Ohio boy shot by police dies

CLEVELAND — A 12-year-old boy shot by police after grabbing what turned out to be a replica gun died from his wounds Sunday, a day after officers responded to a 911 call about someone waving a “probably fake” gun at a playground.

One officer fired twice after the boy pulled the fake weapon — which was lacking the orange safety indicator usually found on the muzzle — from his waistband but had not pointed it at police. The boy did not make verbal threats but grabbed the replica handgun after being told to raise his hands, police said. That’s when the officer fired.

Police said the weapon was an “airsoft” type replica that resembled a semi-automatic handgun.

A man called 911 saying the boy was on a swing set, pointing a pistol that was “probably fake” and scaring everyone. The caller said the boy was pulling the gun in and out of his pants.

The president of Cleveland’s Police Patrolmen’s Association said the officers were not told the caller thought the gun might be fake.