Ohio officer kills robbery suspect, 13, who had BB gun, police say
(CNN)A police officer shot and killed a 13-year-old robbery suspect in Ohio's capital after the boy, who is black, pulled a BB gun out of his waistband, police said. City leaders said the shooting would be investigated thoroughly to determine whether charges are warranted.
The boy, Tyre King, died at a hospital after an officer shot him several times Wednesday evening outside a house in east-central Columbus, police said. Earlier, police said the boy's name was Tyree.
King, an eighth-grader who lived in the city, had a BB gun that "looks practically identical" to the type of handgun that Columbus police carry, police Chief Kim Jacobs said Thursday.
"This is the last thing that a police officer wants to do in their career. Unfortunately ... it becomes necessary at times to defend themselves," Jacobs told reporters at a news conference in Columbus.
Columbus police Chief Kim Jacobs holds up a picture of what she says is a BB gun like Tyree King's.
The man who shot King, Officer Bryan Mason, a nine-year veteran of the force, will be placed on leave for at least a week, pending an investigation, Jacobs said. Jacobs did not give Mason's race.
Attorneys who represent the teen's family released a statement saying what police described is "out of his normal character."
Lawyer Sean Walton said there are witnesses who do not corroborate what authorities say happened.
"There are allegations that have been made regarding his actions, and those allegations cannot be taken as factual until a thorough, unbiased investigation has taken place," he added.
Continued
(CNN)A police officer shot and killed a 13-year-old robbery suspect in Ohio's capital after the boy, who is black, pulled a BB gun out of his waistband, police said. City leaders said the shooting would be investigated thoroughly to determine whether charges are warranted.
The boy, Tyre King, died at a hospital after an officer shot him several times Wednesday evening outside a house in east-central Columbus, police said. Earlier, police said the boy's name was Tyree.
King, an eighth-grader who lived in the city, had a BB gun that "looks practically identical" to the type of handgun that Columbus police carry, police Chief Kim Jacobs said Thursday.
"This is the last thing that a police officer wants to do in their career. Unfortunately ... it becomes necessary at times to defend themselves," Jacobs told reporters at a news conference in Columbus.
Columbus police Chief Kim Jacobs holds up a picture of what she says is a BB gun like Tyree King's.
The man who shot King, Officer Bryan Mason, a nine-year veteran of the force, will be placed on leave for at least a week, pending an investigation, Jacobs said. Jacobs did not give Mason's race.
Attorneys who represent the teen's family released a statement saying what police described is "out of his normal character."
Lawyer Sean Walton said there are witnesses who do not corroborate what authorities say happened.
"There are allegations that have been made regarding his actions, and those allegations cannot be taken as factual until a thorough, unbiased investigation has taken place," he added.
Continued
