CLEVELAND - The police shooting of a 12-year-old boy
carrying a toy gun in Cleveland is under investigation as the community
questions what might have prevented a child's death.
Tamir Rice was shot Saturday after Cleveland
police responded to a call reporting "a guy with a pistol" at Cudell
Recreation Center.
"There's a guy with a pistol, and he's
pointing it at everybody," the caller is heard saying in an audio release.
"It's probably fake, but you know what, it's scaring the [expletive] out
of everyone."
Officers said they told Tamir to put up his
hands, but he instead reached for the gun -- described as an Airsoft,
resembling a semi-automatic pistol with the orange safety tip removed -- in his
waistband. A rookie officer fired two shots, hitting Tamir in the abdomen.
The boy did not make any verbal threats
toward police, nor did he point the gun at them.
He died Sunday
at MetroHealth Medical Center.
Jeff Follmer, president of the Cleveland
Police Patrolman's Association, said it was unclear whether dispatchers told
responding officers that the gun was likely a toy.
"Besides, we have to assume every gun is
real," Follmer said.
"When we don't, that's they day we don't go home."
For Gregory Henderson, Tamir's father, the
official story is not nearly enough.
"Why not Tase him?" Henderson
asked, calling his son a "respectful" young man who would
have followed police orders. "You shot him twice, not once, and at the end
of the day, you all don't shoot for the legs, you shoot for the upper
body."
Follmer said officers are trained to shoot
for the body if they feel their lives to be in danger.
Timothy Kucharski, an attorney for Tamir's
family, said he would conduct an investigation "parallel" to the one
being led by police.
"If in fact we determine Tamir's rights
are violated, we will proceed with civil action against the police," Kurcharski told the BBC.
The incident has raised questions as to
whether race was a factor in the shooting, as several officer-involved
shootings in recent months have brought police use of force into the national
spotlight. In Missouri, the Ferguson community is bracing for a decision on
whether to indict the white police officer who shot African-American teen
Michael Brown on Aug. 8.
Saturday's shooting prompted calls for
Cleveland police to begin wearing body cameras. Unlike the Ferguson shooting,
however, surveillance cameras captured Saturday's incident. The video has not
yet been released.
Meanwhile, state Rep. Alice Reece of
Cincinnati announced legislation to require all BB guns, air rifles and Airsoft
guns sold in the state to be brightly colored or marked with florescent strips
to avoid confusion.
Two officers have been placed on
administrative leave while the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office investigates
the shooting. The evidence will eventually be handed to a grand jury.
ninest123 07.15
ReplyDeleteburberry factory outlet, replica watches, ray ban sunglasses, louboutin shoes, kate spade outlet, nike air max, burberry outlet, ralph lauren outlet, oakley sunglasses, tory burch outlet, longchamp outlet, cheap jordans, prada outlet, longchamp bags, nike outlet, ralph lauren polo, michael kors outlet store, coach outlet, chanel handbags, nike free, longchamp outlet, kate spade, michael kors, michael kors outlet online, tiffany jewelry, christian louboutin, coach outlet, coach outlet store online, ray ban sunglasses, prada handbags, michael kors handbags, louboutin uk, oakley sunglasses, oakley sunglasses, gucci handbags, nike air max, christian louboutin, michael kors outlet online, tiffany jewelry, michael kors outlet
true religion outlet, polo ralph lauren uk, new balance, true religion outlet, vans pas cher, north face uk, nike tn pas cher, true religion outlet, abercrombie and fitch, timberland pas cher, polo lacoste pas cher, lunette oakley pas cher, coach purses, vanessa bruno pas cher, jordan pas cher, louboutin pas cher, burberry pas cher, mulberry uk, lululemon outlet, hogan sito ufficiale, ray ban uk, longchamp pas cher, michael kors uk, nike free pas cher, longchamp soldes, converse, nike roshe run pas cher, hollister uk, nike air max, nike air max pas cher, nike air force, north face pas cher, michael kors, lunette ray ban pas cher, sac guess pas cher, hermes pas cher, ralph lauren pas cher, true religion jeans, michael kors outlet online, nike blazer pas cher
ReplyDeletelululemon outlet, wedding dresses, beats by dre, babyliss pro, longchamp uk, hermes handbags, north face outlet, herve leger, north face outlet, chi flat iron, reebok outlet, nfl jerseys, nike free, instyler ionic styler, celine handbags, nike air max uk, abercrombie and fitch UK, insanity workout, mont blanc, nike air max uk, mcm handbags, p90x workout, bottega veneta, ghd hair, abercrombie and fitch, valentino shoes, mac cosmetics, nike air huarache, soccer jerseys, nike roshe run, abercrombie, soccer shoes, nike trainers uk, jimmy choo outlet, nike roshe uk, giuseppe zanotti, vans outlet, new balance shoes, asics running shoes, salvatore ferragamo
ReplyDelete