Rylan Wilder, teen mistakenly shot by Des Plaines police at Chicago music school, receives $1.9M settlement
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A teenage boy who was shot by a Des Plaines police officer in 2019 inside a Chicago music school has agreed to a $1.9 million settlement to end his lawsuit.
It comes four years after a Des Plaines police officer shot the teen while pursuing a bank robbery suspect.
Rylan Wilder's lawsuit against the city of Des Plaines was settled just as jury selection for a trial was about to start.
Rylan Wilder shot in arm
Wilder was interning at Upbeat Music and Arts School in Chicago when he was shot in the arm by police back in 2019.
That Des Plaines police officer chased the suspect to Chicago and into the music school on the Northwest Side when he opened fire.
In a lawsuit later filed by Wilder's lawyers, they claimed Des Plaines police officer James Armstrong's actions were excessive and reckless, and did not consider the safety of innocent citizens.
Wilder has since undergone 18 surgeries, and said he still has no feeling in his left arm, hand, and fingers.
Gun battle inside the school
The bank robbery suspect, 32-year-old Christopher Willis, was shot and killed in a gun battle inside the school.
Surveillance footage from inside the music school showed Wilder jumping out of the way when a Des Plaines Police officer opened fire, killing Willis, while Wilder was shot in the arm.
"We believe this officer could've waited a split second," said Wilder's attorney, Tim Cavanagh.
At a news conference on Thursday, Wilder talked about how the shooting changed his life.
"Since I was injured, I was in the hospital for two weeks, through 18 surgeries, and did physical therapy for about three years, three hours a day. And then outside of all of that, just doing school, working, and playing music," he said. "I think it really put how much I love music to the test, and it showed me how resilient I am."
Wilder said he'd like to see action taken on a larger scale regarding better police training, to ensure others aren't accidentally shot the way he was.
"Better training for police; some regulations, or laws, or something just to make everyone feel a little bit safer," he said.
Decision to settle
In a statement, Des Plaines Mayor Andrew Goczkowski said Willis had already shot a Chicago police officer during the chase, before fleeing into the Upbeat Music and Art Studio.
"Willis pushed past the students and entered the studio. Officer Armstrong followed Willis into the studio and yelled several times for him to drop his gun. As the suspect ran toward the back of the studio, he pointed his gun in the direction of Officer Armstrong. In fear of his safety and those around him, Officer Armstrong fired his rifle at Willis," Goczkowski said. "Rylan Wilder, an innocent bystander, in his attempt to run away from Willis, unfortunately, ran in front of Officer Armstrong as he was discharging his weapon at armed Willis. Wilder was struck in the arm and suffered serious injuries."
Goczkowski said the city's insurance company decided to settle the Wilder family's lawsuit, but as part of the settlement, the city did not admit to any wrongdoing or liability.
"Additionally, Officer Armstrong was dismissed from the lawsuit and cleared of any wrongdoing. This settlement does not reflect the heroic actions that Officer Armstrong took that day, putting his life at risk to save others. Officer Armstrong is still employed with the City of Des Plaines," Goczkowski said. "Our officers are dedicated to upholding the principles of justice and community service. Our sincere sympathies go out to the Wilder family regarding the injuries Rylan sustained."
But to Cavanagh, the $1.9 million settlement is "the admission of fault."
Now 19, WIlder said he's forging ahead.
"My playing is a lot different than it used to be. but I'm trying to make it work," he said.
Music remains a huge part of Wilder's life. Even with all the physical therapy, he's been in the studio recording music. His first single is expected to drop on Halloween.
