By 3 News online staff
Cleveland police have released security camera footage showing the moment 12-year-old Tamir Rice was fatally shot by a policeman on Saturday.
The video was released at the request of Tamir's family, who urged a measured response from the public.
"We feel the actions of the patrol officer who took our son's life must be made public," they said. "It is our prayer and request for citizens in the City of Cleveland and throughout Northeast Ohio to remain calm at this time. We ask for the public to demonstrate peacefully."
In the video, taken from a nearby building, Tamir is seen walking around a park carrying a gun, occasionally raising and pointing it.
His actions prompted an observer to call 911. The caller told the operator he wasn't sure if the gun was real, but this message was not passed on to the officers who responded.
Police say Tamir was told to raise his hands three times before he reached into the waistband of his pants for what appeared to be a firearm. It was later determined to be an airsoft gun, which shoots soft plastic pellets, but was missing the bright orange safety indicator normally found on such guns.
Twenty-six-year-old Timothy Loehman has been identified as the officer who shot Tamir. Loehman was accompanied on patrol by 46-year-old Frank Garmback. Both officers are on paid leave.
Tamir's parents said he will be remembered as a bright young man and a loving brother.
"Most of all, he enjoyed being around people. Everyone loved him. The holiday season begins this week. Instead of the love, fellowship and joy the season brings to many families, we will be mourning the loss of Tamir."
When releasing the video, Cleveland's deputy police chief Edward Tomba said: "This is not an effort to exonerate, it's not an effort to show the public that anybody did anything wrong. This is an obvious tragic event where a young member of our community lost their life. We've got two officers who were out there protecting the public that just had to do something that nobody wants to do."
Despite the tragedy, Tamir's family says they still have faith in the justice system.
An investigation has been launched into the officers' use of force.
3 Newssource: newshub archive
