Prosecutor to discuss Black SC teen killed by white cop
Associated Press | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 7 months AGO
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A prosecutor in South Carolina is expected to discuss his findings Wednesday in the shooting death of a Black teenager by a white police officer investigating car break ins.
Josh Ruffin, 17, was killed April 8 after he ran away when the police officer started asking him questions and pointed a gun at the officer chasing him, Columbia police Chief Skip Holbrook said.
Solicitor Byron Gipson plans a news conference Wednesday to discuss his conclusions about the case after reviewing the findings of state investigators for three weeks.
Gipson and Holbrook both promised to release the officer's body camera video of the shooting and other evidence once the investigation was complete.
The officer, whose name has not been released, fired during the 20-second chase and hit the teen at least once, Holbrook said.
An autopsy found Ruffin was struck in the front of his upper body, leading investigators to think he was turned toward the officer when he was struck, the police chief said.
A gun and a woman’s purse with cash inside were found beside the teen, Holbrook said.
Ruffin’s shooting has been brought up at several rallies to fight racial injustice in Columbia, with demonstrators shouting “Justice for Josh!”
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