Police Fatally Shoot 14-Year-Old Boy In Boyle Heights
BOYLE HEIGHTS (CBSLA.com) — A 14-year-old boy has been fatally shot by police in Boyle Heights, the coroner's office announced Wednesday.
The officer-involved shooting occurred just before 6 p.m. Tuesday near the intersection of North Breed Street and East Cesar Chavez Avenue.
According to police, officers responded to the area for report of vandalism.
A witness saw the suspect fire a handgun in the direction of two officers while fleeing from the area.
Officers returned fire, killing the teenager, who was later identified by family members as Jessie Romero.
The teen's mother says she doesn't believe her son had a gun.
"That's a lie," Theresa Dominguez said through an interpreter. "They're just saying that so they can cover themselves, but that's not the truth."
Neither of the officers sustained injuries during the shooting.
The LAPD said the officers were wearing body cameras, and the video will be used in the investigation.
Detectives recovered a loaded weapon at the scene.
The incident remains under investigation.