Family and supporters of Tamir Rice, the 12-year-old that was killed by a police officer for carrying a pellet gun were shocked by the city's claims that Rice caused his own death last year.
According to Cleveland, Rice's family hit the city with a lawsuit following the child's death. On Nov. 22, Rice was killed by a police officer who responded to a 911 call that claimed a child was walking around a recreational park with a gun. The officers shot and killed the child less than two seconds after arriving on the scene. In the lawsuit the family lists Officers Frank Garmback, Timothy Loehmann and over 100 911 operators who violated the family's rights. In response to the suit, the city says Rice's actions "were directly and proximately caused by their own acts, not this Defendant." They also added that Rice didn't avoid the injury correctly. A detailed reply wasn't released due to the ongoing investigations against Loehmann, the officer who shot Rice.
The suit also called out Loehmann's previous claims of assault and excessive force against other pedestrians. The city has denied knowledge about the officer's previous encounters. Walter Madison, an attorney for the Rice family says their adamant about getting Loehmann and several other officers removed from the force.
"I do believe that a 12-year-old child died unnecessarily at the hands of Cleveland police officers," he said. "I do believe that certain officers shouldn't have been entitled to wear the uniform."
Source: Cleveland | Photo Credit: FacebookÂ
