Body camera footage shows Akron officer shoot teen who pointed fake gun at him

On Monday, April 1, 2024, at approximately 7:04 p.m., the communications center received a call from a citizen who reported seeing a 15-year-old boy in the area of Newton St. and Tonawanda Ave. with a gun. According to the caller, the male was pointing the gun at houses. At approximately 7:11 p.m. a responding officer located the subject matching the caller's description, walking on Brittain Rd. and Ottawa. The officer stopped his marked police car to investigate. As the officer began to exit his patrol car, he quickly issued a verbal command for the male to show his hands.

Seconds later, the officer discharged his firearm one time, striking the male in the hand, after observing the subject with what appeared to be a gun in his hand. Immediately following the shooting, officers secured the crime scene and rendered emergency first aid, which included applying a tourniquet to the male's arm. The subject was later transported to an area hospital and underwent treatment for a non life threatening injury. The officer is a 9-year veteran of the department and is on paid administrative leave.