CHICAGO — Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration has settled another police misconduct suit brought against the city.
City officials settled with the family of Cedrick Chatman, who in 2013 was shot by police while he was running away from officers in South Shore. Video of the incident was released in January following a three year struggle by the family to have it released.
READ: CEDRICK CHATMAN VIDEO SHOWS POLICE SHOT RUNNING TEEN
Chatman was in a stolen car with two others on January 7, 2013 when officers Lou Touth and Kevin Fry noticed the car and pulled it over near 75th Street and Jeffrey Avenue.
What happened during the next few seconds has been the source of legal debate for nearly three years.
According to a police statement released a day later, Chatman grabbed something from the car before jumping out and running off. The officers chased Chatman, who turned toward them and pointed a "black object" he was holding, according to Fraternal Order of Police spokesman Pat Camden.
Fry raised his gun and shot Chatman four times. Hours later, the teen was dead. The incident was caught on security camera as well as a police pod camera.
According to the judge who ordered the video's release, the footage shows Toth was just feet away from Cedrick when his partner opened fire, fatally striking the 17-year-old.
U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman said that Officer Kevin Fry's shots could have easily hit the pursuing Toth, according to his interpretation of the grainy video footage.
Lawyers for the city and the officers involved held up the release of the video, saying its release could taint a jury pool in the wrongful death suit brought against the city and police.
But the case never made it to trial, as the Chatman family lawyer, Brian Coffman, said a settlement has been reached and is pending approval by the City Council. Settlement details have not been released so as not to interfere with the council action, Coffman said in a statement.
"This will provide the family closure as they continue to celebrate the short life of Cedrick Chatman and grieve their loss," Coffman said. "It is the Chatman family's wish that what has happened to their young son will serve as a catalyst for change, not only in Chicago but in all of the systems around the country at every government level that are in desperate need of change."
City taxpayers have been on the hook for more than $500 million in lawsuit settlements brought against officers and the Police Department since 2004. In April, the city approved a $5 million payout to the family of Philip Coleman, who died in police custody in 2012.
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