Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Mortensen suit settled for $50,000

The lawsuit against a Metro Police officer who gunned down a gang member in a drive-by shooting has been settled for a $50,000 payment from the officer's homeowners insurance company.

The federal lawsuit filed by the family of Daniel Mendoza is still proceeding against Metro Police and former officer Christopher Brady and a trial is expected to be held in the fall, said attorney Kenneth Roberts, who represents the victim's family.

Roberts said the case against Ron Mortensen was settled because the man has been convicted of murder and there are no family assets. He explained the "modest" settlement with the insurance was better than risking a court ruling that the insurance company did not have the responsibility to pay for the intentional act.

Mortensen and Brady were off duty and on a drunken spree while celebrating Mortensen's birthday Dec. 28, 1996, according to court testimony at the trial.

The two drove by Mendoza's apartment in a gang area near Paradise Road and Twain Avenue and Mortensen fired several shots, killing the 21-year-old victim.

Mortensen is serving a life prison term without the possibility of parole for the conviction. Brady, who reported the incident to detectives two days later, was not charged.

Roberts said that from the research he has done, this is the only case in the nation where an officer has been convicted of a drive-by slaying.

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