Timothy Loehmann, the former Cleveland police officer who shot and killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice has withdrawn his application from a small Ohio police department. Rice’s mother, Samira confirmed the news.
“As of this afternoon, Timothy Loehmann has withdrawn his application in Bellaire,” Rice said during a press conference Wednesday. (Oct. 10) “Hopefully, he will not be hired as a police officer by any other state.”
Loehmann’s potential appointment made headlines, with many wondering how was he eligible for a job in law enforcement. Bellaire’s police chief Richard Flanagan said because Loehmann was never charged with Tamir’s death, he deserved a second chance.
In November 2014, Tamir was seen playing with a pellet gun inside a gazebo at a Cleveland recreation center. Footage from the fatal incident shows Loehmann exiting the car before it came to a full stop and shooting Tamir and killing him. Tamir’s death was one of many deaths of young black men at the hands of white police officers. Demonstrators took to the streets demanding justice. However, a grand jury failed to bring charges against Loehmann.
Prior to Loehmann’s withdraw, Rice’s family attorney Subodh Chandra said news of Loehman’s new appointment was upsetting but at least he’d would no longer be in Cleveland.
READ MORE: Officer Who Killed Tamir Rice Hired At Small Ohio Police Department