Teen Suspect Charged With Murder In Stavian Rodriguez Death

A 17-year-old who was with 15-year-old Stavian Rodriguez the night he was killed by police has been charged with first-degree murder, as a juvenile, in connection with his death, according to Oklahoma County court records.

Rodriguez died Nov. 23 after officers were called to a robbery in progress at the Okie Gas & Express store, located in the 7900 block of South Western Avenue in Oklahoma City. According to police, Rodriguez "did not follow the commands of the police officers on scene. Multiple officers discharged their weapons, which resulted in (Rodriguez's) death."

According to the probable cause affidavit, police said Wyatt Allen Cheatham admitted to planning and committing the robbery at the store with Rodriguez.

Cheatham was charged with first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm, according to Oklahoma County court records.

According to investigators' documents, Cheatham was discovered through digital evidence found on Rodriguez's phone. Cheatham was seen holding what appeared to be the same weapon from the robbery scene.

Cheatham was also seen on security footage inside the store twice, once a few minutes before the alleged robbery and then during the robbery. Video appears to show Cheatham with Rodriguez, Stavian with a weapon held on the store clerk and Wyatt behind the counter filling a backpack with cigarettes.

They left the store, but Rodriguez returned a couple minutes later, according to the document. At this time, the store clerk climbed out of the building through its drive-thru window, locked the front door from outside and flagged down a person who then called 911.

Black Lives Matter OKC and supporters held a press conference on Thanksgiving to voice their demands in response to the deadly shooting.

“It really struck me that we’re having to try to balance gratefulness versus grieving,” said Rev. T Sheri Dickerson, BLM OKC. 

The press conference was held the day after protesters chanted the name of the teenager shot and killed by officers. They voiced their anger after videos showed Rodriguez being gunned down after he surrendered his weapon. 

Related Story: OKC Teen Fatally Shot By Police Appeared To Have Put The Weapon On The Ground