12-Year-Old Boy Armed With Replica Pistol Is Fatally Shot By Police
- 10 years ago
A 12-year-old boy who was reportedly brandishing a replica pistol was recently killed during a police shooting. The child has since been identified as Tamir E. Rice.
A 12-year-old boy in Ohio was recently killed during a police shooting. The child has since been identified as Tamir E. Rice.
He was shot on Saturday after being witnessed outside a Cleveland recreation center waving an airsoft-like replica.
According to a 911 caller, the boy had pulled the gun out of his pants and was pointing at it people. The man claimed the child was scaring everyone, but told the dispatcher the weapon was likely fake and that the male was probably a juvenile.
Police, however, weren’t informed about the boy's age and authenticity of the weapon. They were dispatched to the center regarding reports of a ‘male with a gun’.
Two officers arrived on scene and watched as Tamir tucked the gun into his waistband. The cop ordered him to raise his hands but the boy reportedly lifted his shirt and reached for the firearm-resembling toy.
The officer fired twice and one of the rounds hit Tamir in the abdomen. The boy was rushed to the hospital and underwent surgery, but he later died from his injuries.
The Cleveland Division of Police Use of Deadly Force Investigation Team has launched a probe into the incident. Both officers who responded to the playground will be placed on administrative leave until the investigation concludes.
A 12-year-old boy in Ohio was recently killed during a police shooting. The child has since been identified as Tamir E. Rice.
He was shot on Saturday after being witnessed outside a Cleveland recreation center waving an airsoft-like replica.
According to a 911 caller, the boy had pulled the gun out of his pants and was pointing at it people. The man claimed the child was scaring everyone, but told the dispatcher the weapon was likely fake and that the male was probably a juvenile.
Police, however, weren’t informed about the boy's age and authenticity of the weapon. They were dispatched to the center regarding reports of a ‘male with a gun’.
Two officers arrived on scene and watched as Tamir tucked the gun into his waistband. The cop ordered him to raise his hands but the boy reportedly lifted his shirt and reached for the firearm-resembling toy.
The officer fired twice and one of the rounds hit Tamir in the abdomen. The boy was rushed to the hospital and underwent surgery, but he later died from his injuries.
The Cleveland Division of Police Use of Deadly Force Investigation Team has launched a probe into the incident. Both officers who responded to the playground will be placed on administrative leave until the investigation concludes.