This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-44633978
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Antwon Rose: Pittsburgh officer charged with criminal homicide | Antwon Rose: Pittsburgh officer charged with criminal homicide |
(35 minutes later) | |
An officer who fatally shot an unarmed black teenager in the US state of Pennsylvania has been charged with criminal homicide, court records show. | An officer who fatally shot an unarmed black teenager in the US state of Pennsylvania has been charged with criminal homicide, court records show. |
Michael Rosfeld, 30, shot 17-year-old Antwon Rose as he tried to flee police on 19 June - just 90 minutes after the officer had been sworn in for duty. | Michael Rosfeld, 30, shot 17-year-old Antwon Rose as he tried to flee police on 19 June - just 90 minutes after the officer had been sworn in for duty. |
Mr Rosfeld turned himself in on Wednesday and was booked in Allegheny County jail. | Mr Rosfeld turned himself in on Wednesday and was booked in Allegheny County jail. |
His bail was set at $250,000 (£190,000) and he is due in court on 6 July. | His bail was set at $250,000 (£190,000) and he is due in court on 6 July. |
"You do not shoot somebody in the back if they are not a threat to you," District Attorney Stephen Zappala said during a news conference on Wednesday. | "You do not shoot somebody in the back if they are not a threat to you," District Attorney Stephen Zappala said during a news conference on Wednesday. |
Mr Zappala also told reporters that lawyers will be seeking first-degree murder charges. | Mr Zappala also told reporters that lawyers will be seeking first-degree murder charges. |
The death of Antwon Rose is one of many high-profile cases of unarmed black men dying at the hands of white US police officers - cases that have ignited protests and civil unrest across the country. | |
Most, however, do not result in any charges brought against the officer. | |
Mr Rosefeld's attorney told CBS News on Friday that the officer "feels bad about what happened" and said it was "his first time ever firing his weapon as a police officer". | Mr Rosefeld's attorney told CBS News on Friday that the officer "feels bad about what happened" and said it was "his first time ever firing his weapon as a police officer". |
During the 19 June incident, officers stopped Rose's car because it matched the description of one sought in connection with a nearby shooting, police said. Rose was a passenger in the vehicle at the time. | During the 19 June incident, officers stopped Rose's car because it matched the description of one sought in connection with a nearby shooting, police said. Rose was a passenger in the vehicle at the time. |
When the driver was stopped and ordered out of the car, Rose and a second unidentified passenger "bolted", leading to the response of the East Pittsburgh officer, police said. | When the driver was stopped and ordered out of the car, Rose and a second unidentified passenger "bolted", leading to the response of the East Pittsburgh officer, police said. |
As he ran away, Rose was shot several times in the arm, face and abdomen from behind, according to an affidavit. | As he ran away, Rose was shot several times in the arm, face and abdomen from behind, according to an affidavit. |
He later died in hospital from his injuries. | He later died in hospital from his injuries. |
A funeral for Rose was held on Monday. | A funeral for Rose was held on Monday. |
Officers found two handguns - later determined to be stolen - in the vehicle, according to police. | Officers found two handguns - later determined to be stolen - in the vehicle, according to police. |
Mr Zappala later said an empty gun clip was found in Rose's possession. | Mr Zappala later said an empty gun clip was found in Rose's possession. |
The officers involved in the incident were not wearing body cameras at the time, but a video filmed by a bystander went viral and led to days of protests in Pittsburgh. | The officers involved in the incident were not wearing body cameras at the time, but a video filmed by a bystander went viral and led to days of protests in Pittsburgh. |
According to the criminal complaint, Mr Rosfeld first said he "saw something dark that he perceived as a gun," but witnesses said Rose had nothing in his hands. | According to the criminal complaint, Mr Rosfeld first said he "saw something dark that he perceived as a gun," but witnesses said Rose had nothing in his hands. |
Mr Rosfeld later changed his story, according to the detectives' complaint, saying he did not see a gun. | Mr Rosfeld later changed his story, according to the detectives' complaint, saying he did not see a gun. |
Lee Merritt, a lawyer for Rose's family, said they were "cautiously optmistic" about the charge being filed, but added "criminal charges alone are going to be insufficient". | Lee Merritt, a lawyer for Rose's family, said they were "cautiously optmistic" about the charge being filed, but added "criminal charges alone are going to be insufficient". |
"We are in it for the long haul, to see this process through to conviction," he said. | "We are in it for the long haul, to see this process through to conviction," he said. |
Previous version
1
Next version