On Wednesday night (Sept. 14), police officers in Columbus, Ohio responded to a call that reported a case of an armed robbery, which involved multiple suspects, the Associated Press reports. A victim told the officers that when he was approached by a set of people, who allegedly ordered that he give them his money, the victim stated that one suspect had a gun.
Once officers spotted three males a block away from the scene, two began to run once they were approached by the police officials. According to the news site, the officers chased two of the individuals into an alley when they said one pulled out a gun. An officer drew his firearm and starting repeatedly shooting a male, identified as Tyree King. The 13-year-old was pronounced dead after arriving at a nearby children’s hospital. Officials have yet to clarify if King and the other unidentified individual were labeled as suspects.
OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING: Armed robbery suspect fatally shot after pulling gun while police tried to make arrest. pic.twitter.com/03oiR38B8f
— Columbus Ohio Police (@ColumbusPolice) September 15, 2016
Once an investigation ensued, authorities rendered that it was a BB gun that was in King’s possession. According to pellet gun regulations in the U.S., the state of Ohio doesn’t have any air gun laws prohibiting its usage, mainly since it’s a non-powder gun. The second individual who was with the adolescent at the time was questioned, but was released as the investigation continues.
At this time, other suspects are being pursued.