Yahoo NewsCLEVELAND (AP) — A 12-year-old boy shot by police after grabbing what turned out to be a replica gun died from his wounds Sunday, a day after officers responded to a 911 call about someone waving a “probably fake” gun at a playground.
Deputy Chief Ed Tomba said one officer fired twice after the boy pulled the fake weapon — which was lacking the orange safety indicator usually found on the muzzle — from his waistband but had not pointed it at police. The boy did not make any verbal threats but grabbed the replica handgun after being told to raise his hands, Tomba said.
“That’s when the officer fired,” he said.
The Cuyahoga County medical examiner identified the boy as Tamir Rice. An attorney for his family, Timothy Kucharski, said the boy went to the park with friends Saturday afternoon, but he did not know the details of what led to the shooting.
“I don’t want to make a rush to judgment,” he said.
The police department is investigating the shooting and both officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure. The county prosecutor’s office also is investigating.
Kucharski said he wants to talk to witnesses himself and get more facts.
“We’re ultimately going to find out what happened,” Kucharski said.
Police said the weapon was an “airsoft” type replica that resembled a semi-automatic handgun. The orange safety indicator had been removed, police said.
A man who called 911 told dispatchers the boy was on a swing set and pointing a pistol that was “probably fake” and scaring everyone.
The caller said the boy was pulling the gun in and out of his pants.
“I don’t know if it’s real or not,” the caller said.
Jeff Follmer, president of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association, said the officers were not told the caller thought the gun might be fake.
The officer called to the playground outside a city recreation center saw the pistol sitting on a table or bench, and watched the boy grab it and put it in his waistband, Follmer said.
Cleveland police have been under increased scrutiny during the last few years. The U.S. Justice Department has been conducting an investigation of their pursuit and use of force practices.
Federal officials said in March 2013 that their investigation would go beyond a high-profile car chase that ended with officers firing 137 shots and two deaths.
Last week, it was announced that relatives of the two people killed in the 2012 chase will split a $3 million settlement from the city of Cleveland.
The families filed a lawsuit after 43-year-old Timothy Russell and 30-year-old Malissa Williams were killed by police after a 20-mile pursuit that involved 62 police cruisers and more than 100 officers. Six police officers involved in the chase were indicted by a Cuyahoga County grand jury.
The department changed its pursuit policy after the chase, limiting when and how long patrol cars can chase suspects.
Must be very proud of shooting a 12 year old. Hope you never forget his face….
So the red indicator was off so it was ok to shoot….B.S. So if you get a call, again… , only some person has installed a red tip of a play gun on a real gun……….
Un fu##ng believable. It’s hard to believe people don’t see what’s happening.
Were I live toy guns do not have orange noses on them. And the police do not shoot you or children for having them. A gun at the park. Yes I would think 1/2 the people at the park have guns here. Were is the problem with that? The American police shoot as many people in one day as they shoot here in 1 year. Most murders are by knife here. Family disputes. If you discount the rebels. 20 dead this last week there.
Where were all of these shootings of us kids back in the 60s and 70s when there were no “safety orange” tips on our toy guns? Oh yea, that’s right, back then cops actually had a brain in their heads
They are pushing for an us against them war.
But when a cop is shot, we’re supposed to rally for the cop and thousands of cops are dispatched to find the guy spending $11 million tax dollars (Eric Frein).
place of residence, make of car driven, where he hangs our, goes to church, eats out, buys groceries etc.
The only reason one these scumbags would go to church would be if they got a 911 call, Paul.
Hey #1 when I used to “go to church” there were a good number of fake churchers who attended. They were there for one purpose, and it wasn’t to “obey God”. It was to see, and be seen. That’s one of the reasons I call it churchianity.
Yeah, but football is on Sunday.
good point sir 😉
Also, haven’t watched the idiot box for quite a long time now. too busy learning the truth now days anyway, Never did like football either. 😉
That was one of the last things to go when I quit watching t.v.
ONLY sport I ever really liked to watch.
The boy was still alive when I posted the first article on this.
Freakin’ cockroaches got a helluva lot of payback owed.