Columbus police have shot a 13-year-old boy during a chase when he allegedly reached for a BB gun. According to NBC, officers were responding to a call of an armed robbery where the victim was robbed of $10. When police arrived on the scene and saw three young boys matching the suspects’ description, two of them fled, including Tyre King. 

“Officers followed the males to the alley … and attempted to take them into custody when one suspect pulled a gun from his waistband,” police said. “One officer shot and struck the suspect multiple times.”

King was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. No one else was injured and the other boy who fled with King was released.

“This is the last thing that a police officer wants to do in their career. Unfortunately … it becomes necessary at times to defend themselves,” said Chief Kim Jacobs.

Witnesses of the incident have already come out with stories that conflict what police said.

“There are allegations that have been made regarding his actions, and those allegations cannot be taken as factual until a thorough, unbiased investigation has taken place,” said Sean Walton, according to CNN.

The shooting will go under investigation and Columbus authorities claim that they’ll do everything in their power to determine whether or not the shooting was justified. Meanwhile, King’s friends and family will be mourning the loss of a young boy who should still be with us.

 

Photo: Tyre King/ King Family