An Arizona burglary suspect shot to death by an officer Tuesday was a 14-year-old boy carrying a replica gun, police said.
Police said they were responding to reports of a person burglarizing a car and the teen ran away when he was approached by officers. He was holding what appeared to be a handgun, cops said, and officers said they “gave verbal commands” during the chase.
The suspect turned toward the officers during the chase and one officer reportedly perceived that movement as a threat and shot the suspect, police said. Officials attempted to perform “life-saving measures” on the boy, but he died at a hospital later, the Arizona Republic reported.
Authorities did not officially release the name or ethnicity of the 14-year-old who was shot or the police officer who fired the shots.
Officials said the shooting was captured on the officer’s body camera. The video was not immediately released.
Family members and others stand in front of the Tempe Police headquarters to hold a protest and vigil for a teen boy who was shot to death on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (AP)
In a statement Wednesday, police determined the weapon in the suspect’s hand was a replica 1911 model airsoft gun.
The name of the teen and the officer who opened fire haven’t been released. Two witnesses, identified as the boy’s brother and mother, told ABC15 Arizona they wanted police to explain what happened.
“If they want to tarnish my son, they are wrong,” Sandra Gonzalez, the teen’s mother said. “Apart from the fact that they killed him, they want to destroy him. No. I won’t allow it, I want justice.”
On Thursday, people gathered outside the Tempe Police headquarters to protest the shooting, FOX 10 reported.
The department said it will conduct its investigation in conjunction with the Maricopa County Attorney’s office, as is customary in officer-involved shootings.
