Cleveland, OH
Family of teen killed during 2019 Cleveland police chase to receive $4.8M in settlement
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The family of Tamia Chappman, the 13-year-old girl killed in 2019 during a chase between a stolen car and Cleveland police officers, announced Monday they have settled their civil lawsuit with the city of Cleveland for $4.8 million.
The settlement is the largest pursuit settlement in the state of Ohio.
Tamia died Dec. 20, 2019 after the car, stolen by two teenagers, crashed into her in East Cleveland during the high-speed pursuit. A Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas judge sentenced the 16-year-old driver in Oct. of 2021 to a prison term of 26 to 31 years, with at least nine years being mandatory.
The second teen, who was a passenger, pleaded guilty in juvenile court in April 2020 and was sentenced to four years at the Ohio Department of Youth Services.
RELATED STORY: Teen driver sentenced to at least 26 years for chase which ended in crash that killed 13-year-old girl
Tamia’s family filed a lawsuit against the city in May of 2020.
The Chappman family attorneys said former Mayor Frank Jackson and then-police chief Calvin Williams did not apologize for the deadly chase that occurred during their tenure.
A public records request from 19 News revealed the city spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees, as of May 2023, to defend itself in the civil suit.
RELATED STORY: City of Cleveland spends hundreds of thousands to fight lawsuit in death of 13-year-old Tamia Chapman
City spokesperson Tyler Sinclair released the following statement to 19 News:
The City’s decision to settle this case was an extremely difficult one. The police pursuit in question was initiated due to a violent armed carjacking of an innocent 72-year-old woman outside of a grocery store. The criminals were quickly identified and cowardly chose to flee from police leading to the tragic death of an innocent 13-year-old girl. They were arrested, later convicted of crimes related to both incidents, and are currently serving decades-long prison sentences.
On one hand, you have police officers who were trying to do their job to remove violent armed individuals from the streets so they couldn’t victimize more people and commit additional violent crimes. On the other hand, a 13-year-old girl was tragically killed leaving her family, friends, and entire community in heartbreak.
The City had to consider all relevant factors prior to this outcome, including a potential trial and additional costs, but we want to be clear that there are no winners or losers in a case as tragic as this one and – while it is easy to point fingers one way or another – the fact remains that if the armed carjacker never committed that crime then Tamia would still be here with us today.
Additionally, it would be inaccurate to suggest that the City has not made any progress under the consent decree since this incident, as the Division of Police received upgraded compliance from the independent Monitoring Team in 35 benchmarks – equating to a 400% net increase – just last year, which includes improvements in Use of Force, Accountability, and numerous other categories. We look forward to building on that progress in the months to come.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2024 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
TRACKING: Rounds of thunderstorms and downpours
CLEVELAND (WJW) – A weakening cluster of thunderstorms will move across the area late tonight. Some small hail and gusty winds are possible in a few thunderstorms. Most of the rain and thunderstorms will move out by 1-2 a.m.
Temperatures will only drop into the lower 60s Monday night, which is warmer than the average high for this time of year.
This stretch of unsettled weather will continue through Thursday. Clusters and complexes of downpours and storms will fire up a slow-moving front across Midwest this week. These clusters will impact Northeast Ohio at times Monday night through Thursday.
One of the wetter and stormier days this week will be Tuesday. A cluster of downpours and storms will drop south across the area around or just after midday. Depending on the rain and cloud coverage in the morning, a few strong storms will be possible Tuesday afternoon/evening. With a line of storms expected, the main threat will be strong to damaging wind gusts. Here’s Tuesday’s Futurecast:
Tuesday will be another unseasonably warm spring day, with high temperatures once again well above 70 degrees. The clouds and rain may impact Tuesday’s highs.
The unseasonably warm spring weather will continue through the start of the upcoming weekend. The next cool down will not come until the end of the weekend.
Here’s the 8 day forecast:
Stay up-to-date by downloading the FOX 8 apps, including the new FOX 8 CLE+ streaming app available for free on Amazon Fire, Roku, and Apple TV.
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland building catches on fire after driver crashes into it
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A driver crashed into a building early Monday morning, causing it to catch on fire.
This happened at The Midland Hardware Company in the 1500 block of W. 117th Street around 6 a.m.
The business is located next door to the Taco Bell and on the Lakewood border.
When firefighters arrived, the driver was trapped inside the vehicle and needed to be rescued.
The driver’s condition has not been released.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
BODY CAM: Cleveland Police officer shoots man during domestic violence call
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Division of Police Force Investigation Team is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred on April 4.
According to Cleveland Police, an officer shot a man while responding to a domestic violence situation around 1:30 a.m. in the 16500 block of Lipton Avenue.
Officers later learned that the involved subject, 33-year-old Charles Motley, Jr., was in a car outside the home.
The caller told officers that the man had a firearm and was threatening “suicide by cop,” which police described as “engaging the officers to force them to shoot him.”
According to the incident report, when officers arrived Motley exited the vehicle and brandished a shotgun.
In the body camera footage, officers gave multiple commands to drop the weapon, Motley instead raised the weapon at the officers.
One officer fired their weapon and struck Motley in the head, according to the incident report.
Officers rendered first aid until Cleveland EMS arrived and took him to University Hospital, where he was reported in stable condition.
According to the release, officers recovered a firearm on the scene.
Police said this is an active investigation and there are no further updates at this time.
According to court records, Motley is currently in jail and is being held on a $50,000 bond.
Motley is expected to be in court on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. for a preliminary hearing.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
-
Atlanta, GA1 week ago1 teenage girl killed, another injured in shooting at Piedmont Park, police say
-
Georgia7 days agoGeorgia House Special Runoff Election 2026 Live Results
-
Arkansas4 days agoArkansas TV meteorologist Melinda Mayo retires after nearly four decades on air
-
Pennsylvania1 week agoParents charged after toddler injured by wolf at Pennsylvania zoo
-
Milwaukee, WI1 week agoPotawatomi Casino Hotel evacuated after fire breaks out in rooftop HVAC system
-
Austin, TX6 days agoABC Kite Fest Returns to Austin for Annual Celebration – Austin Today
-
World1 week agoZelenskyy warns US-Iran war could divert critical aid from Ukraine
-
World1 week agoIndonesia receives bodies of peacekeepers killed in southern Lebanon




