Although the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the police shooting of a 12-year-old Ohio boy a homicide, they are refusing to release additional information regarding Tamir Rice’s death.
Tamir, if you recall, was shot Saturday by a rookie Cleveland police officer for holding a fake gun in a playground. The individual who called 911 to report the incident told the dispatcher that the gun was “probably fake.”
Police say the boy reached for his gun. It was confirmed Monday that the 12-year-old did not point the fake gun at police as previously suggested. The officer shot twice, wounding Tamir. The child was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to his wounds on Sunday.
According to Cleveland.com:
Reached for comment Monday, Medical Examiner’s Office spokesman Chris Harris told a reporter that he would check to see if he could release the information.
Northeast Ohio Media Group reporters made numerous follow-up calls and email requests which were not returned.
The medical examiner Monday ruled Tamir’s death a homicide and said his death was caused by a gunshot wound to the torso with injuries to major vessels, intestines and the pelvis.
Information about decedents has been more difficult for the media to obtain since the county switched from an elected coroner to an appointed medical examiner.
We’ll keep you updated with the latest in Tamir’s case.
SOURCE: Cleveland | PHOTO CREDIT: Handout
