Tamir Rice: Family Wants Video Of Fatal Police Shooting Released To The Public

Tamir Rice’s family wants the police video of the fatal shooting released. The parents of the 12-year-old Cleveland boy claim that surveillance camera captured the shooting at a public park this past weekend. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Tamir Rice was waving a realistic-looking toy gun at the park and concerned citizens called the police to investigate.

The Tamir Rice shooting was reportedly in almost its entirety. So far, Cleveland police have refused multiple public records requests for a copy of Cudell Recreation Center’s fatal shooting video.

Earlier today attorneys for Tamir Rice’s parents sent a letter to Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and the Cleveland Division of Police, asking for the release of the video. A “rookie” police officer shot the 12-year-old boy twice after the Rice reportedly attempted to pull the realistic-looking toy gun from his waistband. The Cleveland police officer reportedly told the youth to freeze and put his hands in the air, but Rice did not comply.

The video of the Rice shooting has not been released by police officials because the footage is part of an ongoing investigation. “The division of police is providing the family of Tamir Rice to view the video before it will be made public,” Cleveland Police representative Sergeant Ali Pillow said.

Excerpt from the letter sent by Tamir Rice’s parents to city officials.

“We respectfully request that Mayor Frank Jackson and the City of Cleveland Division of Police release the complete video of the incident involving our son, Tamir E. Rice, and two unnamed patrol officers. The news of Tamir’s death has devastated our family. Tamir was a bright young man who had his whole life ahead of him. This is a tragedy in our eyes. We feel he did not deserve to be taken away from us.”

Neither the names nor the race of the two police officers involved with the Tamir Rice shooting have been released to the public. “He was a loving brother. He was a grandson. He was a nephew and cousin. His favorite sport was basketball. Tamir often visited the Cudell Recreation Center to play with friends. Most of all, he enjoyed being around people. Everyone loved him. The holiday season begins this week. Instead of the love, fellowship and joy the season brings to many families, we will be mourning the loss of Tamir,” the letter goes on to state. “We feel the actions of the patrol officer who took our son’s life must be made public. Though the hurt our family feels is too painful for words to describe, we still have faith in the justice system.”

What do you think about the Tamir Rice shooting?

[Images via Cleveland Plain Dealer]