Boy, 14, killed by L.A. police may have fired on officers: police

[Gerald]

Witnesses saw a 14-year-old boy, suspected of spraying gang graffiti, fire at officers before he was shot to death, a Los Angeles Police Department official said on Wednesday.

Deputy Chief Robert Arcos told reporters a loaded handgun was recovered from the scene where Jesse James Romero, 14, was gunned down by an LAPD officer during a foot pursuit at about 6 p.m. on Tuesday (0100 GMT Wednesday). Arcos displayed a photo of the gun.

"The tragedy of this event cannot be overstated," Arcos told a press conference, adding it underscored the need for youth programs. Coroner's officials said an autopsy has been scheduled for Romero, who would have turned 15 on Aug. 24.

Police departments nationwide are under increased scrutiny over fatal shootings, especially of young men, which have re-ignited a debate over the use of lethal force by officers and the role of racial bias in the U.S. criminal justice system.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-po...idUSKCN10L1VJ#

This is hard, wondering what went wrong.




note: Wed Aug 10, 2016 2:45pm EDT