Horrifying Video Release Of The Killing Of 12- Year- Old Tamir Rice

The Cleveland Police Department just released video footage of the fatal shooting of 12 year old Tamir Rice.

To summarize, Rice can be seen walking around alone throughout all of the video. He has his toy gun in his hands and points it sometimes, but most of the time it is tucked away or just being held in his hands. Tamir looks mostly like a child just hanging at the park, seemingly playing with a new toy.

 

photo courtesy of bcdownload.gannett.edgesuite.net
photo courtesy of bcdownload.gannett.edgesuite.net

 

The person who called initially mentioned that Tamir was “probably a child” and that the gun could be fake. However, police said that this was not told to the cops who arrived on the scene. And boy did they arrive!

At the press conference that just happened, it was said that the cops on the scene gave Tamir three commands to show his hands. However, in the video, the police run up on him and start firing within 1.5 seconds of getting out the car.

1.5 seconds.

That’s the time it took to take a child’s life. Sure, the media and racists have wanted to make teens like Trayvon Martin, Jordan Davis and Michael Brown into full blown grown men. Here though, you cannot do this with a 12 year old like Tamir Rice.

Tamir was not even pointing the gun at the cops or at all when they pulled up. And if they gave three commands, I do not know when because this all happened so fast. I cannot imagine how frightened this boy must have been. Let’s remember. This was a FAKE gun. It could not have opened fire on anyone because it wasn’t a real pistol, revolver, etc. In Tamir’s mind, he probably didn’t understand the commotion because he KNEW it was fake.

There definitely could have been a different way to handle this situation. My goodness. To bum rush a kid and shoot him as soon as you exit your car. This video raises a lot of questions. I want to hear from the cops. Were they actually afraid? Could they see how young Tamir looked? Could they not have used any other methods?

All of this points to what we have been discussing. The menacing effect of black people, regardless of age, stature, circumstance. LET US BE REMINDED!!!

Many whites, children and adults, walk around with pistols and even guns like AR 15s strapped to them. Happily. Proud. And nothing happens. This poor boy couldn’t even have on his person a fake gun. This is real. This is happening. This is an outrage.

Watch video here:


Let us know your thoughts at the Liberal America Facebook page. Sign up for our free daily newsletter to receive more great stories like this one.

I was born on January 13, 1990. I was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. I moved up north and attended the University of CT from 2008 to 2012. I currently also work at a law firm in Uptown Charlotte and have been helping with this organization entitled the National Independent Voter Coalition. My interests include: Politics (obviously), Basketball (playing and watching) and watching almost any sport, movies, reading, the law, human rights, entertainment, mostly Angelina Jolie and Beyonce. I am fun, caring, passionate, intelligent, and unique!