Virginia Officer Killed 15-Year-Old Boy Wielding Crowbar
Prince William County VA Sept 17 2017 A police officer shot and killed a 15-year-old boy in front of his home in Haymarket, Virginia, on Friday after he threatened officers with a crowbar, Prince William County police said.
The officer fired multiple shots, killing the teen after receiving a report that he “had a bomb strapped to his chest” and was holding a family member hostage, police said.
Officers responded to the house on the 6800 block of Hartzell Hill Lane about 10:25 a.m. to investigate a possible hostage situation.
As they arrived on the scene, they learned that the teen had what was described as a bomb, and that the person he was holding hostage was a family member.
Outside the house, the teen — whose name police did not release — “brandished a crowbar and began walking toward the officers in a threatening manner,” police said.
The officers ordered him to drop the crowbar, but he refused.
Then, an officer opened fire, shooting the teen in the upper body about 10:45 a.m.
Officers provided first aid until medics arrived. The teen was pronounced dead at the scene.
No officers were hurt.
Police determined that the teen did not have a bomb. No details were released immediately on who told them that he did.
Neighbors said the teen went to Battlefield High School in Haymarket. Nasir Gorham said he went to school with him.
“He kept to himself a lot. He was pretty quiet. I would see him at the pool a lot, with some friends,” Gorham said. “I would never think something like this would happen.”
The officer who fired is on administrative leave, per standard police procedure.
Police body cameras are not in use in Prince William County, but a pilot program to put them onto streets is underway.
NBC Washington
