DJ Henry’s Family Reaches $6 Million Settlement With Village

James Miranda/The Pace Chronicle.

Left: The clock tower built in honor of DJ Henry outside of Goldstein Health and Fitness Center. Top Right: The clock face with only a No. 12 in honor of DJ’s jersey number. Bottom right: The plaque at the foot of the clock tower that honors DJ.

Danroy “DJ” Henry’s family reached a $6 million settlement with the Village of Pleasantville in their case against the Village and Pleasantville Police Department officer Aaron Hess, who shot and killed Henry on Oct. 17, 2010, according to Michael Sussman, the Henry family’s attorney.

Sussman said the defendants had made an Offer of Judgment and, after a two-week period, the Henry family accepted it last week.

“The Village of Pleasantville has been informed by its counsel that the Henry family has agreed to settle their case against the Village,” Village of Pleasantville Mayor Peter M. Scherer said in a statement. “The settlement resolves this case against Pleasantville and all Village defendants. We appreciate the efforts of everyone involved to bring closure to this tragic story.”

Sussman said the family’s case against the Town of Mt. Pleasant is moving forward.

Henry’s family had filed a federal lawsuit in the aftermath of DJ’s death, but it was closed in April 2015 when prosecutors said that “they could not determine intentional wrongdoing” on Hess’s part, according to the Boston Globe. However, they brought a civil suit against the police officer.

Cara Cea, Pace’s Associate Director of Media Relations Staff, said the university would not make a statement at this point.

“The Henrys have been clear from the beginning that no monetary settlement could ever replace the deep loss of their beloved son D.J.” read a statement by the Henry family shared in various news media. “While this aspect of their lawsuit has now been resolved, they will continue to deal with their deep loss by focusing on faith, family, and the important work of the DJ Henry Dream Fund, which has provided opportunities for thousands of young people and will continue to do so.”