Jury Awards $24M To Paralyzed Boy In LAPD Shooting

A jury has awarded $24 million to a boy who was paralyzed in a shooting with a Los Angeles Police Department officer who mistook his airsoft gun for a firearm, reports the Los Angeles Times .

The case stemmed from the December 2010 shooting in the Glassell Park neighborhood patrolled by LAPD's Northeast Division. While looking for gang activity, Officer Victor Abarca and his partner came upon 13-year-old Rohayent Gomez and his two friends shortly after 8 p.m.

Officer Abarca said he ordered Gomez, who was playing cops and robbers, to come out from behind a car. The officer eventually shot Gomez, saying he didn't see the pistol's orange tip that identified it as a toy that fires rubber pellets.

The boy was hit in the chest and left paralyzed.

Last year, Officer Abarca was cleared by the Police Commission.