Officer who killed Philando Castile to receive $48,500 buyout from city

MINNEAPOLIS—The Minnesota police officer who was acquitted in last year’s fatal shooting of black motorist Philando Castile will receive $48,500 as he leaves the suburban department that employed him at the time of the killing, according to a separation agreement announced Monday.

Jeronimo Yanez will be paid the money in a lump sum, minus applicable deductions and withholdings for state and federal taxes. Under the five-page agreement released through a public records request, the Minneapolis suburb of St. Anthony also will pay Yanez for up to 600 hours of accrued and unused personal leave pay. The agreement, which has Monday’s date, doesn’t say how much time he has accrued.

Castile, a 32-year-old elementary school cafeteria worker, was shot by Yanez during a traffic stop on July 6, 2016, after Castile told the officer he was armed. Castile had a permit for his gun.

The shooting gained widespread attention after Castile’s girlfriend, who was in the car along with her then4-year-old daughter, livestreamed its gruesome aftermath on Facebook.

Yanez, who is 29 and Latino, was acquitted of manslaughter and other charges in June. On the day of the verdict, the city announced the “public will be best served” if Yanez were no longer an officer.

The city said Monday that the agreement “ends all employment rights” for Yanez.