Award
Family of 15-Year-Old Shot by Police on Thanksgiving Shares Bodycam Footage
2024-12-08
On Thanksgiving night in Ohio, a tragic incident unfolded when a 15-year-old boy named Jazmir Tucker was fatally shot by police. The family of Jazmir Tucker has now come forward after the release of bodycam footage, sharing their heart-wrenching stories and emotions.

Unraveling the Tragedy of a Teenager's Fatal Shooting by Police

Initial Moments and Family's Grief

Ashley Greene, Jazmir's mother, expressed her devastation. "I'm just really devastated," she said. "Jazmir was a great kid, very humorous. I just don't know what to say." Another family member, Miss Cotton, described Jazmir as "always laughing." She added, "Everybody loved Jaz and Jaz loved everyone else." The family's love for Jazmir is palpable as they share these memories.They also mentioned that Jazmir loved to do yard work. The loss of such a young life has left the family in a state of shock and grief.

Police Encounter and Shooting Circumstances

According to the Akron Police Department and various news outlets, Tucker was armed with a loaded gun when he was shot. Police heard gunshots just after 11 p.m. local time and initiated an investigation. When they encountered Tucker, they ran after him, and one officer fired their weapon. The footage shows the officer firing a rifle at the teenager.After the shooting, officers continued to give verbal commands to Tucker, including "put your hands up." It was later revealed that the officer fired because they saw the teen "reaching with his right hand." Tucker was then handcuffed and searched, and a gun with an extended clip was found in the pocket of his jacket.

Aftermath and Investigations

Several days after the incident, the Akron Police Department released bodycam footage. This footage provided a detailed account of what happened. Additional officers arrived at the scene and provided first aid to Tucker about seven minutes after he was shot before EMS arrived.Akron Mayor Shammas Malik released a statement expressing his "serious questions" after watching the video. He questioned why the officer did not "activate their body cameras upon exiting their vehicle" and why rifles were used instead of handguns.Police Chief Brian Harding also shared his "condolences" with the family and friends of Jazmir Tucker. He emphasized that such incidents are tragic for everyone involved and that an independent investigation is underway.This incident has raised many questions and concerns, and the community is waiting for more answers.
More Stories
see more