12-Year-Old With Pellet Gun Shot Dead By Police

CLEVELAND(Reuters) - A 12-year-oldboywho was shot by police after he brandished a pellet gun at aClevelandrecreation center died on Sunday from his injuries, officials said.Theboywas identified asTamir E. Rice, 12, ofClevelandby the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner.Rice was shot in the abdomen by a city officer at a playground on the city's west side on Saturday, saidTimothy Kucharski, an attorney for theboy's family.According to the recording of a 911 call, a witness at theCudell Recreation Centerpark told the police dispatcher that he saw somebody with a pistol and he was pointing it at people.The caller told the dispatcher that the gun was "probably fake." But he said that it was scaring people.Officers responded and advised theboyto raise his hands, according to a police statement."The suspect did not comply with the officers' orders and reached to his waistband for the gun. Shots were fired and the suspect was struck in the torso," the statement said.After a preliminary investigation, authorities said the gun Rice had was an airsoft-type replica gun resembling a semi-automatic pistol.Airsoft weapons are realistic-looking guns used in play combat, and they usually shoot plastic pellets. Most are made with bright orange tips so that they aren't confused with real guns. Police said the orange safety indicator was removed from the replica gun Rice was holding.Theboywas taken toMetroHealth Hospitalwhere he underwent surgery Saturday and remained in critical condition until his death early Sunday, Kucharski said. The death was confirmed by hospital spokesmanJonah Rosenblum.The two officers involved in the incident were placed on administrative leave. One of them was treated atFairview Hospitalfor an ankle injury.The shooting followed another incident that shook the city. On Friday,Clevelandpolicesaid four people, including a 41-year-old pregnant woman, were shot and killed at a home on the city's east side. A 9-year-old girl was shot in the chest and was treated and released from a local hospital.(Editing by Fiona Ortiz, Frances Kerry and Eric Walsh)SEE ALSO:The 2016 Republican Convention Will Be In Dallas Or ClevelandJoin the conversation about this story
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