Mom of boy shot by police joins protest
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WASHINGTON – The mother of a 12-year-old Cleveland boy fatally shot by police last month told throngs of protesters at a Saturday rally that she wants to believe the massive demonstration can bring justice.
Samaria Rice joined the Rev. Al Sharpton and other family members of unarmed black males killed by police to give her remarks.
Rice’s son, Tamir, was holding an airsoft gun that shoots nonlethal plastic pellets when he was shot in the abdomen Nov. 22 by a Cleveland officer.
“My son was 12 years old, just a baby,” Rice said Saturday. “A baby, my baby – the youngest out of four. And he is here with me right now, and this is what he would want me to do.”
A 911 caller reported someone was pointing a pistol that was “probably fake,” and it might be just a child.
A police union official said a dispatcher didn’t share those facts with officers.
Surveillance video shows Tamir being shot within 2 seconds of the patrol car stopping near him.
Five busloads attended Saturday’s rally from Cleveland.