment, to divest from Israeli, and defend voices of pro-Palestine voices on campus,” explained Herndon.

On Friday, Penn’s interim president called for the group to disband.

“Failure to disband the encampment immediately and to adhere to Penn’s policies will result in sanctions consistent with our due process procedures as they apply to students, faculty, and staff,” expressed Interim President J. Larry Jameson in a letter to the community.

WATCH | Penn’s interim president warns pro-Palestinian protesters to disband encampment immediately

Penn’s interim president warns pro-Palestinian protesters to disband encampment immediately

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“As students and as members of the Philadelphia community we have rights to protest and take a space on this campus,” said Herndon.

The letter, however, mentions credible reports of harassment and intimidation, which have been documented.

It goes on to mention the encampment itself violates the university’s facilities policies and certain actions by some protestors violate Penn’s open expression guidelines as well as state and federal law.

“I support the right for people to protest always as they should have. I think it brings in a lot of outsider antagonists,” explained one Penn student to Action News.

Students want campus life to return to what it was, while university officials say maintaining a safe inclusive campus is a priority.

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“The general feeling on campus is obviously we want no violence but somehow they’re gonna have to move,” a student said.

Meanwhile, Jewish students from neighboring schools are concerned.

“If you’re going to make intense claims you have to stand behind it. I’m letting them see me. It’s making a lot of bold claims with a lot of fear goals rather than trying to spread a message of hope for something better,” said Daniel Nahamo, a Drexel student.

A ‘Say No to Hate’ rally is planned for Sunday in support of the Jewish community.

Read the full letter sent to the Penn community on Friday:

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“To the Penn community,

At Penn, we pursue our academic mission guided by fundamental commitments to upholding freedom of inquiry and open expression, while maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful campus community.

Over the last 24 hours, we have closely monitored the protest that evolved into an encampment on College Green. We have vigilantly supported the rights of our community members to protest peacefully. Representatives from Open Expression, University Life, and faculty leadership have engaged with some of the protestors, with limited access to the broader group.

Unfortunately, blatant violations of University policies and credible reports of harassing and intimidating conduct compel us to protect the safety and security of our campus community.

The encampment itself violates the University’s facilities policies. The harassing and intimidating comments and actions by some of the protesters, which were reported and documented by many in our community, violate Penn’s open expression guidelines and state and federal law, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. All members of our community deserve to access our facilities without fear of harassment or being subjected to discriminatory comments or threats.

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The vandalism of the statue in front of College Hall with antisemitic graffiti was especially reprehensible and will be investigated as a hate crime.

As we have repeatedly emphasized, we will uphold free speech and the productive exchange of ideas, but we will not allow any actions that harass, threaten, or intimidate others. We have also said that the safety of our community is paramount, and we will live up to our commitment.

I am deeply saddened and troubled that our many efforts to respectfully engage in discourse, support open expression, and create a community that is free of hate and inclusive for everyone have been ignored by those who choose to disrupt and intimidate.

We have notified the protestors of their legal and policy violations. Failure to disband the encampment immediately and to adhere to Penn’s policies will result in sanctions consistent with our due process procedures as they apply to students, faculty, and staff.”

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