In Cleveland, Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old African American boy, was shot November 22, 2014 by Cleveland police officer Timothy Loehmann after he and fellow officer Frank Garmback responded to a police dispatch call describing a "young black male" pointing a gun at people in a city park. Although the caller said twice that "the gun was probably fake" and that the guy was "probably a juvenile."
Arriving on the scene, the officers reported that Rice reached for his waistband. Video shows that Loehmann fired two shots within two seconds at Rice. Later, it was discovered his gun turned out to be a toy air pistol. Rice died the day after the shooting.
Tamir Rice’s shooting death received national coverage in the wake of the recent police shooting of Michael Brown in Missouri and the choking death of Eric Garner in New York. The shooting also received staunch criticism from community members who accused police of unnecessary violence.
Related media stories and editorials:
» “Cleveland police officer shot Tamir Rice immediately after leaving moving patrol car” – Cleveland.com
» “9-1-1 caller says gun held by Cleveland 12-year-old shot by police was “probably fake
»“Police procedure experts question tactics of officers involved in Tamir Rice” – Cleveland.com
» “Tamir Rice: police release video of 12-year-old's fatal shooting” – The Guardian
» "Protestors block streets around Public Square" – Cleveland.com
» “Cleveland cop who shot 12-year-old slammed for 'immaturity' in past job” – CNN
» “Tamir Rice shooting tragedy” – Cleveland.com editorial
» "City of Cleveland responds to Tamir Rice lawsuit by saying boy's death was caused because of his own actions"
