Source: NBC News
TEMPE, Ariz. — A suburban Phoenix police chief on Friday called it “tragic” that an officer shot and killed a 14-year-old burglary suspect ahead of her department releasing video that showed the officer opening fire as the boy ran away.
Tempe Police Chief Sylvia Moir said she called a news conference to be transparent and asked the public to withhold judgment until an investigation is complete.
“I must begin with expressing my condolences to the young man’s family. The loss of his life is tragic,” Moir said. “I am very sorry for their loss.”
Police say the boy, identified by his family as Antonio Arce, was carrying a replica handgun when he was shot Tuesday by an officer identified only as Officer Jaen. In interviews and a vigil this week, family members called for justice.
Jan. 19, 201900:34
The chief said Jaen has been an officer for 17 years — 14 of them with Tempe. He was placed on administrative leave. Jaen had completed one combat tour in Iraq for the Army National Guard.
Video from the officer’s body-worn camera shows Jaen arriving in a car and parking in an alley at a reported burglary. He sees the suspect in a gray pickup truck facing his squad car and crouches behind a big, black plastic trash barrel.
“Hey,” Jaen says and raises his handgun as the suspect gets out of the passenger side of the truck and starts running down the alley lined with wooden fence, chain link and concrete block.
“Let me see your…
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