Settlement Reached Following Killing of Roger Heard Jr.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — There’s a new development in the lawsuit following the police killing of Roger Heard Jr.

The announcement was made at the Chattanooga City council meeting Thursday.

Chattanooga City Attorney Phil Noblett said, “We have settled case in the United States district court involving Tiana perry et al. vs officer Batterson and the City. It’s city action number 124CV00269 and that case has been resolved following mediation for $180,000.”

Attorney McCracken Poston, one of the attorneys representing the family of Roger Heard told us, “This all came from a mediation and only needed to be approved by the city council, so we kind of knew it was coming. This is a great example of why mediation is good.”

This comes after the shooting death of Roger Heard Jr. back in August of 2023.

Chattanooga police were reportedly acting on an arrest warrant from Knoxville.

A plain clothes officer approached Heard’s Car, gun drawn. Heard produced a weapon of his own and hit the officer, later identified as Celtain Batterson in the arm. Heard was then shot 14 times, even as he lay on the ground, which attorneys say was excessive. Heard’s killing sparked protests and outrage.

Attorney McCracken Poston told us, “Perhaps it will serve as a way not to do things in future trainings, and I hope it will help these children move on with their lives.”

Officer Batterson’s certification was later revoked following an unrelated incident in 2024.