Five Oklahoma City police officers have been charged with first-degree manslaughter following the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Stavian Rodriguez in November 2020. The officers—Bethany Sears, Jared Barton, Corey Adams, John Skuta, and Brad Pemberton—fired lethal rounds during an incident at a convenience store. A sixth officer, Sarah Carli, used a 'less-lethal' weapon and will not face charges.
Surveillance footage obtained by KOCO appears to show Rodriguez cooperating with police before being shot. The video shows him climbing out of a drive-thru window with his hands raised, then lifting his shirt to reveal a weapon in his waistband, which he removes and drops to the ground. As he reaches into his pocket, officers open fire. An autopsy found Rodriguez suffered 13 gunshot wounds.
District Attorney David Prater stated that after being hit with a less-lethal round, the five officers 'unnecessarily fire lethal rounds at Rodriguez, striking him numerous times and inflicting mortal wounds.' Wyatt Cheatham, who admitted involvement in the robbery, has also been charged with first-degree murder under Oklahoma's felony murder rule.
John George, president of the Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police, defended the officers, saying they 'must make life and death decisions in a split second' and that five officers 'perceived the same threat and simultaneously fired their weapons.' The officers have not yet commented through legal representation.
