Family of boy shot by Cleveland officer files wrongful death suit

The family of a 12-year-old black boy shot by a Cleveland police officer filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city and two policemen, The Associated Press reports.

Surveillance video shows Tamir Rice reached into his waistband for an airsoft gun when a patrol car stopped near him at a park. Within two seconds, officer Tim Loehmann reportedly mistook the toy gun for a real one and fatally shot Rice.

"Young boys playing with replica guns are commonplace in America and police are expected to approach them safely if an investigation is warranted, not shoot them dead within two seconds," the lawsuit reads.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Earlier this week, a Justice Department civil rights review found Cleveland police officers routinely engage in "unreasonable and unnecessary use of force."