The family of Antonio Mays Jr. is at peace after securing a victory in King County court on January 29, 2026. After nearly five years of awaiting justice, the Mays family received a verdict in the case surrounding the tragic death of their son, who was part of CHOP.
According to The Seattle Times, after a 12-day deliberation, King County jurors returned a verdict against the city of Seattle. Eleven of the 12 jurors found the city negligent in its emergency response to the teenager’s fatal shooting. Judge Sean O’Donnell ordered $30 million in compensation.
JUST IN — A jury has found the City of Seattle negligent and liable for the 2020 CHAZ/CHOP killing of Antonio Mays Jr.
The family has been awarded roughly $30 MILLION.
Watch as Antonio Mays Sr. breaks down in tears after hearing the verdict. pic.twitter.com/m1lZkzjjiF
— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) January 29, 2026
Of the $30 million award, $26 million will be paid to Mays Sr., while $4 million will go toward Mays Jr.’s estate. As soon as the verdict was announced, the late teen’s father broke down in the arms of his lawyer, Evan Oshan.
Mays Sr. shared his thoughts on the verdict while speaking to the press shortly after the decision in his son’s case. He said he was initially at a loss for words and wished that no parent would ever have to endure what he did.
He revealed that he had been separated from his wife and children, who were living in San Diego, throughout the trial. He also said he was grateful to have seen the case through.
Mays Sr. explained that his family had faced negative comments and speculation about his son in the five years since his death. He said his son’s name had been “dragged through the mud” and expressed gratitude that he was able to clear it.
Although he thanked the jury and those who supported him during the difficult period, he said the outcome still felt “incomplete,” calling it “the ultimate void that will never be filled.” The father reflected on the memories, lessons and moments of growth he shared with his son.
This opens up a huge can of worms for any sanctuary state or city! You tell your police force to stand down and you’re leaving yourself wide open to this! https://t.co/5JvcAzCcmI
— Badass (@Keepfighting250) January 29, 2026
While he fondly remembered moments with Mays Jr., the father broke down in tears and said, “Losing him is – I lost a big part of myself…Nothing’s going to fill that void.” He continued to stress the importance of accountability, saying authorities had reportedly neglected his son when he needed medical attention.
The victim was 16 years old when he was shot and killed on June 29, 2020. Mays Jr. was found dead inside a reportedly stolen Jeep. He was shot along with another minor, 14-year-old Robert West. The vehicle had crashed into barricades near the abandoned Seattle Police Department’s East Precinct, which was located within the CHOP zone.
In 2020, the killing of George Floyd sparked nationwide protests against police brutality and racism. Civil rights groups and no-police zones formed across the country to demand justice for Floyd and other victims of similar incidents.
One such no-police zone was the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest, or CHOP. It emerged after the Seattle Police Department reportedly abandoned the precinct on June 8, 2020, in an effort to de-escalate tensions.
CHOP participants occupied the police-free area, which spanned eight blocks. The zone was later disbanded on July 1, 2020, following growing reports of violence.
Because police did not enter the CHOP zone, a 911 call from bystanders proved futile. Medical response was delayed, prompting those present to rush both minors to a hospital. While West survived his injuries, Mays Jr. later succumbed to his wounds.
Breaking: I am in Seattle covering the first major trial against the city related to the 2020 Antifa-BLM CHAZ/CHOP.
The City of Seattle is accused of negligence in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Antonio Mays Jr., a 16-year-old black teen who was shot dead inside… pic.twitter.com/Xl4VaDoswF
— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) December 8, 2025
Reportedly, if Mays Jr.’s airways had been cleared, he could’ve survived his injuries despite being shot. Moreover, when the call had been made, emergency responders reportedly did not give clear instructions to those attempting to help Mays Jr. at the time. One of the main instructions that wasn’t given that day was where Mays Jr. was to be transported for medical assistance.
