New York: A rookie police officer shot and killed a 14-year-old boy on a street early on Sunday after he refused to drop his gun and pointed it in the direction of officers, authorities said.
Shaaliver Douse died of a single gunshot to his jaw after the confrontation in the Bronx.
Two officers with the New York Police Department were on foot patrol when they heard gunfire at about 3 am local time. The officers responded to the scene and found the boy with a 9mm handgun firing shots at a fleeing man, authorities said.
Police released two surveillance videos Sunday evening that show a man they've identified as Douse, wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, fire at a group of men standing outside a bodega and then chasing after one of them. Police said Douse fired four shots in all.
The officers identified themselves as police and ordered him to drop his weapon, authorities said.
"The officers ordered Douse to drop the gun but instead he fired another round," NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly said at a news conference. "It is undetermined at this time whether he fired at the officers or a fourth time at the unknown male who had just run past the officers."
When he pointed his gun in the direction of officers, one of the officers shot him, police said. Douse was pronounced dead at the scene.
The two officers had joined the department in January.
Douse's aunt, Quwana Barcene, told the New York Post the boy was an only child.
"It's not fair. It was my sister's only child. You shouldn't have to bury your child," she said.
Douse had been in trouble with the law before.
He was charged in May with attempted murder after a 15-year-old boy was shot in a Bronx neighborhood where Douse lived. That shooting took place two miles from where Douse was later shot to death.
Douse was also charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon and menacing in connection to the incident.
The prosecution of Douse was then deferred, said Steven Reed, a spokesman for the Bronx District Attorney's Office. The office had insufficient evidence to proceed, and the victim was unable to identify his shooter, he said.
The case was still open, Reed said.
Shaaliver Douse died of a single gunshot to his jaw after the confrontation in the Bronx.
Two officers with the New York Police Department were on foot patrol when they heard gunfire at about 3 am local time. The officers responded to the scene and found the boy with a 9mm handgun firing shots at a fleeing man, authorities said.
The officers identified themselves as police and ordered him to drop his weapon, authorities said.
Advertisement
When he pointed his gun in the direction of officers, one of the officers shot him, police said. Douse was pronounced dead at the scene.
Advertisement
Douse's aunt, Quwana Barcene, told the New York Post the boy was an only child.
Advertisement
Douse had been in trouble with the law before.
Advertisement
Douse was also charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon and menacing in connection to the incident.
Advertisement
The case was still open, Reed said.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Sikh Cop In New York Barred From Growing Beard, India Raises Issue New York Police Unveil 'Digidog', High-Tech Robotic Police Dog To Fight Crime New York Shelter's Adoption Post For A 'Jerk Dog' Goes Viral Kolkata Rape-Murder: Fractures, 150 mg Semen, Other Claims Denied By Cops Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah To Be Prosecuted In Land Scam Case CBI Team At Kolkata Hospital For Digital Mapping Of Crime Scene US Teen Robs Convenience Store, Then Kills Man Of Indian Origin On CCTV, Stray Dog Goes On Biting Spree In UP, 17 People Attacked In 1 Hour NIRF 2024: Check States With Maximum Top Colleges In The Overall Category Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.