Two Experts Determine That Shooting Of Tamir Rice Was Justified

[Revmitchell]

The rookie Cleveland police officer who fatally shot a 12-year-old boy last year acted with justified force, two outside experts have determined.

Tamir Rice was wielding an air pistol at an outdoor recreation center on Nov. 22 when he was shot by Timothy Loehmann, an officer-in-training. Loehmann and his partner, Frank Garmback, were responding to 911 calls of a man pointing a gun at people in the area.

Video released shortly after the incident shows that Garmback drove his police cruiser to within feet of Rice. Loehmann is seen jumping out of the vehicle and firing two shots almost immediately. The bullets struck Rice in the stomach. He died the next day.

The case has generated national outrage, especially given Rice’s age. It also occurred amid widespread protest over police-involved killings of black men. Rice was black. Both Loehmann and Garmback are white.


A Cuyahoga County grand jury is currently considering whether to charge the two officers.

In one of the independent reports, released Saturday by the Cuyahoga prosecutor’s office, S. Lamar Sims, the senior chief deputy district attorney in Denver, determined in his report that Loehmann’s response was “objectively reasonable.”

“The officers did not create the violent situation — they were responding to a situation fraught with the potential for violence to citizens,” Sims wrote.

He also states that neither Rice’s age nor the fact that he was wielding a pellet gun should be considered a factor in determining if the shooting was justified.

“The statements of the witnesses compel the conclusion a reasonable officer responding to the call would have believed Rice was an older teen or young adult,” Sims wrote, noting that Rice was 5’7″ and 195 pounds.

http://dailycaller.com/2015/10/11/two-experts-determine-that-shooting-of-tamir-rice-was-justified/

 

[Amy13]

I feel like this was a tragedy all around. Tamir Rice was only playing and didn't understand the consequences of his actions. The police officers, they had no way to know the weapon he was holding wasn't a real one. Tamir lost his life and the lives of the officers who shot him will never be the same. Even though the shooting may have been found justified, that isn't going to ease their conscience one bit.

 

[poncho]

It isn't over yet. A grand jury hasn't heard or seen the evidence.

The independent reports did not address two other controversial aspects of the case.

Neither officer rendered aid to Rice after he was shot. An FBI agent who happened to be in the area at the time of the shooting provided medical aid to Rice several minutes after the shooting. Loehmann and Garmback were reportedly in a state of shock and unsure what to do.

Loehmann also had a spotty job history. In Nov. 2012, the chief of the Independence, Ohio police department gave Loehmann a “dismal” handgun performance rating. Loehmann also “could not follow simple directions,” according to the chief, Jim Polak. Loehmann quit the force shortly after.

I'm no expert but it seems to me an expert would take these "aspects" into consideration. Again I'm no expert but it seems like an expert would take this "aspect" into consideration also . . .

Witnesses who called 911 to report Rice’s actions stated they believed that Rice was carrying a fake gun.

"He could not follow simple directions, could not communicate clear thoughts nor recollections, and his handgun performance was dismal," according to the letter written by Deputy Chief Jim Polak of the Independence police.

The letter recommended that the department part ways with Loehmann, who went on to become a police officer with the Cleveland Division of Police.

"I do not believe time, nor training, will be able to change or correct the deficiencies," Polak said.

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2014/12/cleveland_police_officer_who_s.html

Where I come from we call people who can't follow simple directions incompetent. What are people like that called where you come from Rev?

 

[Sue-Ellen]

It is a sad and tragic situation all the way around. A young man lost his life in a situation that could have been avoided. The officer who shot him that day have to live with this the rest of their lives and the family of Tamir Rice have to go on in life without their son. It was very sad. There are so many unanswered questions I'm this case. Things that we will never know.