13-Year-Old Boy Carrying Toy Gun Killed By Police

Sheriff’s deputies have shot dead a 13-year-old
boy who was carrying what turned out to be
a replica rifle.
Two Sonoma County deputies on patrol saw the
boy walking with what appeared to be a high-
powered weapon on Tuesday in Santa Rosa in
northern California, said sheriff’s Lieutenant
Dennis O’Leary.
They called for backup and repeatedly ordered
him to drop the rifle, which resembled an AK-47
with a black magazine and brown butt, according
to a photograph released by the sheriff’s office.
Deputies only found out after the shooting that it
was not a real firearm, Lt O’Leary said.
Rodrigo Lopez identified the boy as his son, Andy
Lopez, to a newspaper and said the teenager had
been carrying a toy gun that belonged to a friend.
It was not clear whether the boy pointed the
replica assault rifle at the deputies or made any
type of threatening gesture.
Lt O’Leary said the deputies fired several rounds
from their handguns immediately after issuing the
orders to drop the rifle.
A neighbour in the area, Brian Zastrow, told the
Santa Rosa Press Democrat newspaper that he
heard seven shots.
“First, I heard a single siren and within seconds I
heard seven shots go off, sounded like a nail gun,
is what I thought it was,” he said.
Lt O’Leary said the boy fell to the ground on top of
the rifle and deputies ordered him to move away
before approaching him and putting him in
handcuffs.
They then began administering first aid and called
for paramedics, who pronounced the boy dead at
the scene.
Deputies also found a plastic handgun in the boy’s
waistband, Lt O’Leary said.
The deputies, who have not been identified, have
been placed on administrative leave, which is
standard after a shooting.
Community members left candles, teddy bears
and flowers at the edge of the field where the teen
was shot and questioned deputies’ decision to
open fire.
“I’m sure you can tell he’s a 13-year-old boy,”
Abrey Martin told KGO-TV. “He’s not some
maniac.”
The Press Democrat quoted the boy’s mother,
Sujey Annel Cruz Cazarez, as saying, “Why did
they kill him? Why?”