Saratoga Springs shooting victim to meet city officials for potential settlement in May

Cali Brown, who was injured during a shooting in downtown Saratoga Springs on November 20, 2022, is preparing to meet with city officials in May to discuss a potential settlement related to her lawsuit against the city and its police department. Brown alleges that officers recklessly discharged their firearms and failed to ensure the safety of innocent bystanders during the incident.

The meeting, scheduled to involve city attorney Kevin Burke and Brown's attorney, Stephen Coffey, comes after court documents revealed plans for resolution. An insurance adjuster will participate by phone, and Burke is authorized to negotiate a settlement for the case, which has garnered significant attention since its filing.

The lawsuit stems from chaotic events triggered by an altercation involving an off-duty Vermont deputy who was surrounded and attacked by a group of approximately six individuals. In response to a threat, the deputy drew his firearm, leading to an exchange of gunfire that left Brown injured as a bystander.

During the incident, which saw seven to eight shots fired, police arrived and confronted the deputy, who reportedly did not comply with orders to drop his weapon. As a result of the escalating situation, officers shot the deputy, Vito Caselnova, inflicting ten bullet wounds on him. The case against him, initially charged with attempted murder, was dismissed by a judge in September 2023.

Brown’s claims center on the assertion that she was a victim of the reckless actions of law enforcement during the shooting. As the settlement discussions approach, her case highlights the ongoing concerns regarding police conduct in high-pressure situations.