U.S. Settles With Man Injured at Ruby Ridge

The federal government paid $380,000 Friday to Kevin Harris, who alleged his rights were violated when an FBI sniper wounded him during the 1992 Ruby Ridge siege.

The Justice Department announced the settlement of the last remaining civil lawsuit arising from the weeklong standoff at the Idaho compound of white separatist Randy Weaver. The government did not admit any liability as it paid Harris to drop his $10-million suit.

In 1995, the government paid Weaver and his three surviving children $3.1 million in the killing of Weaver’s wife, Vicki, and son, Samuel.

Earlier this year, a federal appeals court upheld a lower court ruling that dismissed state criminal charges against the FBI sniper, Lon Horiuchi. The same shot by Horiuchi, a member of the bureau’s hostage rescue team, killed Vicki Weaver and wounded Harris.

Assistant Atty. Gen. David Ogden said Friday, “This settlement resolves this long pending case in a way that is fair to the United States and all involved.”

The Ruby Ridge siege, which led to new rules governing when FBI agents can fire their guns, had its origins in 1991. That year, Weaver, who had been charged with firearms-related offenses, was indicted for failure to appear at his trial.

In 1992, Weaver’s case was referred to the U.S. Marshals, who sought to persuade him to surrender. Instead of surrendering, Weaver remained on his remote property along with his wife and children, and their friend, Harris.

On Aug. 21, 1992, while U.S. Marshals were watching the Weaver property, an exchange of gunfire broke out and resulted in the deaths of Deputy Marshal William Degan and Weaver’s son, Samuel.

Randy Weaver and Harris were later acquitted of federal charges of killing Degan.

On the second day of the standoff, the FBI hostage rescue team arrived. Horiuchi fired at Harris, who was armed, as Harris retreated toward the cabin. The bullet passed through the curtained window of the cabin door, killed Vicki Weaver, who was standing behind the door holding an infant, and wounded Harris.