CLEVELAND (AP) – Cleveland’s mayor is apologizing after the city suggested in court documents that a 12-year-old boy who had a pellet gun when he was shot by police died as a result of his own actions.
Mayor Frank Jackson says Cleveland’s response to a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of Tamir Rice’s family was poorly worded and offensive.
Jackson said Monday that he’s talked with representatives of Tamir’s family and that the city will modify its wording.
The court documents filed late last week stated Tamir’s injuries and the subsequent complaints for damages were the result of his own actions and a failure “to exercise due care to avoid injury.”
An officer responding to a call about someone with a firearm shot and killed the boy on Nov. 22.
