Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson is apologizing after the city suggested 12-year-old Tamir Rice, who was killed by officer Timothy Loehmann last November while brandishing a pellet gun, died as a result of his own actions. Jackson says Cleveland's response to a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of Rice's family was poorly worded and offensive.
The response in court documents filed late last week stated Rice's injuries and the subsequent complaints for damages were the result of his own actions and a failure "to exercise due care to avoid injury." Walter Madison, the attorney representing the Rice family, says the family was shocked and outraged by the documents.
Madison says it was impossible for Rice to have a chance to comply with Loehmann's order to drop the pellet gun in less than two seconds after the office and his partner arrived on the scene. Jackson says the city will refile an amended version of the documents within the next three weeks.
