VIDEO: Cleveland Blames Boy for Own Death, Then Apologizes
During his news conference on Monday, Mayor Frank Jackson of Cleveland apologized for the language in the city's response to the civil lawsuit filed by the family of 12-year-old Tamir Rice. Jackson called the document's phrasing inappropriate and insensitive to Rice and his family, reports WJW.
On Nov. 22, a 911 caller reported a male with a gun at the Cudell Recreation Center. After Cleveland police arrived, one officer shot Rice, who died the next day. Police later learned the weapon was an airsoft.
In court documents, the city said Rice failed to exercise due care.
"This is not the character or personality of the city of Cleveland," Jackson said, "to be that insensitive to the family or even the victim."
In December, Rice's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit, accusing the officers of excessive force, assault and battery.
