Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Article Response #13 - Tamir Rice: US police kill boy, 12, carrying replica gun
BBC News has reported grim news that a 12-year-old little boy has now died after a standoff with police in Cleveland, Ohio. The 12-year-old, Tamir Rice, was carrying a replica toy gun in a playground when police approached him after receiving a 911 call from someone concern for their own safety in regards to Rice's weapon. The 911 caller, who has remained anonymous, stated during the call that he was unsure if the gun was real or a toy. 
According to police reports, the police approached Rice and immediately ordered him to raise his hands. Rice did not comply, although "did not make any verbal nor point the gun towards the officers.." 
The incident has directly preceded the grand jury decision in Ferguson, Missouri, where it was decided that the police officer in the fatal shooting death of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, would not be indicted. This decision has sparked violent protests in the town, prompting a heavy police presence and crackdown.
Tamir Rice was shot on Saturday afternoon and died in hospital early on Sunday morning. Allegedly, officers shot the young boy after he pulled the toy gun from his trousers. The decreased child's family has hired a lawyer and they are doing their own independent investigation into what happened. The Cleveland police force has come under increased scrutiny in recent years.
       I believe this is the breaking point in an increasingly violent society where police have an unchecked power against civilians. 

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