OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — If an agreement is reached in a proposed settlement, the family of 15-year-old Stavian Rodriguez would get $875,000 from the city of Oklahoma City.
The on-going lawsuit was filed nearly four years ago by Rodriguez's mother, Cameo Holland.
The night of November 23, 2020, Oklahoma City Police say the 15-year-old was robbing an Okie Express convenience store at gunpoint.
In surveillance video, Rodriguez is seen climbing out of the drive-thru window holding a gun.
After dropping the gun, Rodriguez reaches towards his pants moments before being shot and killed by five Oklahoma City Police Officers.
According to an autopsy report obtained by News 4, Rodriguez was shot 13 times.
The incident sparked outrage in the metro community and led to protests outside of the Oklahoma City Police Department.
Hollands attorney, Rand Eddy said, "There's been statements that Stavian didn't obey commands like drop his gun or raise his hands or drop his hands which he all obeyed. What command did he not obey?"
In 2021, officers Bethany Sears, Jared Barton, Corey Adams, John Skuta and Brad Pemberton were charged with First Degree Manslaughter by former District Attorney David Prater.
"I don't understand why the Oklahoma City Police Department would need a conviction for them to lose their job. They did not need a conviction for my son to lose his life," said Holland.
In 2023, the charges against the five officers were dropped by District Attorney Vicki Behenna.
Behenna said in a 2023 press conference, "This decision that has been made is difficult. Police officers can use deadly force and that force can be justified."
Even though charges against the five officers were dropped last year, the federal lawsuit continued.
News 4 reached out to the District Attorney's Office wanting to know why the city decided to settle and dismiss the officers if charges were dropped.
We have not heard back yet.
