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The devastated family of a veteran firefighter, 44, who was fatally shot by a resentful coworker at the Agua Dulce fire station, was paid out $7.2 million on Tuesday.
After a two-year-long battle, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors agreed to settle with the Carlon family after county counsel advised them of the risk of litigation costs if the case dragged on.
Tory Carlon was fatally shot by Jonathan Patrick Tatone while on duty at L.A. County Fire Station 81 on June 1, 2021.
In the lawsuit filed by his widow Heidi Carlon and their three daughters on January 20, 2022, it alleged that Tatone had 'clearly' shown leadership that he was mentally unstable during his employment.
It also alleged that Los Angeles County Fire Department Leadership chose to 'ignore, normalize and ratify Tatone's dangerous conduct'.
Tory Carlon was fatally shot by Jonathan Patrick Tatone while on duty at L.A. County Fire Station 81 in Aqua Dulce on June 1, 2021
The lawsuit was against the filed by his widow Heidi Carlon and their three daughters against the County of Los Angeles on January 20, 2022 for their negligence in supervising Tatone whose behavior had been reported to the fire house leadership by Tory
Two years before the shooting, Tory documented his tense interactions with Tatone in a notebook and department calendar. As it escalated, Tatone told him the next step would be 'fists flying,' the Los Angeles Times reported
Two years before the shooting, Tory documented his tense interactions with Tatone in a notebook and department calendar. As it escalated, Tatone told him the next step would be 'fists flying,' the Los Angeles Times reported.
Tory voiced his concerns to L.A. County Fire Department captains and chiefs, but the lawsuit alleged that nothing was done.
Tory and Tatone were both fire engineers. Despite working different shifts on that fateful day, Tatone returned to the fire station where he murdered Tory.
Tatone also shot and injured Fire Captain Arnoldo Sandoval before driving to his home in Acton, setting it on fire and killing himself.
Sandoval settled with the board last year and received nearly $2.6 million.
Tory Carlon's daughter Joslyn (pictured middle) spoke at her father's memorial service on July 17, 2021. She described how her dad 'could make her smile even when she didn't want to' and 'gave the best advice'
The Carlon family's attorney, Thomas Johnston, released a statement thanking the board for their efforts in bringing this case to a close and providing the family closure
The Carlon family's attorney, Thomas Johnston, released a statement thanking the board for their efforts in bringing this case to a close and providing the family with some closure.
In a GoFundMe campaign that was created a day after the fire house shooting, it described Tory as 'an extremely dedicated father and husband' who had a calming effect on people.
The post has raised $293,116 for the Carlon family toward its $200,000 goal.
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