Canton Reached Settlement in Fatal Shooting Lawsuit
The city and the family of James Williams have agreed to terms in a federal civil rights lawsuit.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Law Enforcement
The city of Canton and the family of 46-year-old James Williams have reached a tentative settlement in a federal civil rights lawsuit regarding his 2022 death. The agreement follows the cancellation of a scheduled jury trial for the case.
Why it matters
The settlement resolves a high-profile case that previously went before the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, which denied qualified immunity for the officer involved. The resolution avoids a trial that would have scrutinized police conduct during the incident.
The federal civil rights lawsuit has been dismissed without prejudice pending a final settlement agreement. A Stark County grand jury previously declined to charge Officer Robert Huber.
The players
James Williams
He was a 46-year-old man who died after being shot by a Canton police officer.
Robert Huber
He is the Canton police officer who shot James Williams through a six-foot fence.
Marquetta Williams
She is the plaintiff who filed the federal civil rights lawsuit against the city of Canton.
The details
The lawsuit stemmed from a January 1, 2022, shooting in which Officer Robert Huber fired at James Williams through a six-foot fence. While Williams was firing a rifle into the air, the suit alleged he posed no threat to the officer or others.
Timeline
James Williams was killed by a police officer on January 1, 2022.
Legal counsel notified the court of the settlement on September 18, 2026.
A final pretrial conference was scheduled and then canceled on September 21, 2026.
Parties must submit a final agreement and dismissal order by October 19, 2026.
Legal Context
This settlement concludes a case defined by the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that denied qualified immunity for Robert Huber. The outcome reflects broader trends in federal civil rights litigation where appellate decisions often dictate the terms of local settlements.
The resolution of this lawsuit prevents further public expenditure on a trial that was set to examine local police conduct. Residents may view this as the conclusion of a significant legal dispute involving city law enforcement policies.
The takeaway
This settlement brings a close to a multi-year legal conflict that challenged local use-of-force policies. The outcome underscores the ongoing importance of judicial oversight in civil rights cases involving law enforcement agencies.
What happens next
The parties are expected to submit their proposed final settlement agreement and order of dismissal to the court by October 19, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on legal developments, visit the Law Enforcement section.
