News
News Home
Quick Bites Archive
Exploradio Archive
Programs Schedule Make A Pledge Member BenefitsFAQ/HelpContact Us
Courts and Crime


Tamir Rice video shows Cleveland officer fired at the boy within two seconds
Cleveland police release surveillance tape, dispatch audio and officers' names
by WKSU's KEVIN NIEDERMIER
and M.L. SCHULTZE


Reporter
Kevin Niedermier
 
A video released today shows a Cleveland police officer shooting Tamir rice who was brandishing a toy gun.
Courtesy of Kevin Niedermier

The city of Cleveland today released the surveillance video along with 9-1-1 and police dispatch audio from last weekend’s fatal police shooting of a 12-year-old boy, Tamir Rice.

LISTEN: Video and audio shed some light on the Tamir Rice shooting

Other options:
MP3 Download (0:59)


The video shows Rice talking on his cell phone and waving and pointing the toy gun outside the Cudell Recreation Center before police arrived. His behavior prompted this 9-1-1 call.

“He’s pulling it in and out of his pants and pointing it at people. He’s probably a juvenile you know. I’m getting ready to leave, but he’s right here by the youth center and he’s pulling it in and out of his pants, I don’t know if it’s real or not.”

At two other points, the caller says he thinks the gun is a fake.

What information never got to officers?
The dispatcher did not tell responding officers that the gun could be fake or that Rice might be a juvenile.

The surveillance video, which includes no audio, shows the officers arriving and the rookie officer -- who had been on the force for just about eight months -- shooting Rice during a period of 1 1/2 to 2 seconds.

During those seconds, Deputy Chief Ed Tomba says, "three commands were given (to Rice) to show your hands" by the officer, Timothy Loehmann.

Police had said earlier that Rice reached to his waistband for the toy gun.

In a call back to dispatchers for help, one of the officers said Rice looked to be about 20.

Police also released the names of both officers involved; the 26-year-old Loehmann and his partner, six-year veteran Frank Garmback, 46, who was driving the cruiser.

Both officers remain on paid leave.

Tomba says the boy got emergency medical treatment within minutes, but he died the next day. 

 
Page Options

Print this page



Copyright © 2025 WKSU Public Radio, All Rights Reserved.

 
In Partnership With:

NPR PRI Kent State University

listen in windows media format listen in realplayer format Car Talk Hosts: Tom & Ray Magliozzi Fresh Air Host: Terry Gross A Service of Kent State University 89.7 WKSU | NPR.Classical.Other smart stuff. NPR Senior Correspondent: Noah Adams Living on Earth Host: Steve Curwood 89.7 WKSU | NPR.Classical.Other smart stuff. A Service of Kent State University