COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Latest on a news conference held by families of two people fatally shot by Columbus police this year (all times local):
8:45 p.m.
The president of the Columbus, Ohio, city council says he’s confident the city’s police will conduct a thorough investigation of their recent fatal shootings of two black people.
The families of 13-year-old Tyre (ty-REE’) King and 23-year-old Henry Green have renewed their requests for independent investigations into the police actions. The black community has protested.
Democratic Council President Zach Klein says he understands the concerns raised by the community. He says in a statement emailed Tuesday if the U.S. Department of Justice “wishes to get involved in these investigations” the council would welcome its participation.
Police say Tyre was shot after he ran from an officer and pulled a BB gun that looked like a real firearm. They say Green was shot after he fired on two plainclothes officers.
A lawyer for their families says witnesses have contradicted police accounts.
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6 p.m.
A Columbus, Ohio, spokeswoman says Democratic Mayor Andrew Ginther has “great confidence” in the police department’s ability to thoroughly investigate the fatal police shooting of a 13-year-old boy.
Spokeswoman Robin Davis also said Tuesday if the U.S. Department of Justice chooses to get involved in the review the police department will cooperate.
Teenager Tyre (ty-REE’) King’s family has called for an independent investigation into his Sept. 14 death.
Police say Tyre ran from an officer investigating a reported armed robbery and pulled a BB gun that looked like a real firearm. But attorneys for his family say witnesses have contradicted authorities’ accounts.
Davis says city officials continue to ask Columbus residents to reserve judgment. She says “a thorough, objective accounting of the facts surrounding this tragic event” is what’s most important.
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4 p.m.
The families of two people fatally shot by Columbus police are renewing their calls for outside reviews of the cases.
The grandmother of 13-year-old Tyre (ty-REE’) King and the mother of 23-year-old Henry Green spoke at a news conference Tuesday. They described the emotional toll the shootings have had on them and their families.
Attorneys representing both families say there are discrepancies between authorities’ and witnesses’ accounts.
Tyre was shot Sept. 14 after police say he ran from an officer investigating a reported armed robbery and pulled a BB gun that looked like a real firearm.
Green was shot June 6 after officers said he ignored commands to drop his gun and fired on them.
The shootings are under investigation and will be presented for a grand jury to decide whether charges are merited.
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11:15 a.m.
Attorneys for two families whose relatives were fatally shot by Columbus police are renewing requests for independent investigations.
The families of 13-year-old Tyre (ty-REE’) King and 23-year-old Henry Green plan to hold a news conference Tuesday to address what they see as discrepancies between what authorities and witnesses have said.
Tyre was shot Sept. 14 after police say he ran from an officer investigating a reported armed robbery and pulled a BB gun that looked like a real firearm.
Green was shot June 6 after officers said he ignored commands to drop his gun and fired on them.
The families’ attorney, Sean Walton, says witnesses have contradicted police in both cases.
The shootings are under investigation and will be presented for a grand jury to decide whether charges are merited.
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