Boy, 12, with replica gun shot dead by US police
Dispatchers were told weapon was 'probably fake', but officers were not informed
A 12-year-old boy has died after being shot by police in Cleveland, after pulling a replica gun from his waistband.
Officers were responding to an emergency call on Saturday about someone waving a "probably fake" gun at a playground. The boy died on Sunday.
Deputy Chief Ed Tomba said one officer fired twice after the boy pulled the fake weapon — which was lacking the orange safety indicator usually found on the muzzle - from his pants but had not pointed it at police.
The boy did not make any verbal threats but grabbed the replica handgun after being told to raise his hands, Tomba said.
"That's when the officer fired," he said.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner identified the boy as Tamir Rice. A lawyer for his family, Timothy Kucharski, said the boy went to the park with friends on Saturday afternoon.
The police department is investigating the shooting and both officers involved have been placed on administrative leave. The county prosecutor's office also is investigating.