Ohio police release body camera video of officer shooting 15-year-old boy who family says had toy gun

[Della]

"Police in Akron, Ohio, released video of an officer shooting a 15-year-old boy who was holding what his family says was a toy gun, video that shows the teenager was struck seconds after the officer ordered him to put his hands up last week.

Tavion Koonce-Williams was shot in the wrist on April 1 in Akron by Officer Ryan Westlake, a nine-year department veteran, who was responding to a call about a person pointing a gun at houses. Akron police said the gun Tavion had been carrying was a “facsimile.”

On Monday, the city of Akron released Westlake’s file, revealing a history of disciplinary actions and use-of-force incidents, as the police department released the video of the interaction “in an effort to be as transparent as possible.”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/ohio-police- ... 02279.html

[jessilin0113]

On Monday, the city of Akron released Westlake’s file, revealing a history of disciplinary actions and use-of-force incidents, as the police department released the video of the interaction “in an effort to be as transparent as possible.”

What a surprise someone like that is still on the force.

[jessilin0113]

The files show that in May 2021, he was suspended for 71 days because of multiple incidents that year, including using profanity, using an anti-gay slur and brandishing his firearm toward his girlfriend while intoxicated, as well as off-duty “extremely intoxicated” incidents in Ohio and Florida in which he exhibited behaviors and actions “that discredited the police department.”

Oh more surprises.

[cgd5112]

This is no surprise re keeping officers in despite a record of excessive force, anger issues, domestic violence, etc. Mental health is a serious issue among LEOs.

That said, why the hell are kids still pulling the toy gun shit in this day and age? Especially a teen, ffs. And no, I don't believe a teen has a right to run around with a toy gun and pretending to be on some prowl.

It may be a good idea for toy manufacturers to make toy guns ( mold to make them look real) only in neon colors and flashy lights. This way officers can see in a moment of stress that the child is not actually armed and dangerous.

[WellPreserved]

"The video then shows still images with a circle around what appears to be the toy or facsimile gun in Tavion’s hand at the start of the clip. Another still shows the gun on the grass near the patrol vehicle and Tavion several feet away with his hands raised."

So the kid dropped the toy gun and raised his hands and still got shot?

[Della]

"The video then shows still images with a circle around what appears to be the toy or facsimile gun in Tavion’s hand at the start of the clip. Another still shows the gun on the grass near the patrol vehicle and Tavion several feet away with his hands raised."

So the kid dropped the toy gun and raised his hands and still got shot?

That's what it seems like to me.

[WellPreserved]

"The video then shows still images with a circle around what appears to be the toy or facsimile gun in Tavion’s hand at the start of the clip. Another still shows the gun on the grass near the patrol vehicle and Tavion several feet away with his hands raised."

So the kid dropped the toy gun and raised his hands and still got shot?

That's what it seems like to me.

Even if the kid were an adult and the gun were real, police shouldn't be going around shooting unarmed people who have their hands in the air. Sheesh.

[Della]

This is no surprise re keeping officers in despite a record of excessive force, anger issues, domestic violence, etc. Mental health is a serious issue among LEOs.

That said, why the hell are kids still pulling the toy gun shit in this day and age? Especially a teen, ffs. And no, I don't believe a teen has a right to run around with a toy gun and pretending to be on some prowl.

It may be a good idea for toy manufacturers to make toy guns ( mold to make them look real) only in neon colors and flashy lights. This way officers can see in a moment of stress that the child is not actually armed and dangerous.

Some seventeen year old walked down the street carrying an AR-15 and the police basically ignored him. I wonder why.

[Della]

"The video then shows still images with a circle around what appears to be the toy or facsimile gun in Tavion’s hand at the start of the clip. Another still shows the gun on the grass near the patrol vehicle and Tavion several feet away with his hands raised."

So the kid dropped the toy gun and raised his hands and still got shot?

That's what it seems like to me.

Even if the kid were an adult and the gun were real, police shouldn't be going around shooting unarmed people who have their hands in the air. Sheesh.

There certainly shouldn't be mere seconds between interaction and a fatal reaction.

[cgd5112]

Well, there's that.

This is no surprise re keeping officers in despite a record of excessive force, anger issues, domestic violence, etc. Mental health is a serious issue among LEOs.

That said, why the hell are kids still pulling the toy gun shit in this day and age? Especially a teen, ffs. And no, I don't believe a teen has a right to run around with a toy gun and pretending to be on some prowl.

It may be a good idea for toy manufacturers to make toy guns ( mold to make them look real) only in neon colors and flashy lights. This way officers can see in a moment of stress that the child is not actually armed and dangerous.

Some seventeen year old walked down the street carrying an AR-15 and the police basically ignored him. I wonder why.