13 year old boy shot dead by US police for holding fake gun

A 13-year-old boy carrying a fake gun was shot dead by police who believed the rifle to be a real AK-47 in the US state of California yesterday. 

The two officers on patrol ordered Andy Lopez to drop his weapon after seeing him carrying what appeared to be a replica of a black AK-47 with a black magazine cartridge and brown butt in Santa Rosa, northern California.

After the boy refused to drop his arms, the deputies called for backup before they opened fired with their handguns. However, it is not clear whether the boy pointed the toy gun at the officers or made any threatening gesture.

Andy was pronounced dead at the scene and was later identified by his father, Rodrigo Lopez, who said his son was taking a toy rifle to a friend’s house and also carried a fake plastic pistol in his waistband.

Mr Lopez said he last saw Andy before leaving for work on Tuesday and said: “I told him what I tell him everyday. Behave yourself.”

The case is now being investigated and Police Lieutenant Dennis O’Leary said the two deputies have been placed on administrative leave until inquiries are completed.

Yesterday’s shooting is expected to raise a fresh debate on gun laws in the US following a series of deadly shootings. The incident comes a day after a 12-year-old boy in Nevada shot his maths teacher at his school and wounded two fellow pupils before taking his own life.

Aastha Gill