Boy, 13, Carrying Toy Gun Killed By Police

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Del

Ric Wee fan club member 2014
Police have shot dead a 13-year-old boy who was carrying a replica rifle, authorities have said.

The teenager was spotted walking with the toy gun by two Sonoma County Sheriff's deputies in Santa Rosa, California.

They called for backup and repeatedly ordered him to drop what appeared to be a rifle before firing several rounds, said Lieutenant Dennis O'Leary.

The boy, who has been identified as being called Andy Lopez, then fell to the ground on top of the replica weapon.

Deputies told him to move away from the object and when he did not comply they put handcuffs on him.

They then realised he was unresponsive and began giving him first aid, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr O'Leary said the deputies also found a plastic handgun in his waistband.

Rodrigo Lopez told the Press Democrat of Santa Rosa that the victim was his son and the toy gun belonged to a friend.

Andy Lopez is believed to live in the area where he was killed.

It was unclear whether the fake rifle was capable of firing ball bearings or other projectiles.

An investigation will be carried out by police from Santa Rosa and Petaluma and the district attorney’s office.

The deputies involved have reportedly been placed on administrative leave.
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Madness
 

Very trigger happy over in the States, I must say. Still, that news report doesn't provide us with anywhere near enough info to determine whether the boy was threatening or anything.
 

He should've dropped the gun but the police should have another gun with rubber bullets or something.

You can't take chances anymore.

Does anyone know if toy shops still sell toy guns or have they banned them?
Imagine seeing a 10 year old pointing a toy gun, people are gonna freak out aren't they?
 
MickM86 said:
He should've dropped the gun but the police should have another gun with rubber bullets or something.

You can't take chances anymore.

Does anyone know if toy shops still sell toy guns or have they banned them?
Imagine seeing a 10 year old pointing a toy gun, people are gonna freak out aren't they?
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Another one to add to the list of things you say then immediately contradict yourself.

Strange story this. Why didn't he drop it? But more to the point, why's a 13 year old carrying a toy gun round?
 

BlueLlama said:
So why didn't he drop the gun?
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He did, apparently, shortly after being fatally shot. Maybe we'll get more information soon, but it looks like very, very bad decision making on the part of the officers. Maybe the kid moved in an odd way or made a threatening motion, but until proven otherwise I'm putting this all on bad decision making by the officers.

And why was the kid carrying the gun? My kids (7, 4) walk around pointing sticks at stuff making gun motions and sounds all the time. That's what kids do. Maybe a 13 year old should know better, and maybe he had bad motives, but that all seems unlikely at the moment.
 

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