Police Shoot and Kill Armed Teen in the Bronx: Cops

The officers were on foot patrol when they heard shots fired near East 151st Street and Courtland Avenue in Melrose

A 14-year-old boy was shot and killed by police early Sunday morning in the Bronx after authorities say he fired several shots.

According to police, the officers were on foot patrol when they heard shots fired near East 151st Street and Courtland Avenue in Melrose at around 3 a.m.

Police said the officers followed the sound of the shots and observed Shaaliver Douse, of the Bronx, with a 9 mm handgun, firing at another male who was fleeing.

After police identified themselves and ordered Douse to drop his weapon, he allegedly turned toward the officers.

One officer fired at Douse, striking him in the jaw. He was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

Investigators said they were looking at surveillance video from the area Sunday.

At a news conference Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said Douse fired off four rounds of shots, and it was unclear whether the fourth was aimed at the officers on the scene or at the man who fled.

"I don't see what the officers could have done any differently," Kelly said. "I think they did what we would expect officers of any experience level to do."

Both officers were taken to the hospital with tinnitus. The officer who fired on Douse had recently graduated from the police academy.

Douse was a known gang member, a law enforcement source said.

Douse's friends and family said he was just a normal boy.

"It's not fair," said Quwana Barcene, Douse's aunt. "Stop killing our children." 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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