In Newark, New Jersey, a ten-year-old boy was mistaken for an adult armed robbery suspect.
Legend Preston was playing basketball in his yard when his ball rolled into the street. When he went to get it, police officers came up to him with guns drawn.
The child thought that the police were after him because he went into the street, so he fled.
Legend said:
“I ran because they thought that I rolled the ball into the street on purpose, and they were just holding shot guns at me trying to shoot me.”
The police officers said they had guns drawn, but they were not pointed at the boy. That is still scary for a child.
The boy’s mother posted a video of the child on Facebook:
From the Facebook post:
“My son is in counselling [sic] even scared to go play because it happened right at our house.. You despicable cops have no care for our childten [sic].. My fun loving child is forever changed!!!”
Their neighbor, Jackie Kelley, said:
“He’s only 10 years old, how you all chasing him? He’s only a kid. I’m like, that’s messed up.”
When asked why they chased the boy, the police said Legend fit the description of a robbery suspect they were looking for. The man they were looking for is 6 feet tall and has dreadlocks. Preston is neither of these things.
This picture is the suspect that the police were looking for alongside Legend:
I mean look: these 2 people do not look alike. #legendpreston pic.twitter.com/8WCVYqU7lA
— Andrew Duncalfe (@mrDuncalfe) August 24, 2016
The hashtag #LegendPreston is making its rounds on Twitter:
Heart breaking. The only good from this story is the neighbors acting heroically to protect this child. #LegendPreston
— Mo Sayed (@MoSayed2) August 24, 2016
“Black male” is not an adequate description. #legendpreston https://t.co/OJRVm4AVDa
— Andrew Duncalfe (@mrDuncalfe) August 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/lenorafendora/status/768352582632742912
Wicked behaviour by cops,& ANYONE thinking #LegendPreston is a 'thug' then so's your mama 4 bringing your dumbass into this world!
— Yusef The Traveller (@IAmTraveller12) August 24, 2016
According to the neighbors account:
“The fifth grader was standing outside his home when cops chasing an armed robbery suspect broke off their pursuit and instead chased Legend into an alley behind his house, according to the family’s account.”
“Neighbors and friends formed a human shield around Legend to protect him from the police, according to Preston.”
Hopefully, the police will learn their lesson from this horrible incident.
Here is a news clip about the incident:
https://youtu.be/FwYOvpqaNeE
Featured image via YouTube screenshot.
