Andy Lopez, teen killed carrying toy rifle, "respected" police, father says

(CBS News) An investigation continues Wednesday morning outside of Santa Rosa, Calif., after a 13-year-old was shot and killedby a sheriff's deputy. He was carrying a toy rifle that resembled an AK-47.

The boy's parents, Rodrigo and Sujey Lopez, said they can't believe their 13-year-old son, Andy, is gone. They said he was walking in his neighborhood Tuesday afternoon, returning the toy rifle to a friend, when two sheriff's deputies tried to detain him.

"A witness in the area reported that he heard the deputy shout two times, 'Put the gun down, put the gun down,'" said Lt. Paul Henry of the Santa Rosa Police Department.

Andy's father told CBS News' Carter Evans that Andy always "respected" cops and he doesn't know why he would not have listened.

A sheriff's spokesperson says the boy ignored the directive to drop the gun.

"As the subject was turning toward him, the barrel of the assault rifle was rising up and turning in his direction," Henry said.

One of the officers shot multiple rounds, at least one of which hit Andy.

"The deputies approached the subject, handcuffed him and immediately began life-saving measures," Henry said.

Andy died at the scene, and the deputies involved have been put on administrative leave.

At a press conference, law enforcement officers displayed the confiscated toy rifle, compared with an actual AK-47. One witness saw the boy walking with the fake gun before he was shot.

"I couldn't tell that he was 13 years old," said Ronald Armstrong. "He did not appear to be 13 years old. It looked like a weapon."

Friends say Andy was liked at school, where he played in the band. They set up a makeshift memorial expressing disbelief that such a tragic mistake could happen.

"He was a really good friend of mine ... now he's gone," said Elijah Garcia.

Andy's father told The (Santa Rosa) Press Democrat that he remembers his last words to his son.

"I told him what I tell him every day," he said. "Behave yourself."