Oklahoma City Council Approves $875,000 Settlement In Stavian Rodriguez Case

The Oklahoma City Council voted 5-3 on Tuesday to approve a proposed $875,000 settlement agreement with the family of Stavian Rodriguez, a 15-year-old who was fatally shot by police in November 2020 during an armed robbery.

Rodriguez’s death occurred outside a convenience store after officers gave him commands to exit through a drive-thru window, the only unlocked exit. Surveillance footage shows Rodriguez dropping his weapon before being shot 13 times by officers.

Background: $875K Lawsuit Settlement With Family Of Stavian Rodriguez Heads To Oklahoma City Council

The settlement resolves a 2021 civil lawsuit filed by Rodriguez’s mother, Cameo Holland, who argued the police response was excessive, disorganized, and disorienting. The lawsuit also highlighted conflicting commands given to Rodriguez before the shooting.

Although the officers involved were initially charged with first-degree manslaughter, those charges were dismissed in July 2023 by District Attorney Vicki Behenna, sparking criticism from Holland, who described the decision as a failure of justice.

The Oklahoma City Police Department has since implemented new training to improve de-escalation tactics and expanded the use of less-lethal weapons.