Video 'clear' of officer shooting boy

Protesters gather to show support for victim's family and call for justice

A police officer was less than 3 meters away when he fatally shot a 12-year-old boy carrying a pellet gun near a playground, and video of the shooting is clear about what happened, the police said on Monday.

The boy was confronted on Saturday by officers responding to an emergency call about a male who appeared to be pulling a gun in and out of his trousers.

The caller said the gun was "probably fake", then added, "I don't know if it's real or not". Deputy Chief Edward Tomba said on Monday that he didn't know whether a dispatcher shared that information with responding officers.

The president of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association has said the officers were not told that the gun might be fake.

Tamir Rice, who died on Sunday, had an "airsoft" gun designed to look like a real firearm. Airsoft guns fire spherical plastic pellets and have orange tips to show they aren't real firearms, but police said the one the boy had didn't have the bright safety indicator.

Authorities said the boy was told to raise his hands and was shot when he pulled the pellet gun from his waistband, although he hadn't pointed it at police or made verbal threats.

"Our officers at times are required to make critical decisions in a split second," Chief Calvin Williams said. "Unfortunately, this is one of those times."

Tomba said surveillance video of the shooting is "very clear" about what occurred, but he wouldn't discuss details of what it shows.

Representatives of the boy's family viewed the video on Monday, but police didn't release it publicly because it is considered evidence and because they want to be sensitive to the family, the community and the officer, who is distraught, officials said.

The shooting has led to an investigation of the officer's use of force. It also contributed to a state lawmaker's plan to propose legislation requiring all BB guns, air rifles and airsoft guns sold in Ohio to be brightly colored or have prominent fluorescent strips.

Once the investigation is complete, the case will be presented to a grand jury to decide whether any criminal charges should be brought, County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty said.

Administrative leave

The two officers involved in the shooting were put on administrative leave under standard procedure. Police haven't publicly identified them.

At least 100 people gathered near a recreation center at the playground on Monday night to show support for the boy's family. Some demonstrators carried signs that read "Danger Police in Area" and "Police Terror: This Stops Today". They chanted, "Justice for Tamir."

"We will not accept any excuse why this young man was shot down unjustly," said Art McKoy, a Cleveland community activist at the demonstration.

The Associated Press left a message for the attorney, Timothy Kucharski, on Monday. He said previously that Tamir went to the park with friends on Saturday afternoon, but he didn't know the details of what led to the shooting and wanted to get more facts and talk to witnesses.

(China Daily 11/26/2014 page12)