video shows the boy, 12, pointing what turned out to be a fake gun in different directions before police arrive and shoot him.
Tamir Rice died on 23 November, a day after he was shot by police responding to 911 calls about someone with a gun at a Cleveland playground.
Surveillance cameras from a nearby recreation centre captured footage of Tamir walking around the park and brandishing what turned out to be an airsoft gun that fired plastic pellets.
The footage shows a police cruiser pulling up next to Tamir, and within seconds of the officers exiting the vehicle one of them opens fire on the boy.
Cleveland Police Deputy Chief Ed Tomba said the officers ordered the boy to put his hands up three times.
Play video "Fatal Cleveland Shooting 911 Call"
Video: Fatal Cleveland Shooting 911 Call
Tamir pulled up his shirt with one hand and reached for his waistband with the other before the officer fired, the deputy chief said.
"Shots fired. Male down. Black male, maybe 20," an officer can be heard saying over police dispatch.
Tamir's family urged police and prosecutors to"thoroughly examine" what happened.
"It is our belief that this situation could have been avoided and that Tamir should still be here with us," a statement by the family said.
"The video shows one thing distinctly: the police officers reacted quickly."
The footage was released at the request of the boy's parents.
Comments
Post a Comment