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Tyree King, a 13-year-old Columbus, Ohio boy, was shot and killed after police responded to an armed robbery call near the city’s east side Wednesday (Sept. 15) evening. King reportedly pulled out a BB gun when police approached him, and one officer fired several shots at the boy before knowing that the firearm was fake.

WDTN reports:

According to police, the victim told them a group of individuals approached him. One had a gun and demanded money.

Officers in the area saw three men matching the description in front of 33 Hoffman Street and tried to talk to them. Two of the men then ran away and officers followed them to an alley behind 27 Hoffman Street.

When officers tried to take the men into custody, one of the suspects pulled out a gun. One of the officers fired and hit the suspect multiple times. He was taken to Children’s hospital and pronounced dead around 8:30 pm.

The victim has been identified as 13-year-old Tyree King.

Crime Scene Search Unit detectives collected the gun and determined it was a BB gun with an attached laser site.

The unnamed officer who fired the shots has worked for the Columbus Police Department for nine years and was a recent transfer to the area where the shooting took place.

On Twitter, King’s death has become a busy trending topic with many stating that the situation involving the gun should not have led to the teen’s death. Some users even cited when white people who have made similar gestures with fake guns have walked away with their lives.  Also, there were obvious tie-ins with the tragic Tamir Rice case although the details of this incident are still under heavy investigation.

To join the conversation, please follow this link.

Photo: Screen Cap