Chicago Police say a 13-year-old boy was pointing a weapon at officers when they were forced to shoot him Monday in the West Humboldt Park neighborhood.
But the teen's family said Jimmell Cannon wasn't holding a gun and that his hands were up in the air when shots were fired. Cannon's father, Jimmy Porter, told NBCChicago the boy was shot eight times in the shoulders, hand and leg.
The family said they were at a cousin's birthday party when the shooting occurred. Cannon was taken to Stroger Hospital in serious-to-critical condition but is expected to recover.
Police said in a statement that officers were responding to reports of gunshots around 11 p.m. when they tried to talk to the teen in the 4200 Block of West Cortez. Jimmell Cannon apparently matched the description of the gunman.
The Fraternal Order of Police said the boy had what appeared to be a pistol in his hand and ran away from the officers. Police later discovered the weapon was a BB gun.
The teen then refused orders to drop the gun, according to police, and pointed it in the direction of the officers. An officer fired, striking him.
The Fraternal Order of Police said the officers handled the situation properly because a weapon was pointed at them.
Cannon's family disagrees, saying he's a good kid who isn't friends with the wrong crowd. Cannon is a 7th grader at Brian Piccolo Specialty School.
"I know my son, he doesn't carry weapons or hang around people who carry weapons," Porter said. "He's a 13 year old, he plays basketball."
Porter says his son is in stable condition and is expected to recover. He tells NBCChicago that his son was shot twice in the hand and that could be the most serious injury.
