COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Tyree King, 13, was fatally shot by a Columbus, Ohio, police officer on Wednesday following reports of an armed robbery. It was later revealed his gun was a laser-attached BB gun.
The Columbus Division of Police said incident occurred at about 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday when police were called to respond to a report of an armed robbery committed by a group of people, including one armed with a gun.
Police said when officers arrived, they saw three men matching the description given by the victim. The officers "attempted to speak with them, when two of the males fled on foot."
"Officers followed the males to the alley in the rear ... and attempted to take them into custody when one suspect pulled a gun from his waistband," the Columbus Division of Police said in a statement. "One officer shot and struck the suspect multiple times. The male was taken to Nationwide Children's Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead at approximately 8:22 pm. The officers and other suspect were not injured ... The suspect has been identified as thirteen year old Tyree King."
Police said that crime scene detectives processed the shooting scene and "collected what appeared to be a handgun."
"Upon further inspection, it was determined to be a BB gun with an attached laser site," police said.
The second suspect was interviewed and released pending further investigation. Police said they are seeking additional suspects in the robbery
The officers involved in the shooting will receive mandatory psychological support counseling, as is the case in all shootings involving Columbus police.
"Officers are also afforded an opportunity to take leave time to assist in recovery from a traumatic experience," the Columbus Division of Police added. "This incident will be investigated by the Critical Incident Response Team."
Chris Naderer, who lives near where the shooting took place, said he saw what he believed was people running from police.
"We heard some people running through our backyard and kind of a loud boom where our gate is busted ... We assume that they busted the gate down," Naderer told NBC4i, adding that he looked outside the window upon hearing the commotion. "Heard gunshots 5, 10 seconds afterwards."
The officer who shot Tyree is a nine-year police veteran who recently transferred to the district where the shooting occurred.
