City of St. Paul reaches $9.5 million settlement with family of teen shot at rec center
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The city of St. Paul has reached a $9.5 million settlement with the family of a teenager who was shot and critically injured by an employee at a city recreation center in 2023.
The St. Paul City Council approved the settlement at its meeting on Wednesday afternoon.
JuVaughn Turner, then 16, was shot in the head by Exavir Binford Jr. amid a fight outside the Jimmy Lee Recreation Center in January 2023. Binford eventually pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and was sentenced to a decade in prison.
An attorney representing JuVaughn’s mother, Margarita Davison, said at Binford’s sentencing in 2024 that her son had to have a portion of his skull removed and still suffered from seizures, among other ongoing effects of the shooting.
Davison filed a lawsuit alleging that the city of St. Paul knew Binford had a history of violent conduct and threats toward minors.
The settlement will “fully and finally resolve the lawsuit,” city spokesperson Matt Wagenius said in a statement. “This case involved a tragic incident, and the city believes this resolution allows Ms. Davison and her son the continued medical care and individual assistance he requires.”
“Since this incident occurred, we have worked to restore trust and make meaningful changes to ensure the safety of our staff and visitors. We take these matters very seriously and remain committed to continually evaluating and improving our public safety policies and practices,” Wagenius said. “St. Paul recreation centers are a vital asset in our community, and providing safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces is our top priority.”
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