US News: Footage from Police Bodycam Captures Officer Shooting 15-Year-Old Boy Holding Toy Gun

April 10, 2024 TruthUSA

Newly released police bodycam footage depicts the moment an officer shot a teenage boy who was holding a fake gun.

Officer Ryan Westlake responded to reports of a person pointing a firearm at houses in Akron, Ohio, on 1 April shortly after 7pm.

He encountered the person, later identified as 15-year-old Tavion Koonce-Williams, and without fully exiting his patrol car, Westlake fired a single shot that hit the teenager.

Amid demands for accountability for the incident, the bodycam footage has now been released.

The footage shows Westlake pulling up near Tavion and questioning the teenager: “Can I see your hands real quick?”

Within moments, he aims his gun at Tavion and can be heard exclaiming “Oh shit!” as he shoots.

“Shots fired,” he announces as Tavion repeatedly insists that his own supposed weapon is fake.

As he does this, Westlake continues to approach with his gun aimed at the teen as he raises his hands and gets down on the floor.

Blood is visible on Tavion’s right wrist as he places his hands behind his back and is handcuffed.

“My hand hurts. Mister, I wanted to be safe,” he states. Another officer then intervenes to apply a tourniquet.

Initially reported as a non-life-threatening injury, he was taken to the hospital.

Westlake was placed on paid administrative leave as per department protocols.

In a statement on Tuesday, Westlake’s union, the Fraternal Order of Police, Akron Lodge 7, stated: “The officer acted in accordance with policy and procedure and his training.

“After making a split-second decision to use deadly force, he and other officers immediately began administering medical aid to the suspect.”

According to Sky News’ US partner NBC News, Westlake could not be reached for comment.

A lawyer representing Tavion’s family clarified that he had a toy gun and stated “at no point was that toy gun pointed at anyone’s home, at any individual, and certainly not any member of the Akron Police Department,” as reported by NBC News.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is conducting an independent inquiry into the incident, and once concluded, the Akron police department will conduct a separate investigation.

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