Tamir Rice shooting: Grand jury begins review of 12-year-old boy shot by police

With the one year anniversary of the child's death approaching, officials have finally begun questioning officers

Demonstrators gather in Cleveland to protest the shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice. (Tony Dejak/Associated Press)

A grand jury is currently reviewing evidence to decide if charges should be brought forth against a white police officer who shot and killed a young boy in Cleveland, Ohio.

Steve Loomis, president of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association, told the Associated Press that Cleveland police officers have been testifying in the fatal shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice.

The jury is to decide whether rookie officer Timothy Loehmann, who shot the young boy in two seconds, on November 22, 2014. There has been public outcry and conflicting evidence whether Officer Loehmann told Tamir to drop the toy pellet gun.

Officer Loehmann was fired from his previous position as he was ruled to be unfit to use a firearm and serve as an officer due to emotional instability.

Subodh Chandra, a spokesman for the Rice family, told WKYC that the family has recieved zero notice or response from Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty.

The shooting was prevalent among Black Lives Matter protests against excessive use of force amongst black Americans at the hands of white police officers.

The Cuyahoga Prosecutors office did not return The Independent’s request for comment.