A police officer has shot and killed a 12-year-old boy after he waved and pointed a toy gun at a Cleveland city recreation centre.
The boy, identified as Tamir Rice, was shot in the abdomen by a city officer at a playground on the city’s west side and later died of his injuries on Sunday.
According to the recording of a 911 call, a witness at the recreation park told the police dispatcher that he saw somebody with a pistol and he was pointing it at people.
He added that the gun was “probably fake” but was scaring people.
Officers responded and advised the boy to raise his hands, according to a police statement.
“The suspect did not comply with the officers’ orders and reached to his waistband for the toy gun. Shots were fired and the suspect was struck in the torso.”
After a preliminary investigation, authorities said that the gun the boy had was an airsoft-type replica gun resembling a semi-automatic pistol.
Airsoft weapons are realistic looking guns used in play combat, and they shoot plastic pellets. Most are made with bright orange tips so that they won’t be confused with real guns. Police said that the orange safety indicator was removed from the toy gun the boy was holding.
The two officers involved in the incident were placed on administrative leave.