Melbourne coppers kill 15 y boy
rix dorf | 12.12.2008 12:00
Australian police kill Tyler Cassidy of Melbourne Thursday night. Several officers fired at him, hitting him in the chest. He died at the scene.
Police in the southern Australian city of Melbourne fatally shot a 15-year-old boy in a skate park after officers said he threatened them with knives.
The written statement released by Tyler Cassidy's family this afternoon
The entire family and friends of Tyler Cassidy are appalled at the actions by the Victoria Police last night. Their heavy-handedness, and lack of negotiating skills at the scene of the shooting, contributed to the untimely death of our beautiful 15 year old. He was in the prime of his life, had just started a new school, and was coping really well. He was a popular student with high expectations and a good network of friends.
The Northcote police were notified 30 minutes prior to the killing and briefed completely on what had happened including what he was wearing and to look out for Tyler.
The four officers concerned acted unacceptably by killing Tyler last night. He had a very gentle side, striving to grow from a boy into a young man and would have been completely overwhelmed by the situation.
The police according to our witnesses chased him, cornered him at the skate park in Northcote, he was surrounded and gunned down by four officers firing at least six or seven shots.
Our eyewitness confirmed that Tyler patted her dog, was confronted by the police and sprayed with capsicum foam, then pursued to the skate park, surrounded and hunted down.
We look forward to a serious and thorough investigation and inquest into why Tyler was killed and to the serious nature of the attending officers' actions.
It should have been dealt with differently and more compassionately, but tragically resulted in Tyler's death that should have been avoided.
"I promise you my darling, I will fight for you as you were taken from me under the most horrific circumstances.
"Why was he slayed to death when it was so unnecessary. Four officers were not capable of managing the situation.
"Now you have passed over I will speak for you and others like you," Shani, Tyler's mother
This is a released statement on behalf of his loving family and friends. He died alone without his family at his side, gasping his last breath, he was only a scared little boy... Rest in Peace.
12/12/2008
The written statement released by Tyler Cassidy's family this afternoon
The entire family and friends of Tyler Cassidy are appalled at the actions by the Victoria Police last night. Their heavy-handedness, and lack of negotiating skills at the scene of the shooting, contributed to the untimely death of our beautiful 15 year old. He was in the prime of his life, had just started a new school, and was coping really well. He was a popular student with high expectations and a good network of friends.
The Northcote police were notified 30 minutes prior to the killing and briefed completely on what had happened including what he was wearing and to look out for Tyler.
The four officers concerned acted unacceptably by killing Tyler last night. He had a very gentle side, striving to grow from a boy into a young man and would have been completely overwhelmed by the situation.
The police according to our witnesses chased him, cornered him at the skate park in Northcote, he was surrounded and gunned down by four officers firing at least six or seven shots.
Our eyewitness confirmed that Tyler patted her dog, was confronted by the police and sprayed with capsicum foam, then pursued to the skate park, surrounded and hunted down.
We look forward to a serious and thorough investigation and inquest into why Tyler was killed and to the serious nature of the attending officers' actions.
It should have been dealt with differently and more compassionately, but tragically resulted in Tyler's death that should have been avoided.
"I promise you my darling, I will fight for you as you were taken from me under the most horrific circumstances.
"Why was he slayed to death when it was so unnecessary. Four officers were not capable of managing the situation.
"Now you have passed over I will speak for you and others like you," Shani, Tyler's mother
This is a released statement on behalf of his loving family and friends. He died alone without his family at his side, gasping his last breath, he was only a scared little boy... Rest in Peace.
12/12/2008
rix dorf
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