Last night in Columbus, Ohio, a police officer shot and killed 13-year-old Tyre King, because, police say, the boy "pulled a gun from his waistband"—a gun which officers later realized was just a BB gun.
According to a statement from the Columbus Police, officers were responding to an armed robbery. The victim told police that a group approached him, one armed with a gun, and demanded money. Officers saw three males fitting the descriptions and tried to talk to them, before two of the males ran off. Police followed the males into an alley and tried to take the suspects into custody when 13-year-old Tyre King pulled a weapon from his waistband. Then one officer, a nine-year veteran, fatally shot the boy multiple times.
King's gun, upon further inspection, "was determined to be a BB gun with an attached laser site."
It's unclear whether the 13-year-old or the other male with him were involved in the armed robbery.
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Police are still investigating, and have interviewed and released the other male with King, "pending further investigation." People who witnessed the robbery and the shooting were also interviewed by investigators. The police say that "additional suspects are being sought." Police also shared a replica of the BB gun King allegedly had.
FATAL POLICE-INVOLVED SHOOTING:This is a replica of the 13yo suspects gun used in last night's armed robbery. #CPD pic.twitter.com/vKjlwYCKuY
— Columbus Ohio Police (@ColumbusPolice) September 15, 2016