Family Of 15-Year-Old Killed By OKC Police Awarded $875,000 Settlement By City Council

A metro mother and her family closed a long chapter in their fight for justice on Tuesday.

The Oklahoma City Council approved paying an $875,000 judgment to the mother of Stavian Rodriguez, the teenager killed in 2020 by Oklahoma City Police.

Cameo Holland and her attorney Rand Eddy were notified around 1 p.m. on Tuesday that the city council approved the settlement. The news was bitter-sweet for the mother, who is still grieving the loss of her son.

“We put a lot of work into this case,” said Rand Eddy, attorney. “We were a team.”

From the beginning, Eddy has been by Holland's side. Rodriguez’s mother spoke at a press conference four years ago when they announced plans to file the federal lawsuit.

“He was funny and he was smart,” said Cameo Holland, mother.

Holland wanted her son remembered for more than the end of his life. The teenager was shot and killed by five officers in November 2020 following his involvement in an attempted armed robbery at a convenience store in southwest Oklahoma City.

“At the start of this lawsuit it was my hope and goal to bring a sense of justice,” said Eddy.

Their wait for justice was delayed. The five officers who killed Rodriguez were initially charged with manslaughter; however, the Oklahoma County District Attorney dropped those charges in 2023. 

“These cases are very difficult,” said Eddy.

Eddy said there was a lot of negotiation with Oklahoma City attorneys to get to an agreed $875,000. He was unsure if the city council would approve the settlement but the council passed the settlement five to three during Executive Session.

“I feel on her behalf, it’s an incredible success,” said Eddy.

However, Eddy said money cannot undo a loss. “What Cameo has said to me is there is no amount that would be large enough in these circumstances,” said Eddy.

City council members declined to comment after Executive Session and a spokesperson for the city said they would not be offering any further comment on the terms of the settlement. 

The Oklahoma City Council approved another large lawsuit settlement last year of $1.05 million for the family of Bennie Edwards. He was shot and killed by an Oklahoma City officer in 2020.