cuyahoga county prosecutor’s report on …prosecutor.cuyahogacounty.us/pdf_prosecutor/en-us/rice...

Timothy J. McGinty CUYAHOGA COUNTY PROSECUTOR

OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

The Justice Center • Courts Tower • 1200 Ontario Street • Cleveland, Ohio 44113

(216) 443-7800 • Fax (216) 443-7601

CUYAHOGA COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S REPORT ON THE NOVEMBER 22, 2014

SHOOTING DEATH OF TAMIR RICE

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TableofContents1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 1

2. FactualSummary ................................................................................................................................. 2

3. Investigation ........................................................................................................................................ 5

a. OfficersontheScene(ChronologicalOrder) ................................................................................ 5

1. PatrolOfficerTimothyLoehmann ............................................................................................. 5

2. PatrolOfficerFrankGarmback ................................................................................................... 6

3. PatrolOfficerWilliamCunningham ........................................................................................... 7

4. DetectiveDanielLentz ................................................................................................................ 8

5. TheFBISpecialAgent ................................................................................................................. 9

6. PatrolOfficerKenZverina ........................................................................................................ 10

7. PatrolOfficerRicardoRoman ................................................................................................... 11

8. PatrolOfficerLouisKitko .......................................................................................................... 11

9. PatrolOfficerChuckJudd .......................................................................................................... 12

10. PatrolOfficerThomasGriffin ............................................................................................... 12

11. SergeantJanellRutherford ................................................................................................... 13

b. Dispatchers .................................................................................................................................... 13

1. BethMandl ................................................................................................................................. 13

2. ConstanceHollinger .................................................................................................................. 13

c. Witnessesonthescene ................................................................................................................. 14

1. Witness#1 ................................................................................................................................. 14

2. Witness#2 ................................................................................................................................. 14

3. Witness#3 ................................................................................................................................. 15

4. Witness#4 ................................................................................................................................. 15

5. Witness#5 ................................................................................................................................. 16

6. Witness#6 ................................................................................................................................. 16

7. Witness#7 ................................................................................................................................. 16

d. Miscellaneouswitnesses ............................................................................................................... 17

1. DetectiveJeffreyFollmer .......................................................................................................... 17

e. SceneDescriptionoftheCudellRecreationCenter .................................................................... 17

f. Timelineofvideo ........................................................................................................................... 18

CAMERA1 .......................................................................................................................................... 19

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CAMERA2 .......................................................................................................................................... 22

CAMERA3 .......................................................................................................................................... 23

CAMERA4 .......................................................................................................................................... 23

CAMERA5 .......................................................................................................................................... 25

CAMERA6 .......................................................................................................................................... 25

CAMERA7 .......................................................................................................................................... 25

CAMERA8 .......................................................................................................................................... 27

CAMERA9 .......................................................................................................................................... 28

CAMERA10 ........................................................................................................................................ 29

g. OhioStateHighwayPatrolAccidentReconstruction ................................................................. 29

h. BCIReport ...................................................................................................................................... 30

i. Coroner’sReport ........................................................................................................................... 31

j. TraceEvidence .............................................................................................................................. 31

k. Experts ........................................................................................................................................... 31

i. UseofForceExperts .................................................................................................................. 31

ii.OtherExperts ............................................................................................................................... 32

4. StandardofReviewinPoliceUseofDeadlyForceCases. .............................................................. 33

a. RoleoftheProsecutingAttorneyandGrandJury. ...................................................................... 33

b. Legalstandardgoverningtheuseofdeadlyforcebylawenforcementofficers. ..................... 35

i. PoliceofficersmaynotbecriminallychargedindeadlyforceincidentsunlesstheirconductviolatestheFourthAmendment. ....................................................................................... 35

ii. Theprosecutor’sroleinthegrandjury. .................................................................................. 36

iii. UndertheFourthAmendment,thetacticsusedbytheofficerspriortotheuseofdeadlyforcecannotbethebasisforfindingtheuseofdeadlyforceitselfunreasonable. ...................... 37

5. Analysis .............................................................................................................................................. 41

a. OfficersLoehmannandGarmbackweredispatchedtohandleaCode‐1callinvolvingamanwithagunthreateningpeopleatCudellRecreationCenter. ............................................................. 41

b. OfficerGarmback’sdecisiontousetheWest99thStreetapproachtoquicklyconfrontwhathehadbeeninformedwasanarmedsuspectneartheRecreationCenterwasreasonable. .......... 41

i. Asuspectpointingagunatpeopleatarecreationcenterposesaseverethreattothesafetyofofficersandthepublic. ....................................................................................................... 42

ii. TheincidentconformstotheClevelandPoliceDepartmentActiveShooterpolicy. ............ 46

iii. OfficerGarmbackapproachedtheincidentusingaroutecommonlytakenbyFirstDistrictOfficers. ................................................................................................................................. 49

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c. CredibleevidencefirmlycorroboratesOfficersLoehmannandGarmback’sstatementsthattheysawthesuspectwithagun. .......................................................................................................... 50

i. Forensicvideoanalysisconfirmstheofficers’statements. .................................................... 51

ii. Thepositionofthegunaftertheshootingandtheofficers’defensivereactionconfirmsthattheysawthesuspectpullingoutagun. ................................................................................... 56

iii. OfficersLoehmannandGarmback’ssubsequentstatementsareconsistentwiththeevidenceinthiscase. ......................................................................................................................... 60

iv. IndependentevidenceshowsthatthroughoutthedayonNovember22,2014,Tamirwaspullingtheguninandoutofhiswaistband. ............................................................................ 61

v. Tamir’sreplicafirearmwasfunctionallyidenticaltoarealfirearm. .................................... 66

6. Conclusion. ......................................................................................................................................... 69

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ThefollowingreportisasynopsisofthefactsandcircumstancessurroundingtheofficerinvolvedshootingdeathofTamirRiceonNovember22,2014.Thisreportisintendedtoprovidethepublicwith(1)anexplanationofthelegalstandardsusedtoreviewpoliceuseofdeadlyforce(UDF)incidents,and(2)anoverviewofthefactsandtheprocessutilizedindeterminingwhethercriminalliabilityispresent.TheinformationcontainedinthisreportisgleanedfromtheexhaustiveinvestigationdonebytheCuyahogaCountySheriff’sDepartment(CCSD),theClevelandPoliceDepartmentInvestigativeReport(CPD),withinputbytheOhioStateHighwayPatrol(OSP),theOhioBureauofCriminalInvestigation(BCI),aswellasexpertreportsandopinions.

ThepurposeoftheinvestigationwastodeterminewhetherprobablecauseexistedtoshowthatClevelandPoliceOfficersTimothyLoehmannandFrankGarmbackcommittedcriminaloffensesfortheirrespectiverolesincausingthedeathofTamirRiceonNovember22,2014.

1. Introduction

OnNovember22,2014,at3:30p.m.,TamirRice,age12,wasshotandkilledat

CudellRecreationCenterinCleveland,Ohiobyon‐dutyClevelandDivisionofPolice(CDP)OfficerTimothyLoehmann.WhenTamirRicewasshot,hehadinhispossessionanair‐softreplicafirearmthatappearedtobea1911Coltpistol.

AtthetimeofthisincidenttheCCPOwasfinalizingaprotocoltobeusedcounty‐wideinofficeruse‐of‐forcecaseswhereinanoutsideagencywouldconducttheinvestigation.ItwasnotuntilJanuary4,2015thatCCSDwasdesignatedastheinvestigativeagency.OnJanuary15,2015,theCityofClevelandLawDepartmentprovidedtheinvestigativefiletotheCCPO,whichdesignatedawalled‐offprosecutortoreviewandredactanyGarrity1information,andwhothenprovidedtheredactedCPDfiletotheCCSD.TheCCSDreceivedtheCPDinvestigativefileonFebruary4,2015.

TheCCSDstartedtheinvestigationfromscratchbygatheringallrelevant(non‐Garrity)evidencefromtheCDPfile.TheCCSDtheninterviewed29witnessesandalsoengagedOSP,aswellasBCI,toutilizetheiradvanceknowledgeinspecificareasofcrimesceneanalysis.TheOSPsubmittedareportofanaccidentre‐constructionanalysisandBCIsubmittedreportsonvideobreakdownand360scananalysisoftheshootingscene.

Further,CCPOengagedthreeuse‐of‐forceexperts,aswellasaforensicvideoconsultant.TheseexpertsprovidedCCPOwithwrittenreportsstatingtheirfindingsandopinions.AttorneysrepresentingtheRicefamilyinafederalcivillawsuitalsoprovidedtheprosecutor’sofficewiththreeexpertreports.Theseincludedtwopoliceprocedureexpertsandabiomechanicsandaccidentreconstructionexpert.

1Garritystatementsaregivenbyapublicemployeeduringaninternalinvestigationunderthreatoftheemployee'sterminationfromoffice,arecompelledstatements,andaresubjecttotheconstitutionalprotectionsoftheFifthandFourteenthAmendments.Statev.Jackson,125OhioSt.3d218,218,2010‐Ohio‐621,927N.E.2d574,576,(Ohio2010),citingGarrityv.NewJersey,385U.S.493,87S.Ct.616,17L.Ed.2d562

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2. FactualSummaryOnSaturdayNovember22,2014atapproximately10:30a.m.,TamirRice(12years

old)alongwithhissister(14yearsold),hisgoodfriendWitness#2(16yearsold),andWitness#2cousinwalkedovertotheCudellRecreationCenter.Witness#2livedacrossthestreetfromTamironWest99thStreet.OvertheyearthattheRicefamilylivedatthatlocation,Witness#2becamegoodfriendswithTamir.

TamirwasaregularattheRecreationCenterandheusuallyspentfivedaysaweekatthere,whichislocatedameretwoblocksfromhishouse.Atthattime,Witness#2hadownedareplicafirearm,anairsoftpistolthatfiredplasticBBs,thathisWitness#2’sfatherhadpreviouslypurchasedatalocalWal‐Mart.TamirandWitness#2agreedthatdaythatWitness#2wouldgivethereplicafirearmtoTamirandTamirwouldgiveWitness#2acellphonethatonlytheWi‐Fiworkedon,sothatWitness#2couldaccesstheinternet.

AccordingtoWitness#2,thatreplicafirearmcamewithanorangetiptosignifyitwasatoyandnotarealgun.Sometimebeforetheshooting,thereplicafirearmmalfunctionedandWitness#2tookitapart,firedit,butwasunabletoputtheorangetipbackonthegun.Witness#2alsostatedthatbeforeNovember22,2014,TamirhadborrowedthereplicafirearmfromWitness#2onseveraloccasionsandevenkeptthegunovernight.Onthatveryday,Witness#2warnedTamirtobecarefulwiththegunbecausetheorangetipwasmissingandbecausethereplicafirearmlookedlikearealgun.

DuringthemorningofNovember22,2014,TamirmadetheexchangewithWitness#2andputthereplicafirearminhisbackpack.TheythenwentintotheRecreationCenter.Ataroundnoon,TamirandhissisterwenthomebackhomeandthenreturnedtotheRecreationCenterafter1:00p.m.Witness#2indicatedthathewassupposedtogetthegunbackthatday,butneverdid.

VideosurveillancethatafternoonshowsTamirgenerallyplayingaroundwiththegunoutsidetheRecreationCenteratvarioustimesduringtheday.ThesurveillancevideoalsoindicatesthatfriendsofTamiratvarioustimesalsoplayedwiththegunoutsidetheRecreationCenter.Tamircanbeseenpullingthereplicafirearmfromhisrightsidewaist,puttingthegunbackintohisrightsidewaist,shootingatcartires,andpointingitatWitness#2,shootingathissister,pointingouttowardsnobody,showinghisfriendsandgenerallyplayingwiththereplicafirearm.

Ataround3:11p.m.,the911callerenteredtheparkareaandsatdownatthefarbenchunderthegazebooutsidetheRecreationCenter.The911Callerwaswaitingforabustoarrive.At3:24p.m.,the911Callermadethefollowing911calltoClevelandPoliceDispatcherConstanceHollinger:

911Caller:Hi,howareyou?Dispatcher:Good.911Caller:I’msittinghereintheparkbyWestBoulevardbytheWestBoulevardRapidTransitStation.There’saguywithapistol.It’sprobablyfake,buthe’slikepointingitateverybody.Dispatcher:Soyou’reattherapidstation?911Caller:(coughing)Dispatcher:AreyouattheRapidStation?911Caller:No,I’msittingacrossthestreetatthepark.

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Dispatcher:What’sthenameofthepark?Cudell?911Caller:Cudell;yes.Guykeepspullingitinandoutofhispants.It’sprobablyfake,butyouknowwhat?It’sscaringtheshitoutofme.Dispatcher:Whatdoeshelooklike?911Caller:Hehasacamouflagehaton.Dispatcher:Isheblackorwhite?911Caller:Hehasagray,graycoatwithblacksleeves;graypantson.Dispatcher:Isheblackorwhite?911Caller:I’msorry.Dispatcher:Isheblackorwhite?911Caller:He’sblack.Dispatcher:Yousaidhehadacameljacketandgraypants?911Caller:Nohehasacamouflagehaton.Youknowwhatthatis?Dispatcher:Yes.911Caller:DesertStormandhisjacketisgray,andit’sgotblacksleevesinit.He’ssittingonaswingrightnow,buthekeepspullingitinandoutofhispants,andpointingitatpeople.He’sprobablyajuvenile;youknow?Dispatcher:Youknowtheguy?911Caller:No,Idonot.Dispatcher:Doyouwanttoleaveyournameandnumber?911Caller:Huh?Dispatcher:Doyouwanttoleaveyournameandnumber?911Caller:Sure,I’mgettingreadytoleave,butIwanted…Dispatcher:Sir,whatisyourname?911Caller:[Callergiveshisname].Dispatcher:What’sthephonenumber?911Caller:[Callergiveshisphonenumber];I’mgettingreadytoleave,butyouknowwhat?He’srightherebythe,youknow;youthcenterorwhatever,andhekeepspullingitinandoutofhispants.Idon’tknowifit’srealornot.Dispatcher:Ok;we’llsendacaroutthere;thankyou.911Caller:Thankyou.

IntheCityofCleveland,thedispatchcenterhasatwo‐stepprocessbeforetheinformationisdispatched.A“calltaker”receivestheinitialcall,vetstheinformationandthenrelaysitelectronicallytotheactualdispatcher.Onthisdatethecalltakerdidnotinformthedispatcherofalloftheinformation.Specifically,thecalltakerdidnotinformthedispatcherthatthe“guy”withthegun“wasprobablyajuvenile”andthatthegun“isprobablyfake.” Thedispatcher,aftersomedifficultygettingacartorespondbecauseotherunitswerebusy,had“Adam2‐5”(GarmbackandLoehmann)respondtoaCode1(thehighestprioritycall)toCudellRecreationCenter.OfficersGarmbackandLoehmannwereonlyminutesawayandagreedtotakethecallafterclearingaburglaryalarm.Theverbatimdispatchisasfollows:

Dispatcher:Hey,wehaveaCode‐1atCudell.Everybodyistieduponpriorities.Supposedtobeaguysittingontheswingspointingagunatpeople.***Adam2‐5:We’lltakeit.Thealarmcheckisokay.

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Dispatcher:Alrightthanks;Charlie20justdisregardthem.Alright,it’satCudellRecCenter;19,10WestBoulevard;1,9,1,0WestBoulevard.[911caller]calling.HesaidintheparkbytheYouthCenter,there’sablackmalesittingontheswing.He’swearingacamouflagehat,agrayjacketwithblacksleeves.Hekeepspullingagunoutofhispantsandpointingitatpeople.Code1‐8,4,1,8:84,18.

Withthatinformation,OfficersGarmbackandLoehmanndrovetotheRecreationCentertakingWest99thStreet,whichisadeadendstreet.Theyapproachedbydrivingpastthedeadandoverthegrass,cominguptotheswingsetareawhereTamirwasreportedsitting.Tamirwasactuallysittingonthelastbenchunderthegazebowhichislocateddirectlywestfromtheswingset. OfficerGarmback,whowasdriving,thenapproachedthegazebo.Sinceithadrecentlysnowed,thegroundwaswetandcoveredwithwetleavesandsnow.Duetotheconditions,thepolicecarslidabout40feetandstoppedrightinfrontofthegazebo.Simultaneouslywiththecarsliding,Tamirtookacoupleofstepsnorthwesttowardtheopenfield,andthenapproachedtheslidingpolicecar. Asthecarcametoaslidingstop,OfficerLoehmannimmediatelyexitedthepatrolcarfromthepassengerdoor,andashedid,Tamirreachedintohisrightsidewaistband.Atthatmoment,OfficerLoehmanndischargedhisfirearmwithintwosecondsofexitingthecar.OfficerLoehmannfiredtwoshots,oneofwhichhitTamirintheabdomenandcausedhimtofallintheareabetweenthepatrolcarandthegazebo. Tamir’ssister,whowasoutsidenearthemainentranceontheothersideoftheRecreationCenter,ranthroughtheRecreationCenterthroughtheNorthDoortowardwhereTamirwaslying.OfficerWilliamCunningham,aCDPofficerworkingoff‐dutytoprovidesecurityattheRecreationCenter,alsoranouttothegazeboand,alongwithOfficerGarmback,restrainedTamir’ssister,whowasinastateofpanic.OfficersCunninghamandGarmbackhandcuffedherandplacedherinthebackofthepatrolcar. DetectiveDanielLentzandanFBISpecialAgentwhowereinthatareainvestigatingabankrobberyheardthecallofshotsfiredandproceededtotheRecreationCenterandarrivedwithinthreeminutes.Dispatchrecordsindicatethattheshotsfiredcallwasmadeat3:31:57pmandisasfollows:

ADAM2‐5:Radio,um,shotsfired!Maledown.Um,blackmale,maybe20[yearsold].Blackrevolver‐blackhandgun.SendEMSthisway.Andaroadboss.Dispatcher:AreyouatCudell?ADAM2‐5:Yes,ma’am.AtCudell.[Unintelligible]gotagunshotwoundtotheabdomen.ADAM2‐1:(anotherpatrolcar)Aretheyokaydownthere?ADAM2‐5:We’refine.Rookiehurthisankle.

TheSpecialAgentwasalsoanationalregisteredparamedictrainedtotreatgunshotwoundsandhadservedasacombatmedicwiththeMarineCorps.TheSpecialAgentimmediatelybegantotreatTamirandimmediatelyrealizedthatTamir’sbulletwoundwasverysevereandrequiredsurgery.TheSpecialAgenthadOfficerGarmbackassistinhiminprovidingfirst‐aidtoTamiruntiltheFireDepartmentarrivedapproximatelyeightminuteslater.AnambulancearrivedshortlyaftertheFireDepartment,whichthenimmediatelyrushedTamirtoMetroHealthHospital.

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DespiteundergoingsurgerytorepairthedamagecausedbyOfficerLoehmann’sgunshot,TamirRicediedatMetroHealthHospitalseveralhoursaftertheincident.

3. Investigation

ThewitnessesandinformationcontainedinthisreportarefoundintheexhaustiveCCSDinvestigativefileandaredeemedrelevanttothelegalinquiryofcriminalliabilityofOfficersGarmbackandLoehmann.AcompleterenditionofallwitnessesandfactsdevelopedthroughouttheinvestigationarecontainedintheCCSDfilethathasbeenmadeavailableontheCCPOwebsite.

a. OfficersontheScene(ChronologicalOrder)

1. PatrolOfficerTimothyLoehmann OfficerLoehmannwashiredbytheCityofClevelandonDecember4,2013.OfficerLoehmannwentthroughtheClevelandPoliceAcademy.LoehmannstartedworkingpatrolasatraineeofficerinSeptember,2014.Hewasinhis“training”phaseandunderthesupervisionofhisFieldTrainingOfficer(FTO)Garmbackatthetimeoftheincident.

OfficerLoehmannexercisedhisFifthAmendmentrightstoremainsilent,butdidsubmitawrittenstatementtotheCCSD.Itreads:

I,TimothyLoehmann,statethefollowing: Iwasinthecompanyofmypartner,FrankGarmback,workingCar1Adam25.ItwasSaturday,November22,2014.OfficerGarmbackwasmytrainingofficerIwasonprobation.IhadpreviouslyworkedattheFourthDistrict(4th).Iworkedmanycases,includinghomicides,aggravatedrobberieswithagun,andassaultswithweapons.IntheFourthDistrict,Iwasinvolvedinmanyactiveshootercases.Istartedaround2:30p.m.onNovember22,2014.WereceivedacalltoproceedtoSt.IgnatiusChurchonLorainandWestBoulevard.WhilespeakingtothePriestatSt.Ignatiusandfinishingthecall,wereceivedabroadcastofa“malewaivingagunandpointingitatpeople”attheCudellRecreationCenter.ThedescriptionwasofaBlackMale,camouflagehat,greyjacket,andblacksleevesatorneartheswingset.WerespondedtoaCode1. OfficerGarmbackwasdrivingandIwasworkingtheradio.Theotherpolicecarsweretiedupandansweringthecalls.Ourcarwastheclosestcar.CarA‐26wascomingfrom150thandLorain,about3to4milesaway.OfficerGarmbacktoldmetocontactradioandadvisedthatwewould“proceed.”WewentfromSt.IgnatiustotheCudellRecreationCenter.Weapproachedfrom99thStreet.99thStreetendsattheparkandneartheswingset.Thisentrytotheparkavoidsthepylonsandputsusclosertothelocationwherethesuspectisknowntobe. Whenwearrivedthesuspectwasnotattheswingset.Aswewereevenwiththeswingset,weobservedamalematchingthedescriptiongivenbytheradioseatedundertheGazebo.Themalewaswearingacamouflagehatandgreyjacketwithblacksleeves.Isawthesuspect,OfficerGarmbackdrovetowardtheGazebo.Thedrivingconditionswerecoldandwetwithalayerofsnow(likeadusting).Iestimatedweweretravelingabout10MPHbasedontheweatherconditions.Isaw

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thesuspectpickupanobjectandstickitdownintohiswaistbandandhestoodupandwalkedtowardtheRecreationCenter.Franksaid“watchhimhe’sgoingtorun.”WefearedhewasgoingtorunintotheRecreationCenter.Asthecarwasapproaching,thesuspectturnedtowardsourcar.OfficerGarmbackattemptstostopthecarasthemaleturnstowardsthecar.Thecar’santi‐lockbrakesrumbledasthecarslidtoastop.Ascarisslid,Istartedtoopenthedoorandyelledcontinuously“showmeyourhands”asloudasIcould.OfficerGarmbackwasalsoyelling“showmeyourhands.” Ikeptmyeyesonthesuspecttheentiretime.Iwasfixedonhiswaistbandandhandarea.Iwastrainedtokeepmyeyesonhishandsbecause“handsmaykill.”Themaleappearedtobeover18yearsoldandabout185pounds. Thesuspectliftedhisshirtreacheddownintohiswaistband.Wecontinuedtoyell“showmeyourhands.”Iwasfocusedonthesuspect.Evenwhenhewasreachingintohiswaistband,Ididn’tfire.Istillwasyellingthecommand“showmeyourhands.” Itriedtogettothebackofthecar.Wearetaughttogetbehindthecruiserforcover.Wearetaughtshootandmove.Youdonotwanttobeasittingtarget.Thesuspecthadagun,hadbeenthreateningotherswiththeweaponandhadnotobeyedourcommandtoshowushishands.Hewasfacingus.Thiswasanactiveshootersituation. IhadverylittletimeasIexitedthevehicle.Wearetrainedtogetoutofthecruiserbecause“thecruiserisacoffin.”Iobservedthesuspectpullingthegunoutofhiswaistbandwithhiselbowcomingup.OfficerGarmbackandIwerestillyelling“showmeyourhands.”Withhishandspullingthegunoutandhiselbowcomingup,Iknewitwasagunanditwascomingout.Isawtheweaponinhishandscomingoutofhiswaistbandandthethreattomypartnerandmyselfwasrealandactive. Ifired(2)twoshots.Basedon“tap‐tap”,training,Ishottowardstheguninhishand.Aftertwoshots,Iwenttotherearofthecruiser.Iplantedmyfootandtwistedmyankle.Aftersuspectwasdown,Ididn’tknowifthethreatwasover.FrankGarmbackcontinuedtoyell“showmeyourhands.”

2. PatrolOfficerFrankGarmback

OfficerGarmbackisaFirstDistrictPatrolOfficerandhadbeenwiththeDepartment

(atthetimeoftheincident)forsevenandahalfyears.OfficerGarmbackexercisedhisFifthAmendmentrightstoremainsilent,butdid

submitawrittenstatementtotheCCSD.Itreads:

I,FrankGarmbackstateasfollowsinregardstotheTamirRiceshootingincidentatCudellRecreationCenteronNovember22,2014.1.Iwasworking1Adam25ontheafternoonofNovember22,2014withPtl.Loehmann.Istartedat1430(2:30p.m.)Ptl.Loehmannwasanewofficer,onprobationatthetime.Iwastraininghim.2.Veryearlyinourshift,werespondedtoanalarmcallatSt.IgnatiusChurchat10205LorainRoad.Whilefinishingupthatcall,weoverheardaCode1broadcastreportingamale“waivingagunandpointingitatpeople”atCudellRecreationCenter.ItwasradioedthattherewasablackmaleatCudellwaivingandpointinga

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gun.Themalewasthreateningandscaringpeoplewithahandgun.Hewasonorneartheswingset.WerespondedtoCode1.3.ImadethedecisiontoapproachtheparkfromWest99th.West99thdeadendsatthepark,veryneartheswingset.Fromthere,Iknowwewouldhaveagoodviewoftheswingset,andgoodaccess,ifnecessary,asthatiswherethemalewasreportedtobe.Unliketheparkinglot,thereisnobarriertoautomobiles.4.Iobservedthatthemalethatwasnotattheswingset.WhenIdidnotseehimthereIenteredtheparkanddrovebytheswingsettowardthegazebo.Aswemovedintothepark,Isawthemaleinthegazebo.Hematchedthedescriptiongivenovertheradio:blackmale,camouflagehat,andagraysweatshirt/jacketwithblacksleeves.HesawusandstartedwalkingtowardtheRecreationCenterBuilding.5.Ibelievedatfirstthemalewasgoingtorun.IthinkItoldmypartner“watchhimhe’sgoingtorun.”However,hestoppedandturnedtowardsourcruiser.6.Iwastravellingat10to12MPHonceinthepark.7.PartofmyintentionswastokeephimawayfromenteringtheRecreationCenterBuilding.8.ThecruiserdidslideasIappliedthebrakes.Iamnotsurehowfar.ThecardidnotstopwhereIintended.9.IfirstsawthegunthatthemalehadagunaboutthetimePtl.Loehmannexitedthecruiser.Themalewaspullingitfromtherightfrontareaofhiswaistband.Ithoughtthegunwasreal.10.Ibelievethecruiserwindowswereupatthetimeoftheseevents,butIamnotsure.11.BothPtl.LoehmannandIdirectedthemaletoshowhishands.12.Ithoughtthemalewasanadult.Over18yearsold.13.Isawthegunlooseontheground,afewfeetfromthemaleafterhewasshot.Imoveditfurtherawayfromhim.

3. PatrolOfficerWilliamCunningham

Onthedayoftheincident,OfficerCunninghamhadbeenemployedasaClevelandPoliceOfficerforoverfourteenyears.OnNovember,22,2014,OfficerCunningham,infulluniform,wasworkingpart‐timesecurityinsidetheCudellRecreationCenteratthesign‐indeskduringthetimeoftheshooting. ThesecuritycamerasarelockedinaseparateroomandwerenotavailableforOfficerCunninghamtoviewwhensittingatthesign‐indesk.OfficerCunninghamwasunawarethatTamirwaspointingthereplicafirearmatvariousindividualsattheRecreationCenterthatafternoon.

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Atsomepoint(secondsaftertheshotswerefired)ayouthranuptoOfficerCunninghamandtoldhimthatthepolicehadjustshotsomeone.OfficerCunninghamwentouttoinvestigateandheardTamir’ssisterscreamandruntowardthecrimescene.Atthatpoint,OfficerCunninghamranafterherasOfficerGarmbacktriedtostopher. OfficerCunninghamindicatedthatTamir’ssisterwaskickingandscreaming,andwouldnotcalmdown.Thus,OfficerCunninghamassistedOfficerGarmbackinplacinghandcuffsonher.OfficerCunninghamfurtherstatedthatTamir’ssisterwasnottackled,butsincethegroundwasslipperyassherantowardthesceneOfficerGarmbackputouthisarmsandherfeetslippedoutfromunderherandshefell.ItwasOfficerCunningham’sideatoplaceherinthebackofthecarsinceshewouldnotcalmdown. OfficerCunninghamindicatedthatOfficerLoehmannappearedupsetanddistressed.Within90secondsoftheshooting,OfficerCunninghamaskedOfficerLoehmannwhathappened.OfficerCunninghamindicatedthatOfficerLoehmannstatedtohimthat,“hedidn’tgivemeachance…hereachedforthegunandhegavemenochoice.TherewasnothingIcoulddo.” OfficerCunninghamfurtherindicatedthatwhenhefirstobservedtheweaponontheground,hebelieveditwasreal,andthathehelpedsecurethesceneuntilback‐uparrived.OfficerCunninghamalsoobservedthearrivaloftheFBIAgentwhostartedtoadministerfirstaidtoTamirwiththehelpofOfficerGarmback.

4. DetectiveDanielLentz DetectiveLentz,aMarineCorpsveteran,isan18‐yearveteranoftheCDP(assignedfirstdistrictmajorcrimesdivision)wasinthecompanyofanFederalBureauofInvestigation(FBI)SpecialAgentonthedateinquestioninvestigatinganunrelatedbankrobbery.TheywereintheareaofWest117thStreetwhentheyheardthebroadcastofshotsfired.Det.Lentzstated:“Wedidn’tknowwhatwewereapproaching.Ijustknowtherewasacallforshotsfired.Ididn’tknowifitwasanactiveshooter.Ididn’tknowiftheofficershadbeenshotoriftheofficersshotsomeoneelse,orjustshotsfiredingeneral.” Det.LentzandtheFBIAgentproceededtotheCudellRecreationCenterwheretheFBIAgentimmediatelybeganadministeringfirstaidtoTamirwhowaslyingontheground.Det.Lentzobservedthescenewithhisattentiondrawntothegunlyingwithin20feetofTamir.Initially,Det.Lentzthoughtthegunwasreal,butafternoticingthemagazinewasseparatefromthegun,Det.Lentzsawagreenball,andatthatpoint,realizedthatthemagazineandammunitionwerenotreal.Referringtohisexperienceandknowledgeoffirearms(includingteachingclassesasaConcealedWeapons(CCW)Instructor)hestatedthathethoughttheweaponlooked1000%real. Atthatpointamale(lateridentifiedasTamir’solderbrother)arrivedonthescene,triedtoenterpastthecrimescenetape,andwasdetainedandputinanothersquadcar.WhenDet.Lentzattemptedtocalmthisindividualdown,hespitinDet.Lentz’sface.Det.Lentzadditionallyhadseveralinteractionswiththefemaleintheoriginalsquadcar(Tamir’ssister)butwasabletocalmherdown,andloweredthereardriversidewindowforher. Det.Lentz,aftertalkingtoTamir’ssister,hadtroublebelievingthatthatTamirwas12yearsold.Det.LentzwasundertheimpressionthatTamirwasbetween17or18yearsold.

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5. TheFBISpecialAgent

TheFBISpecialAgent(SA)hasbeenwiththeFBIsince2012assignedtotheClevelandFieldOfficesincethebeginningofhiscareer.Currently,heisassignedtotheViolentCrimeTaskForcewithafocusinBankRobberiesandservesastheDivisionBankRobberyCoordinator.PriortojoiningtheFBI,theFBIAgentwasaRochesterPoliceOfficerfromJanuary2010toSeptember2012.Hehasfourandahalf(4½)yearsofserviceintheUnitedStatedMarineCorpsasanInfantrymanaswellasReconnaissance.TheFBIAgentisalsocurrentlyservingintheUnitedStatedAirForceNationalGuard(NewYork)Para‐Rescue.ThroughhisdutiesintheAirForceheisinvolvedinciviliancombatsearchandrescueandisaNationalRegisteredParamedic.TheFBIAgentadditionallywasdeployedtoAfghanistanwhileservingintheAirForce. OnSaturday,November22,2014,theFBIAgentwaswithClevelandPoliceDetectiveDanielLentzfollowinguponananunrelatedbankrobberyinvestigation.TheFBIAgentsaid:

“Atapproximately3:30pmweheardabroadcastovertheCDPemergencydispatchforashooting.Weinitiallythoughtthatasubjectwasshotandhewasfleeing,thatquicklychangedwhentheyqualifieditandsaidtheindividualwasshotandtheywererequestingfireandEMSrespond.Wemadeitthereinthree(3)minutesaftertheshootinghappened…asIapproachedtheofficersIaskedforanyfirstaidequipment,medicalgear,anybodythathasanyofthattobringitoverhere.Theydidn’thaveanyofthatsoIsaidokgivemeapairofrubberglovesandIwalkedovertoTamirRiceandbegantoassesshimanddothemedicaltreatmentIcould.”

TheFBIAgentatfirstdidnotseeTamirmoveashelayonhisback,ontheconcrete,withhiscoatopenandhisshirtpartiallypulledup,exposinghisabdomen.AshewasassessingTamir,theFBIAgenttoldTamirthathewasaparamedicandhewastheretohelp.TamirrespondedwithanodofhisheadandhereachedfortheFBIAgent’shand.TheFBIAgentafterwordrelatedhisimpressionoftheinjury:

“[T]herealityofaninjurylikethatisthatheneededbrightlightsandcoldsurgicalsteel,heneedsasurgeontorepairthat…heneedstogotosurgery,that’stheendallresult,that’stheonlythingthatisgoingtorepairthedamage.Theonlythingweweredoingonscenewasjusttokeephimalivelongenoughtogettothehospital.Heneededbloodproductsandheneededsurgery.”

TheFBIAgentalsoindicatedthatTamirtoldhimhisnameandmadeareferencetoagun,butdoesnotrecallexactlywhathesaid.OfficerGarmbackalsoassistedtheFBIAgentinadministeringfirstaid,andthatatonepoint,theFBIAgentfeltthreatenedbyadisturbancethatoccurredasTamir’solderbrothercameontothescene. TheFBIAgentalsostatedthatheheardTamir’ssisterinthebackseatofthesquadcarscreamthatTamirwasonly12yearsold.TheFBIAgentstatedthatthissurprisedhim,becauseTamir’ssizegavetheAgenttheimpressionofanoldermale. AftermakingsurethatTamirwasonhiswaytothehospitalwithEMS,theFBIAgentturnedhisattentiontotheinjuredOfficerLoehmann.HestatedthatOfficerLoehmannwas

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distraughtanddeclinedassistancefromtheFBIAgent.TheFBIAgentspecificallydescribedhisinteractionwithin10minutesoftheshootingwithOfficerLoehmannthisway:

“heseemedlikeaguythatwasputinaverydifficultsituationandhadtomakeaveryquickdecisionbaseduponwhathebelievedwasanimminentfearofdeathorseriousphysicalinjurytohimselfandreactedtoit.EitherwayIdon’tbelieveitwasasituationhewantedtobein.”

OfficerLoehmanntoldtheFBIAgentinwhattheAgentbelievedtobea“spontaneousutterance…hehadagunandhereachedforitafterhetoldhimtoshowhishands.”TheFBIAgenttoldhimhewasonlytheretoseeifheneededmedicalattention. TheFBIAgentfurtherstatedOfficerLoehmannseemedtobeinalotofpain,butthatLoehmannsaidhewouldwaitfortheEMStoarrivetogetmedicalassistance.TheFBIAgentfurtherdescribedLoehmann’sdemeanor:“Ithinkitwasaverydifficultsituationforhimtodealwithandyouknewprobablynowastheadrenalineiswearingoff,Ithinktherealizationiskickinginthathejusthadtoshootsomebody.” TheFBIAgentalsomentionedthathedidnotseetheweaponbutheardtheofficerstalkaboutit.AfterseeingOfficerLoehmann,Det.LentzandtheFBIAgentaskedSergeantJanellRutherfordiftheycouldassistinanywayandweretoldtomakesuretheywereenteredintothecrimescenelog.Theythenleftthescene.

6. PatrolOfficerKenZverina Atthetimeoftheincident,OfficerZverinahadbeenaCDPofficerfor3½yearsandassignedtotheFirstDistricthisentirecareer.On11/22/14OfficerZverinawaspartneredwithOfficerRomandriving1‐Adam‐26. Atabout3:30p.m.asPatrolOfficerZverinawithOfficerRomanwereclearingadomesticdisputewhentheyheardabroadcastofa“manwithagun”atCudellRecreationCenter.WhileinroutetoCudelltheyheard“shotsfiredsendEMS”andsixminuteslatertheyarrivedonsceneandobservedanunknownmale(theFBIAgent)nearthesuspect.TheFBIAgentaskedOfficerZverinaformedicalequipmentandZverinarespondedtheydidnothaveany. OfficerZverinaobservedTamirlyingonthepavilionfloorwithhisheadfacingsouthandhislegsfacingnorth.OfficerZverinadidnothearTamirtalkingbutdidobservehimbreathing.OfficerZverinafurtherstatedthatheobservedafullframe,blacksemi‐automatichandgunjustnorthofwhereTamirwaslyingonthegrassanddescribedTamiras18‐20yearsold,6feettall,andabout200pounds. OfficerZverinadidnothaveanyconversationswithOfficersLoehmannorGarmbackbutdidhearOfficerLoehmannstatingthathisanklewasinpain.Atthatpoint,OfficerZverinawastaskedwithsettingupaperimetertoprotectthescenewhenheencounteredalargeblackmalewhobreachedthecrimescenetapeandtookupafightingstance.Withthehelpofotherofficers,OfficerZverinawasabletopeacefullyplacethatindividualintothebackofasquadcarparkednearby.Immediatelyafter,ablackfemaleapproachedfromthesamedirectionstatingthatshewasTamir’smother.OfficerZverinaobtainedpermissionfromSergeantRutherfordtohavethemotherrideintheEMSwagonwithherson.

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OfficerZverina’sstatedthatthegunappearedtoberealandthathedidnotlearnthatitwasareplicauntilsometimeafter.HewasalsounawarethatTamirwasonly12yearsold.

7. PatrolOfficerRicardoRoman Atthetimeoftheincident,OfficerRomanhadbeenemployedasaCDPofficerforthreeyearsandwaspartneredwithOfficerZverinaonthedayinquestion.Afterclearingadomesticdisputeheheardthedispatchofa“manwithagun”attheCudellRecreationCenterastheywereinroutetheyheardOfficerGarmback’sdispatchof“shotsfired”andatthatpointOfficerRomandidnotknowwhowasshot. OfficerRomanwasdrivingthecar,andat3:34p.m.,theyarrivedattheCudellRecreationCenterfromWestBoulevard,parkingonthesouthsideofthelotfacingeast.OfficerRoman’sinitialobservationwasthattherewasablackautomaticgunandmagazineclipnearwherethesuspectwaslying,whichhebelievedtobereal.OfficerRomanalsodescribedthesuspectasablackmale,earlytwentiesandeasilyover200pounds.OfficerRomanstatedthatwhenheobservedthesuspecthewasexperiencingshallowbreathing. Astheyarrived,OfficerRomanobservedOfficerGarmbackassistingtheFBIAgentinadministeringfirstaidtoTamir.OfficerRomanalsoobservedtheincidentwithTamir’sbrother,aswellasTamir’smotherarrivingonthescene. OfficerRomanstatedhedidnothaveanyconversationswithOfficersLoehmann(butbasedonOfficerRoman’sobservationsheappearedtobeveryupset)andGarmbackaboutwhathappened,exceptthathedidbrieflytalktoLoehmannabouthisankleinjury,andhismaintaskonthescenewastoguardtheperimeter.

8. PatrolOfficerLouisKitko OfficerKitkohasbeenemployedaCDPofficerfor18yearsandwasassignedtoaonemancar,onanotherassignment,onthedayinquestionwhenheheardthebroadcastof“shotsfired”witharequestforEMS.OfficerKitkoarrivedonthesceneat3:36p.m. Uponarrival,OfficerKitkoobservedthesuspect(Tamir)lyingonthegroundwithhisheadfacingsouthwithafirearmlayingclosetohisbody.OfficerKitkostatedthatthegunappearedrealandthatthemalelookedtobe19or20yearsold.OfficerKitkocalledtheClevelandPoliceOfficer’sUnionsincehehadbeenonthreeuseofdeadlyforcescenesbefore. OfficerKitkodidtalktoOfficerLoehmannaboutwhathappenedonsceneandstatedthatOfficerLoehmannwasveryemotionalandupsetabouttheincident,andthattheymayhaveprayedtogetherinthebackoftheambulance.OfficerKitkoatthetimeoftheinterviewcouldonlyrecountthegenericsofOfficerLoehmann’sstatementtohimaboutwhathappened.OfficerKitkostatedthatOfficerLoehmanntoldhimatthescenethattheywere“yellingcommandsatthemale,theystoppedthecarandthemalewentforthefirearmandtriedtopullitout,”andthatwaswhenOfficerLoehmannshothim. OfficerKitkorecountedthatheobservedablackmale(Tamir’sbrother)breachthecrimescenetapeyellingandballinguphisfist.OfficerKitkofurtherobservedthatotherofficersplacedhiminasquadcar.OfficerKitkoalsoheardTamir’ssisterinasquadcaryellingandheobservedSergeantRutherfordcalmdownTamir’smother,subsequently

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gettinghertoridewithEMStothehospital.OfficerKitkoalsoadvisedtheCudellRecreationCenterStaffthattheywouldneedacopyofthesurveillancevideo. OfficerKitkowasonlyonscenefor30minutes.

9. PatrolOfficerChuckJudd OfficerJudd,a15‐yearveteranofCDPwhohasspenthisentirecareerintheFirstDistrict,statedthatonthedayinquestionhewasonpatrolwithrookieOfficerBrianTaylor,whowasinthefirststageoftheFieldTraining(FT)program.OfficersJuddandTaylorheardthebroadcastofanofficerinvolvedshooting.OfficerJuddtraveledwithlightsandsirensontotheCudellRecreationCentergoingdownWest99thStreet,whichdeadends,andupoverthecurbintothepark.TheroutetakenbyOfficerJuddwastheexactroutetakenbyPatrolmanGarmback.Whenaskedwhyhetookthatroute,OfficerJuddstatedthatitiscommonpracticeamongbyFirstDistrictpatrolofficerstotakethatroutebecausetheofficerwouldhaveagoodviewofeverythingthatisgoingoninthepark,andbecauseitgivestheofficersatacticaladvantageasopposedtocominginthroughtheparkinglot. OfficersJuddandTaylorarrivedat3:37p.m.OfficerJudd’sinitialobservationofthemale(Tamir)layingonthegroundwasthathewasa18or19yearoldblackmale,weighing200pounds,andthathedidnotlooklikea12yearold.OfficerJuddanalyzedthesceneimmediately,instructingOfficerTaylortoassisthiminplacingyellowtapearoundthescene.AccordingtoOfficerJudd,withinminutesafterhisarrival,alargecrowdstartedtogathernearby. OfficerJuddalsoencounteredTamir’sbrotherbreachingtheyellowtapeandwasabletotalktohimandputhiminthebackseatofOfficerJudd’ssquadcar.Sometimeafterthat,OfficerJuddassistedSergeantRutherfordingettingTamir’smotherintheEMSvehicle. SergeantRutherfordinstructedOfficerJuddtofollowEMStothehospital.OfficerJuddhadOfficerTaylorrideinthebackoftheEMSvehiclewithTamirasOfficerJudd(afterremovingTamir’sbrotherfromhissquadcartoanothersquadcar)followedEMStothehospital.OfficerJuddwasonthesceneforapproximately15minutes.

10. PatrolOfficerThomasGriffin OfficerGriffinhasbeenaCDPofficerfor21½yearswiththemajorityofhistimeasapatrolofficerandsomeexperienceasavicedetective. OnNovember22,2014,whileonpatrolintheFirstDistrict,OfficerGriffinheardthebroadcastofshotsfiredatCudellRecreationCenterandthenrespondedtothescene.Atthescene,OfficerLoehmanntoldhimthathethoughtheinjuredhisanklewhenhedovetothebackofhiscartakingcover. SurveillancevideoshowstheweaponjustnorthofTamir’sfeetandOfficerGriffinputtingabagovertheweapon.OfficerGriffinthenassistedinsettinguptheperimeterandmaintainedthecrimesceneloguntilthescenewascleared. OfficerGriffinstatedthatwithinaweekhewasabletotalktoOfficerGarmbackaboutwhathappened.OfficerGarmbackstatedtoOfficerGriffin“thattheypulledupsawasuspectmatchingthedescriptionandthoughthemightrun,astheypulledupthesuspect

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startedtowalktowardthemasheattemptedtostopbutcouldnotandsliduptothegazebo.Ashewalkedup[thesuspect]pulleduphisshirtanddrewagunfromhiswaistband.”OfficerGarmbackalsostatedtoOfficerGriffinthatbothheandOfficerLoehmannwereyellingcommandsastheyslidto“putupyourhands.” OfficerGriffinalsotalkedtoOfficerLoehmannwithinaweekoftheincident.OfficerLoehmanntoldhimthat“thesuspectpulleduphissweatshirtandthenpulledagunoutofhiswaistbandandthathesawtheguninthesuspect’shandanditreallylookedbig,aswellasthathehadnochoice.”OfficerGriffinstatedthatOfficerLoehmannstillseemedlikehewasinadazeovertheincident.

11. SergeantJanellRutherford SergeantRutherfordwasnotinterviewedaspartoftheCCSDinvestigationbecauseoftheparametersimposedunderwhatisknownas“Garrity”law.FactsdevelopedthroughoutthisinvestigationindicatethatSergeantRutherfordwastheonly“roadboss”onshiftthatafternoonandshearrivedonsceneat3:43p.m.SergeantRutherfordwastheseniorofficeronsceneandwouldhavetakenchargeofthesceneatthattime.

b. Dispatchers1. BethMandl

BethMandlwasthepersonwhodispatchedthecalltoOfficersGarmbackandLoehmannonNovember22,2014.Ms.MandlhasbeenadispatcherforClevelandsinceDecember,2010.Accordingtostandardoperatingprocedure,Ms.Mandlwouldhavedispatchedtheinformationgiventoherelectronicallyafterbeingvettedbythecalltaker. Onthedayinquestion,Ms.Mandlstatedthatwhenthecallappearedinherqueueofcallstobeassigned,therewerenocarsfreethatshecouldassigntorespond.Shecalledfora“roadboss”.Ms.Mandlthendispatchedthecalltotwocar:A26,A25(GarmbackandLoehmann)thatwereabletoclearfromtheircurrentassignment. Afterdispatchingtheinitialcall,Ms.MandlmanagedtherequestbyOfficerGarmbackforEMSaftercheckingtomakesuretheofficerswerenotinjured,aswellasfollowuprequestsbyOfficerGarmbackto“stepitup”regardingtheEMS.Onbothoccasions,Ms.MandlinformedOfficerGarmbackthatEMShadbeenadvised. Initially,Ms.Mandldidnotrealizeitwasapoliceshootingandoncesherealizedanofficerdischargedhisweapon,shenotifiedhersupervisortonotifytheChiefofPolice,DistrictCommander,UseofDeadlyForceInvestigationTeam(UDFIT),UnionRepresentative,allcommanders,andtheSafetyDirector.

2. ConstanceHollinger

ConstanceHollingerhasbeenadispatcherforover19years,whichincludesbeinga“calltaker”anda“dispatcher.”AccordingtoMs.Hollinger,itistheresponsibilityofthecalltakertogetpertinentinformation,includingthereasonforthecall,andsendthevettedinformationelectronicallytothedispatchertohandlethecase.

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Ms.Hollingerdidrememberthisparticularcall,butontheadviceofunionattorneys,didnottellSheriff’sinvestigatorswhytheinformationofthegunbeing“probablyfake”andTamirbeing“probablyajuvenile”wasnotsenttothedispatcher.

c. Witnessesonthescene1. Witness#1

Witness#1statedthatontheafternoonofNovember22,2014,hewassittingatthegazebowaitingforabuswhenheobservedan“olderlooking”blackmalewhowaswalkingfromtheCudellRecreationCenter.Themale(Tamir)walkedonthesidewalkinfrontofhimbutclosertotheparkinglot. Witness#1statedthatthemalethenstartedtoact“gangster”bypullingaguninandoutofhiswaistbandandobservedthatspecificmotionatleast6or7times.Witness#1furtherstatedthatin2012hehadbeenavictimofapreviousassaultandbecauseoftheactionsbythemale(Tamir)hebecamefrightenedandherefusedtomakeeyecontactwithhim. Witness#1recalledthatatonepointthemalepulledthegunoutinfrontofapasserbyandpointedthegundirectlyattheperson’sfaceasshewalkedbyhimonthesidewalk.(SurveillancevideocapturesthisinteractionbetweenTamirandWitness#6). Witness#1furtherstatedthatwhenthemalewalkedbacktowardtherecreationcenterandawayfromhim,hetookouthiscellulartelephonetoplaceacalltoa911dispatcher.Eitherduring,orjustafterthe911call,Witness#1statedthatthemalewalkedbacktowardshim,walkedpasthimonthesidewalkandsatontheswinglocatedinthepark.Hestatedthatbecausehehadhis“hoodie”upoverhishead,hewastryingtoconcealthefactthathewasonthetelephonefromthemale.Hestatedthatatonepointhewasafraidthathemaybeshotinthebackifhehadgottenupandwalkedtowardthebackofthetransitstation. Witness#1statedthathekeptpeekingatthemaleontheswings,andwhenhesawthemalehadhisbacktohim,hegotupfromthebenchandcalmlywalkedtowardthetransitstation.Hestatedthathegotonthebusandheadeddowntown.Witness#1statedthathedidnotknowwhathadhappenedafterheplacedthe911calluntileitherlaterduringtheevening’slatelocalnewsorthenextday.

2. Witness#2

Witness#2livedacrossthestreetfromtheRicefamilyandduringtheyearthattheRice’slivedthereWitness#2andTamirbecamegoodfriends. SometimebeforeNovember22,2014,Witness#2’sfatherhadboughtWitness#2anairsoftreplica1911coltpistolandsometimelateritmalfunctioned.Witness#2tookitapart,fixedit,butcouldnotgettheorangetipbackonthegun.PrevioustoNovember22,2014,Witness#2hadgiventheguntoTamirtoplaywithandTamironseveraloccasionskeptthereplicafirearmathishouseovernight.

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OnthedayinquestionitwasagreedbetweenWitness#2andTamirthattheywouldtradethereplicafirearmforacellphonesothatWitness#2couldreceiveWi‐Fi.Witness#2,alongwithhiscousin,Tamir,andTamir’ssisterwenttotheCudellRecreationCenter.Witness#2statedthatTamirwouldbeattheCudellRecreationCenterforatleastfivedaysaweekplayingaroundboththereandattheparknearby.Thatmorning,Witness#2specificallywarnedTamirthatsomeonecouldmistakethereplicafirearmforarealgun. AccordingtoWitness#2,thatmorningTamirwasshootingthepelletsatWitness#2,Witness#2’scousin,andwaspointingthegunathissister.Witness#2alsostatedthathewassupposedtogetthegunbackfromTamirthatday,butthetwonevermetup.

Witness#2statedthathetextedTamir,laterintheday,anddidnotgetananswer.Witness#2wasatMcDonald’sonWest105thStreetwhenheheardthatTamirhadbeenshot.

3. Witness#3

Witness#3knewTamirfromhangingoutattheCudellRecreationCenterwithTamir.Witness#3statedthatTamirandWitness#2wouldalwaysbetogetherandthattheywere“playbrothers.” OnNovember22,2014,Witness#3encounteredTamirattheCudellRecreationCenterwiththereplicafirearmplayingnearthetemporarytrailersthatweresetupbehindtheMarionSeltzerElementarySchool.TheSchoolislocateddirectlynortheastoftheCudellRecreationCenterbetweentheswingset,gazebo,andtheRecreationCenter.Witness#3statedthatTamirshowedhimthegunandlethimholdthegunandfireitatthetrailersbeforetakingitback. Afterthat,Witness#3statedthathedidnotwanttobearoundTamirsince3‐4monthsearlierhehadaBBguninhispocketwhileinastoreandthepoliceapproachedhimandtoldhimputhishandsup.Afterputtinghishandsup,thepolicethentookthegun,andWitness#3statedthathegotintroublebecauseofthatincident.Witness#3alsoindicatedthatTamirkepthisguninsidehiswaistbandwiththebarrelpointingdownwardandthatTamirhadtoliftuphisjackettopullitoutwhenhewaswithhim. Witness#3decidedtomeetupwithTamirinsidetheCudellRecreationCenterafterTamirtookthegunbackfromhim,butheendedupinfrontoftheCudellRecreationCenterbytheArtsBuildingwhenheheardthegunshots.Witness#3claimsheheardthreegunshotsandthenheardTamir’ssisterscreaming.Witness#3wenttothegazeboareawherehesawTamirlyingonhisbackwithhiskneesbenttowardtheCudellRecreationCenterentrance.Witness#3watchedEMStakeTamirtothehospitalandWitness#3statedhewenthomeafterthat.

4. Witness#4

Witness#4isfriendswithWitness#3.Overthelastyear,Witness#4knewTamirfromhangingoutattheCudellRecreationCenter.OnNovember22,2014,Witness#4inthecompanyofWitness#3sawTamirshootingthereplicafirearmatthetiresoftheparkedcar.Witness#4alsoshotthegunattheparkedcar’stiresbutleftTamirtogointo

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theCudellRecreationCenterbecauseheknewthatWitness#3hadgottenintroubleforhavingafakegun. Witness#4statedthatbeforeTamirgotshothewouldpulltheguninandoutofhispants“likerobbersdo”andhewasinfrontoftheCudellRecreationCenterwithWitness#3whentheyheardtheshots.Theyrantowardsthegazeboandwitnessedtheplainclothesofficer(FBI)attendtoTamir.TheystayeduntilTamirwastakentothehospital.

5. Witness#5

Witness#5livesnorthwestoftheCudellRecreationCenterandhersonwenttoelementaryschoolwithTamir.Onthatday,hersonwasintheRecreationCenterplayingbasketball.Witness#5statedshesawtwolittleboysplayingoutsidetheCudellRecreationCenterfromawindowinsideherhome. About30minutesafterobservingthoseboysoutsidetheCudellRecreationCenter,Witness#5wasgettingintoafriend’scartogotothestorewhensheheardthreegunshotsandsomeyelling.Specifically,Witness#5describedtwogunshotsbeing“bang,bang”thenhearingsomeoneyelling“freeze…showmeyourhands”andthentherewasathirdandfinalbang. Witness#5furtherstatedshewitnessedagirlrunningtowardswherethepolicecarwaslocatedscreaming“that’smybrother”andsubsequentlyfightingwithoneofficer.Anotherofficercamefrombehindthecarandappearedtobehurtsincehewasleaningupagainstthevehicle.Eventually,Witness#5gotinsideherfriend’scar,rolleddownthewindow,andobservedthefiretruckarrivingwhilehearingmoresirensgettingclosertothearea.Witness#5alsoobservednumerouskidsrunningfrominsidetheCudellRecreationCentertotheoutsidewheretheshootingtookplace. ThelocationofWitness#5whensheobservedtheseeventsisapproximately320feetfromthegazebowithaneightfoothighchainlinkfenceoverlookingawideopenfield.

6. Witness#6

Witness#6knewTamirfromherinteractionwithhimattheCudellRecreationCenterandsheencounteredTamironNovember22,2014.Witness#6statedthatTamirwasontheswingsshowingherthegunandtellingheritwasnotreal.Witness#6alsostatedthatshewassurethegunhadanorangetiponit. However,thevideosurveillancefromCamera1demonstratesthatTamirandWitness#6actuallymetonthesidewalkinfrontofthegazebo.(Witness#1wassittinginsidethegazeboatthattimeduringtheinteraction).ThevideoshowsTamiropenlycarryingthereplicafirearmthenpointingitatWitness#6asshewalkedaway.

7. Witness#7

Witness#7livesneartheCudellRecreationCenterandworksoutregularlyatthegym.HeknewTamirfrombeingaroundtheRecreationCenter.

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LateinthemorningofNovember22,2014.afterworkingoutatthegym,Witness#7observedTamirplayingwithagun“insideandoutsidetheRecreationCenter.”Witness#7stated,“justwavingthegun,pullingitoutlike(herobbinpeople).”Witness#7clearlytoldTamirto“putthegunup,youcan’tbeplayingwithagunlikethatthisdayandage,”whichTamirrespondedbylaughingitoff. LaterthatdayWitness#7wasathomegettingintohiscarthatwasparkedonthestreetandobservedTamirstandingunderthegazeboandsawtwoofficerspullup.Beforethecarcouldstop,oneoftheofficersgotout,stumbled,andshotTamir.AccordingtoWitness#7,thepoliceofficerswereinastateofshock,andobservedanunmarkedpolicecarpullupandamangetoutofthecarandstartapplyingpressuretoTamir’swounds. Witness#7statedthatwhentheambulanceandparamedicscame,hebelievedatthattimethatTamirwasdead.HelaterlearnedthatTamirdiedatthehospital.

d. Miscellaneouswitnesses1. DetectiveJeffreyFollmer

DetectiveJeffreyFollmer,atthetimeoftheincident,hasbeenaCDPofficerfor23yearsandwasPresidentofthePatrolman’sUnion. Onthedate inquestion,DetectiveFollmer, inhiscapacityasUnionPresident,wasabletotalktoOfficerLoehmannwhenhearrivedattheFairviewHospital.DetectiveFollmerstatedthatOfficerLoehmanntoldhimthat:

OnthewaytotheparkOfficerGarmbackwasteachingOfficerLoehmannhowandwhytheywereapproaching(tocontainthesuspect).

Whentheyenteredtheysawthesuspectonthebenchpickupagunandplaceitinhiswaistband.

Theythoughthewasgoingtorun. Thecardidnotstopwherehewantedittoandthecarkeptsliding. Asthecarwasslidingtheyweregivingverbalcommands“toshowyourhands.” HetoldDet.Follmerthatheknewthegunwasinhiswaistbandandthathedidnot

wantthesuspect’shandstogotohiswaistband. Atthemomenttheywerestoppingthesuspectwentforthegun,startedtopullitout,

andOfficerLoehmannwasinfearthatheorhispartnerweregoingtobeshot.

DetectiveFollmerstatedthatatthehospitalOfficerLoehmann’semotionalstatewasupanddownandturnedtodisbeliefwhenDetectiveFollmertoldOfficerLoehmanntheageofTamir.OfficerLoehmannbelievedTamirtobebetweentheagesof20and25.

OfficerGarmbacktoldDetectiveFollmerthatastheywereapproachingheexpectedthesuspecttorun.Whenthesuspectturnedtowardsthem,OfficerGarmbackstatedheslammedonthebrakesandsliduptothesuspect.HealsostatedthathewasindisbeliefwhenhelearnedTamir’sage.

e. SceneDescriptionoftheCudellRecreationCenter

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ThesceneoftheshootingistheCityofClevelandCudellParkwithanaddressof1910WestBlvd.CudellParkissituatedonthesoutheastcornerofWestBlvd.andDetroitRoad.CudellParkisalsoborderedbyWest98thStreettotheeastandtothesouthbyMarionC.SeltzerElementarySchoolwithanaddressof1468West98thStreet,residences,andWest99thStreet/West100thStreetandtheCVSlocatedat10022MadisonAvenue. CudellParkvariesinsizewithanapproximationofthenorthernendof653’easttowestandaroundthesouthernendtheparkextendsfromWestBlvd.538’easttoSeltzerElementarySchool.AlongtheareaofWestBlvd.theparkis716’fromDetroitRoadsouthtothepropertylinewhileintheareaofWest98thStreettheparkis420’fromDetroitRoadtothepropertylineattheparkinglotofSeltzerElementarySchool. CudellRecreationCenteriswithinCudellParkandisabuildingthatisapproximately217’northtosouthand121’easttowest.TheRecreationCenterisapproximately166’eastofWestBlvd.and80’southofDetroitRoad.TheentrancetotheRecreationCenterisaboutcenteredontheeastsideofthebuilding.CementwalkwaysleadtoandfromtheentrancetoDetroitRoadtothenorth,West98thStreet,basketballcourtsandaparkinglottotheeast,andsouthtowardstheparkinglot. TheparkparkinglotisadjacenttoWestBlvd.andmeasuresapproximately263’easttowestand128’northtosouth.Thewalkwayalsoleadstoahexagonshapedgazeboapproximately200’southoftherecreationcenterentrance. Approximately25’southofthegazeboisaparkplaygroundpadthatalsohasaswingsetthatwasapproximately50’fromthegazebo.ThewalkwaycontinuespastthegazebosouthtoWest99thStreet,southwesttoWestBlvd.,andsoutheasttoareasaroundSeltzerElementarySchool. TheconfrontationwiththepoliceofficersoccurredatthegazeboinCudellPark.Thegazebowas35’3”eastoftheeasterncurbiftheparkinglot.Thesidewalkis12’3”widealongtheeastcurbwith23’ofgrassbetweensidewalkandgazebo. Thegazeboisbuiltoveracementpadthatislevelwiththesurroundingground.Theroofwasheldupbysixseparatepoleseachatapointwhereeachofthesixroofedgescometogether.Eachofthesixroofedgeswereeachapproximately15’long.Therearenosidestothegazebo. Locatedunderneaththegazebowerethreecementpicnictablesthatwereeach7’1”longand5’9”wide.Eachofthesepicnictableslengthwisewerepositionednorthtosouth.Twoofthesepicnictableswereendtowardsend,1’9”apart,ontheeasternsideofthegazebowhilethethirdtablewasonthewesternsideapproximately3’5”fromtheothertwopicnictables.

f. Timelineofvideo TheincidentoccurredattheCudellRecreationCenter,1910WestBoulevard,Cleveland,OhioonNovember22,2014atapproximately3:30p.m.TheDVDreviewedbyDetectiveDavidJacobswasprovidedtotheCuyahogaCountySheriff’sOfficeviatheCuyahogaCountyProsecutors’Office(CCPO).TheDVDcontainsapproximatelyfivehoursofsurveillancevideo.Therecordingtimeforallcamerasis11:00a.m.to4:00p.m.TheDVDalsocontainstenseparatecameraviews.ThecameraslistedbelowarenumberedonethroughtenandarelocatedonoraboutvariouslocationsattheCudellRecreationCenter.

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Cameranumbersarelocatedintheupperleftareaofeachview,forexample(Cam1).Thecameraviewsmayoverlapcoveragebutareseparateandfunctionindependently.

Cam1‐viewofgazebofacingeast,locatedonautilitypole(outside) Cam2‐viewofparkinglotfacingwest,locatedonautilitypole(outside) Cam3‐vieweastentrance,locatedontheCudellRecreationCenter(outside) Cam4‐partialviewgazebo,parkinglotfacingsouth,locatedontheCudellRecreation

Center(outside) Cam5‐viewofindoorbasketballcourtfacingsouthwest(inside) Cam6‐viewofthesecondfloorindoorhallway,facingwest,locatedinsidetheCudell

RecreationCenter(inside) Cam7‐viewofthefrontdesk,facingeast,locatedinsidetheCudellRecreationCenter

(inside) Cam8‐viewofthegazebolocatedintherear(west),facingnorth/westlocatedon

CudellRecreationCenter(outside) Cam9‐viewoftheparkinglot,facingsouth/west,locatedontheCudellRecreation

Center(outside) Cam10–viewoftherearentrance(west)facingwest(outside)

AllofthecameraslistedaboveareoperatedandmaintainedbytheCudell

RecreationCenter.TheDVRrecordingdeviceislocatedintheCudellRecreationCentermanager’soffice.TheoriginalDVRwasobtainedandenteredintoevidence.TheDVRwassubmittedtotheOhioAttorneyGeneral’sOffice,BureauofCriminalInvestigation(BCI)forfurtherexamination.TheDVRdidnotcontaintheoriginalfootagefromNovember22,2014.Theharddrivewasoverwritten.Itwasdeterminedthroughfurtherexamination/investigationthatthefootageremainsontheharddriveforapproximatelythirty(30)daysbeforeitisoverwritten.

Thefollowingtimeline,whichwascompiledbytheCuyahogaCountySheriff’sDepartment,describesthesignificanttimesandeventsindicatedonthesurveillancevideo.ThecameraviewsdepictTamirRice,Tamir’ssister,andothersidentifiedthroughfurtherinvestigationandwillbenamedordescribeddependingonknownorunknownidentity,clothingdescriptioncouldbeusedotherwise.

CAMERA111:04:49‐Witness#2,Tamir’ssister,andTamirwalknorthpastthegazebotoward

the Cudell Recreation Center east entrance. Tamir puts something inWitness#2’sbackpack.AccordingtoWitness#2,Tamirwasreturningthe“Colttargetpistol,lasersight”hereinreferredtoasthereplicafirearmtoWitness#2.ThethreecontinuewalknorthtowardtheCudellRecreationCenter.

11:05:26‐Tamir,Tamir’ssister,andWitness#2exitviewofcamera1.

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13:03:52‐Tamirholdingreplicafirearm,Witness#2,andUnknownMale#1walkingonsidewalksouthbound.TamirplacesreplicafirearmtoUnknownMale#1’shead.

13:06:34‐TamirpointingreplicafirearmatUnknownMaleandWitness#2asthey

exitviewofcamera.13:06:51‐Tamir’ssisterwalkingsouthboundonsidewalkbyherself.13:41:24‐Tamir’ssisterwalkingnorthonsidewalkbyherself.13:41:56‐Tamirwalkingnorthonsidewalkalone,noreplicafirearmvisible,appears

tobeeatingsomething.13:49:59‐Tamirre‐entersview,walksintogazeboalone.Heappearstohavereplica

firearminhand.Tamircaptured“ducking”downinacrouchpositionneargarbagecan(thegazebo.)Walkstowardplaygroundarea.

13:55:44‐Tamir(alone)reappearsandisstillinplaygroundarea,walksbehindthe

gazeboinaneastdirection.13:57:34‐Tamirexitsviewofcamera1.15:02:54‐TamirwalkstowardthegazebowithUnknownMale#2.15:03:10‐TamirandUnknownMale#2walkintoplayground,exitsviewofcamera1.15:05:29‐Tamirhasreplicafirearmout,walkingwithWitness#3,Witness#4,and

UnknownMale#2towardsthegazebo.15:08:26‐Tamir,UnknownMale#2,Witness#3,andWitness#4leavethegazebo

andwalknorthwesttowardcamera4.15:11:52‐Witness#1entersthegazebofromthesouthandsitsattheeasternmost

table.15:12:44‐Tamirre‐enterscamera1viewfromthenorthandwalksonthesidewalk

infrontofthegazebo.15:13:09‐Tamirremovesreplicafirearmfromrightwaistbandareaandpointsthe

replicafirearmsouth.Tamirisonsidewalk.15:17:08‐ Tamir still has replica firearm in hand, re‐enters from the south with

Witness#6whowaswearingagreen jacket.Witness#6 iswalkingonsidewalk northbound. Tamir and Witness #6 appear to have aconversation.TamirpointsthereplicafirearmatWitness#6asshewalksaway.Witness#6iscapturedonCamera8at14:49:05talking/huggingwithTamir’ssister.

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15:17:44‐Tamirstillhas thereplica firearm inhand in frontof thegazeboon thesidewalk.Tamirpointingthereplicafirearminalldirections.

15:17:50‐Tamirputsthereplicafirearminhisrightwaistband.15:19:00‐Replicafirearmnotvisible,Tamirinfrontofthegazeboplayingwithsnow

exitsviewofcamera1.15:20:59‐Tamirexitsviewsouth.15:25:49‐Witness#1standsupinthegazeboandbeginstowalknorthoutofviewof

camera1.15:26:39‐AsWitness#1exits thegazebonorthTamirenters thegazebo fromthe

south.15:27:17‐Tamirhasthereplicafirearminhandandispointingitsouth.15:27:37‐Tamirsitsatthenortheasternmostpicnictableinsidethegazebo.Itshould

benotedtherearethreetablesinsidethegazebo.15:30:13‐Tamirstandsupandwalksnorthwesttowardstheedgeofthegazebo.15:30:23‐ CDP marked unit 115A arrives, Tamir reaches in his right waistband.

PatrolmanTimothyLoehmannexitsthepassengerside,drawsandpointshis firearm in the direction of Tamir. Officer Loehmann retreatsbackwardsandstumblesandfallscontinuingtopointhisweaponinthedirectionofTamir.OfficerLoehmanntakescoverattherearofhisvehicle.

15:30:27‐PatrolmanFrankGarmbackexits115Adrivers’side.15:31:00‐OfficerGarmbackapproachesTamirandappearstokicksomethingwith

hisleftfootinawesterlydirection.15:31:45‐OfficerGarmbackextendshisarmstowardTamir’ssisterassheentersthe

camerafromthenorth.ThiscausesTamir’ssistertofalldown.15:31:49‐OfficerGarmbacktakesTamir’ssistertotheground.15:31:53‐OfficerLoehmannassistswithTamir’ssisterasOfficerGarmbackturnshis

attentiontoTamir.15:31:59‐PatrolmanWilliamCunninghamenterstheviewfromthenorthandassists

OfficerGarmback.15:32:53‐Witness#3andWitness#4enterthecameraviewfromthenorthwestand

walkaroundthebacksideofthegazebo.15:32:53‐OfficerCunninghamwalkstowardTamir(outofview)ontheground.

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15:33:10‐Tamir’ssisterisbeingplacedintothebackseatofdrivers’sideofunit115A,Tamir’ssisterpullsawayfromOfficerLoehmann.

15:34:05‐TheFBIAgentandCDPDetectiveDanielLentzarriveonscene.15:34:19‐TheFBIAgentgetsglovesfromOfficerGarmbackandattendstoTamir.15:35:17‐CDPOfficersKenZverinaandRicardoRomanarrive.15:37:01‐ Detective Lentz bends over in the area the magazine from the replica

firearmcametorest,asaonemanCDPunitarrives.15:38:10‐ClevelandFireDepartment(CFD)arrives.15:40:56‐CDPOfficerTomGriffinplacesaclearplasticbagoverthereplicafirearm.15:41:22‐MostoftheOfficersonscenearedrawntothesoutherndirectionorthe

rightsideofthecameraview.15:42:14‐ClevelandEmergencyMedical Services (EMS) arrives on scene,uniform

Officersbegintodeployyellowcrimescenetapeintheimmediatearea.15:42:31‐CDPSergeantJanellRutherfordhasaconversationwithOfficerLoehmann

whoisnowseatedinthefrontpassengerseatoftheonemanCDPunit.DetectiveLentzhasconversationwithTamir’ssister,whoisstillseatedinthebackseatofUnit115A.

15:43:57‐Tamirisleavingthegazeboareaonastretcher.15:46:06‐TheFBIAgentandDetectiveLentzhaveanotherconversationwithTamir’s

sister(stillinbackseatof115A.)15:49:12‐TheFBIAgentandDetectiveLentzhaveathirdconversationwithTamir’s

sister(stillinbackseatof115A.)15:51:32‐SeveralCDPOfficersonscenepointupatCamera1.15:54:11‐ Detective Lentz has another conversation with Tamir’s sister (still in

backseatof115A)16:00:00‐Surveillancevideoends.CAMERA212:27:21‐ Tamir’s sister (alone) walks from rear (west entrance) of the building

walksalongsidewalk/sideofbuildingeast.

15:33:58‐theFBIAgentandDetectiveDanielLentzarrive.

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15:34:56‐ CDP two (2) Officers (CDP Officers Ken Zverina and Ricardo Roman)markedunitarrivesandparksfacingeastonthesouthsideoftheparkinglot.

15:36:50‐AsecondCDP(CDPOfficerLouKitko)markedunitarrivedlightsactivated.

15:37:19‐ CFD arrives along with a third marked CDP unit (Sergeant JanellRutherford.)

15:41:19‐CDPUnit/SergeantJanellRutherford(fourthmarkedunit)arrivesviaWestBoulevardentranceandparksonnorthsideofparkinglot.EMSarrivessimultaneously.

15:47:12‐CFDandEMSleaveparkinglot.

15:58:46‐theFBIAgentandDetectiveDanielLentzleaveparkinglot.

16:00:00‐Surveillancevideoends.

CAMERA3Thisparticularcamerawasobstructedwithice.Thecameragraduallythawsthroughouttheday.Thereisverylittlediscerniblevideo.At15:31:10onecanseeTamir’ssisterruntowardthegazebowithOfficerCunninghamfollowing.Thiscameraalsoendsfootageat16:00:00hrs.

CAMERA4

11:04:50‐Tamir’ssister,Tamir,andWitness#2walktowardtheeastentranceoftheCudellRecreationCenteronthesidewalkinfrontofthegazebo.

12:27:46‐Tamir’ssister,alone,walksfromthewestendofthebuildingheadingeast.

13:04:38‐Tamir’ssisterentersthecameraview,tieshershoeandexitstheview.

13:05:36‐ Tamir’s sister, Witness #2, Tamir and two Unknown Male’s enter thecameraviewfromthenorthandwalkalongthesidewalkTamirhasthepelletguninhishand.

13:41:23‐Tamir’ssisterwalksonthesidewalktowardtheeastentranceofCudellRecreationCenter.

13:41:50‐TamirwalksfromthesouthonsidewalktowardtheeastentranceofCudellRecreationCenter.

13:50:00‐ Tamir enters camera view from the north, ducks downby garbage canlocatednearthegazebo.

15:02:44‐ Tamir and Unknown Male #2 enter the camera view and walk to thegazebo.

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15:05:00‐Tamir,Witness#3,Witness#4andUnknownMale#2areinthegazebountil15:08:00.

15:09:01‐Tamir,UnknownMale#2,Witness#3,andWitness#4walktowardthewest. The four aremet by R.P., and UnknownMale #3. Tamir is seenpointing the replica firearm at R.P. and Unknown Male #3 as heapproaches them.Tamirhands the replica firearm toR.P.,who in turnpoints the replica firearm in theoppositedirection.R.P. thengives thereplicafirearmbacktoTamirandthegroupdisperses.

15:11:31‐Witness#1arrivesinthegazebo.

15:12:36‐Tamirwalksonsidewalkinfrontofthegazeboalone.

15:14:38‐Tamiraloneinplaygroundarea.

15:16:00‐Tamir,replicafirearminhand,hasaconversationwithWitness#6astheywalkonthesidewalknorthbound.Witness#6continuestowalkasTamirmaintainshispositioninfrontofthegazebo.

15:23:00‐Tamirinplaygroundarea.

15:26:37‐ Witness #1 leaves the gazebo, Tamir enters the gazebo from theplayground.

15:30:02‐ Headlights appear from the south (West 99th Street off of MadisonAvenue),CDPmarkedunit115AdrivingonthegrassandsidewalkwithCDPOfficersTimothyLoehmannandFrankGarmback.

15:30:21‐CDPmarkedunit115Aparksinfront(west)ofthegazebo.

15:31:45‐Tamir’ssisterisrunningtowardthegazebo.

15:32:28‐Witness#3andWitness#4appear fromthewestandwalkaround thegazebo.

15:34:01‐theFBIAgentandCDPDetectiveDanielLentzarriveandparkfacingnorthandtheeasternmostportionoftheparkinglot.

15:35:00‐CDPmarkedunit(twomanunit)CDPOfficersZverinaandRomanarrivedandparkedfacingeastonthesouthsideoftheparkinglot.

15:36:54‐CDPmarkedunit(onemanunit)CDPOfficerLouKitkoarrivedandparkedfacingeast.

15:37:31‐CFDarrives.

15:37:16‐ CDP marked unit (one man unit) CDP Officer Tom Griffin arrived andparked directly behind first two man unit belonging to CDP OfficersZverinaandRoman.

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15:38:23‐ CDPmarked unit arrives from the samedirection and path (West 99thStreetoffMadisonAvenue)that115Ahadentered.ThisCDPmarkedunitparksbetweentheplaygroundandthegazebo.CDPOfficersChuckJuddandBrianTaylor.

15:41:32‐EMSarrivesfromtheWestBoulevardentranceandparksonthesouthsideoftheparkinglot.CDPmarkedunit(SergeantRutherford)arrivesfromtheWestBoulevardentranceandparksonthenorthsideoftheparkinglot.

15:46:16‐CFDandEMSleaveparkinglotusingthenorthexittowardWestBoulevard.


CAMERA5Thiscamera is located inthebasketballgymaspreviously indicated.Thiscamerarecordsintermittent basketball practices with varying age groups throughout the day.Tamir’s sister is captured briefly walking inside the gym but not for prolongedperiods.Theshootingtookplaceatapproximately15:30:20hrs.Itdoesnotappearthatpersonsinthegymareawareof,orreactto,theshootingoutside.Thiscameraendsfootageat16:00hrs.

CAMERA6Asstatedearlier thiscamera is located insidetheCudellRecreationCenteronthesecondfloor.ThisparticularcameradoesnotcaptureTamirorTamir’ssister.Therearetwosmallchildrenjumpingropeinthehallwayforshortperiod.Therearealsotwo(2)UnknownMale’sdepictedwalkingpastthecamera.Thiscameraendsfootageat16:00hrs.

CAMERA711:06:00‐Tamir,Tamir’ssister,andWitness#2entertheCudellRecreationCenter.

Theyappeartosignin.

12:19:54‐Tamir’ssisterenterstheviewofthecameraandwalksinthegym.

12:20:22‐Tamirentersthegym.

12:21:00‐Witness#2,Tamir,andTamir’ssisteroncamera.

12:21:53‐Witness#2,Tamir,andTamir’ssisterexitCudellRecreationCenter.

12:29:48‐Tamir’ssisterre‐enterstheCudellRecreationCenter.

12:30:10‐Tamir,Witness#2,andUnknownMale#1re‐entertheCudellRecreationCenter.

12:30:22‐Witness#2isholdingwhatappearstobeawhitecellularphone.

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12:30:30‐Tamir’ssisteringymwithWitness#2.

12:32:00‐Tamir’ssisternearfrontdeskarea.

13:03:36‐Tamir,Tamir’ssister,andWitness#2andtwounknownjuvenilesleavetheCudellRecreationCenter.

13:42:14‐Tamir’ssisterenterstheCudellRecreationCenteralone.

13:42:49‐ Tamir re‐enters the Cudell Recreation Center eating something from asmallbag.

13:44:30‐TamirandTamir’ssisterenterthegym.

13:44:57‐Tamir’ssisterexitsthegym.

13:47:16‐TamirexitstheCudellRecreationCenteralone.

13:59:00‐Tamir’ssisterandTamirmeetinthedoorwayandbothre‐enter.

14:01:01‐Tamir’ssisterinthegym.

14:05:22‐TamirexitstheCudellRecreationCenterwithseveralpeople.

14:07:50‐Tamiralongwith fourothersre‐enter theCudellRecreationCentereastentrance.

14:12:00‐TamiroutsidetheCudellRecreationCenteralone.

14:14:16‐UnknownpersonleavestotalktoTamiroutsidetheeastentrance.

14:15:02‐Tamir’ssisterleavestheCudellRecreationCenter.

14:15:02‐TamirpullsthereplicafirearmoutsideonTamir’ssisterandasmallchildenterstheCudellRecreationCentereastentrance.

14:16:40‐Tamir’ssisterre‐enterstheCudellRecreationCentereastentrance.

14:33:07‐Tamir’ssisterinthegym.

14:46:49‐Witness#6enterstheCudellRecreationCentereastentranceanddoesnotpunchacode.

14:48:34‐ Tamir in gym and then leaves the Cudell Recreation Center (east exit)alone.

14:52:38‐Tamir’s sister andTamirmeet in the doorwayboth re‐enter theCudellRecreationCentereastentrance.

14:53:02‐Tamirinthegym.

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15:00:23‐TamirexitstheCudellRecreationCentereastentrance.

15:06:00‐Tamir’ssisterinthegymandlooksouttheeastentrance.

15:08:44‐Tamir’ssisterlooksoutsidetheeastentrancedoors.

15:10:19‐Witness#3andWitness#4entertheCudellRecreationCenter.

15:11:20‐UnknownMale#2 runs toward theeastentranceandenters theCudellRecreationCenter.

15:19:53‐Tamir’ssisterlooksouttheeastentrancedoors.

15:20:16‐Tamir’ssisterreturns.

15:21:38‐Tamir’ssisteratfrontdeskcounter.

15:26:33‐MailmanenterstheCudellRecreationCenter.

15:28:50‐MailmanexitstheCudellRecreationCenter.

15:30:49‐FiveunknownmalejuvenileslookouttheeastdoorsandoneofthemalejuvenilesappearstotellCDPOfficerCunninghamwhatheobserved.

15:31:25‐Tamir’ssisterwalkstowardtheeastexitdoorsandrunstowardthegazebo.

15:31:40‐ CDP Officer Cunningham exits the Cudell Recreation Center and headstowardthegazebo.


CAMERA8

12:26:05‐Tamir’ssisterleaveswestentranceandwalksalongbuilding.

12:29:15‐UnknownMale#4exitwestexit.

12:29:29‐Tamir’ssisterexitswestentrance.

14:49:05‐Tamir’ssisterandWitness#6hug.

14:50:03‐Tamir’ssisterre‐entersthewestentrance.

15:06:58‐CudellRecreationCenteremployeeJ.O.leavesCudellRecreationCenterforlunch.

15:08:01‐R.P.andUnknownMale#3(furcoat)appearandwalksouth.

15:22:00‐Witness#3andWitness#4walkwestbound.

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15:25:20‐Witness#3andWitness#4re‐enterCudellRecreationCenterwestentrance.

15:29:08‐Witness#3andWitness#4exitwestentrance.

15:30:26‐Tamir’ssisterandUnknownMale#4(yellowjacket)andtwoothermalesrunbackinsidetheCudellRecreationCenter.

15:31:52‐Witness#3andWitness#4runsouththeneastalongthebuildingtowardthegazebo.


CAMERA912:27:21‐Tamir’ssisterappearsoncamerabrieflyandthendisappears.

15:07:26‐CudellRecreationCenteremployeeJ.O.leavesCudellRecreationCenterforlunch.

15:08:28‐R.P.andUnknownMale#3(furcoat)appearandwalkalongsidewalk.

15:32:14‐Witness#3andWitness#4appearwalkingonthesidewalkandbegintoruntowardthegazebo.

15:33:58‐theFBIAgentandDetectiveDanielLentzarriveintheparkinglotviatheWestBoulevardentrance.

15:34:54‐ CDPmarked unit arrives, Officers Ken Zverina and Ricardo Roman (nooverheadlights),twomanunit.

15:36:46‐ CDPmarked unit arrives, CDPOfficer LouKitko, 1C21 (overhead lightsactivated.)

15:37:18‐CFDarrivesfromtheWestBoulevardentrance.

15:39:10‐ CDP marked unit arrives, CDP Officer Tom Griffin (overhead lightsactivated.)

15:41:17‐EMSarrivesatthesametimeCDPmarkedunit(SergeantRutherford.)

15:43:09‐ Officers on scene draw their attention to the south to include severalOfficerswalkinthatdirection.

15:47:15‐CFDleavesCudellRecreationCenterproperty.

15:47:27‐EMSleavesproperty.

15:53:47‐CDPmarkedunitarrives,CDPOfficerBobSweaney,1B27.

15:58:48‐theFBIAgentandDetectiveLentzappeartoleaveproperty.

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CAMERA1012:27:03‐Tamir’ssisterexitsCudellRecreationCenter(west)andwalkssouthalong

building.

14:49:06‐ Tamir’s sister and Witness #6 (green jacket) appear to have a briefconversation,Tamir’ssisterandWitness#6hug,Witness#6leaves.

14:50:00‐Tamir’ssisterre‐enterswestentrancealone.

15:22:02‐Witness#3andWitness#4walkoutwestexitandcontinuetowalkwest.

15:24:57‐Witness#3andWitness#4re‐entercameraviewfromthewest.

15:29:10‐Witness#3andWitness#4exitCudellRecreationCenterwestexitwithUnknownMale#4.

15:30:13‐Tamir’ssisterappearsoncamerabriefly.

15:30:25‐Two(2)UnknownMale’sexitthewestexitandsitatpicnictable.

15:30:25‐Two(2)UnknownMale’srunbackinbuildinginahurryone(1)UnknownMaleloseshisshoe.

15:31:51‐Witness#3andWitness#4runsouthwesttowardthegazebo.


(Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department Report documenting review of Cudell Recreation CenterSurveillanceCameras,May12,2015).

g. OhioStateHighwayPatrolAccidentReconstruction The accident reconstruction report of the scene at Cudell Recreation Center wascompleted by Sergeant JohnThorne of theOhio StateHighwayPatrol. Sgt. Thorne has aMaster’sDegreeinCriminalJusticeandhasbeenacrashreconstructionsupervisorfortheOhioStateHighwayPatrolsince2010.Sgt.ThorneisadditionallycertifiedasatrafficcrashReconstructionist, and he has a certification in forensic crime/crime scene mapping.Furthermore,Sgt.ThornehastestifiednumeroustimeasanexpertwitnessincourtsacrossNortheastOhio.

Theaccidentreconstructionreportwasconductedtodeterminethevehicle’sspeedanddecelerationasitapproachedTamirRiceattheCudellRecreationCenter.Inmakingthisreport,Sgt.Thorneusedmeasurementstakenbyhimself,andLieutenantKinn(OhioStateHighwayPatrol),ofCudellPark,alongwithsurveillancevideooftheincidentonNovember22, 2014 and photos of the scene at Cudell Park on November 22, 2014. Sgt. ThorneadditionallyreferencesinhisreportmeasurementstakenofthecrimescenebyCDP.

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Sgt.ThornenotesthatthepatrolcardrivenbyOfficerGarmbackhadanAutomatedVehicleLocator(AVL)whichiscapableofrecordingthevehiclelocationandspeed.However,Sgt.Thornedidnotrelyonthisdeviceinhisanalysisasitonlyrefresheditsdataevery9‐10secondsandthespeedshownontheAVLappearedtolagbehindthevehicle’smovement.

Indeterminingthespeedofthevehicle,Sgt.Thorne’sreportemployedaslidetostopcalculation,whichisanequationthatcandeterminethespeedofthevehiclebasedonthedistance of the deceleration area and the frictional value of the surface vehicle wasdeceleratingon.BasedonvideoevidenceandmeasurementtakenatthescenebytheCDP,and measurements taken, Sgt. Thorne determined that the vehicle slid to a stop at aminimumof40.3ft.in3.5seconds,oratamaximumof73.3ft.in4.5seconds.

Thefrictionalvalueofthesurfacethevehicledeceleratedonwasdeterminedusingaformulausingthedistancethecartraveledandthetimeittookthecartotravelthatdistance.Sgt.Thornenotedinhisreportthatthegroundthevehiclecoveredwasagrassyareathatwascoveredbywetsnow.TheformulaindicatedafrictionalvalueofthesurfaceconsistentwiththetestingdonebytheOhioStateHighwayPatrolofobjectstravelingoverwetgrassandadditionallyconsistentwiththetestingdoneofobjectspassingoverwetsnowbytheInstituteofPoliceTechnologyandManagement. Theslide‐to‐stopcalculationinSgt.Thorne’sreportwasdeterminedusingboththeminimumdistancethevehiclemayhaveslidtoastop,40.3ft.,andthemaximumdistancethevehiclemayhaveslid toastop,73.3 ft.Theslide‐to‐stopcalculationshowed that thevehiclewastravelingataspeedofbetween15and22mphwhenitbeganitsdecelerationbasedontheminimumandmaximumdistancethatthevehiclemayhavetraveled.Usingahybrid calculation, which assumes amiddle point between theminimum andmaximumdistancebaseduponthevideosurveillanceevidence,thevehicledrivenbyOfficerGarmbackwas determined to be traveling approximately 19 mph as the vehicle began its finaldecelerationinslidingtoastop.

h. BCIReport BCIwas engaged to assist the CCSD to utilize their advanced knowledge of crimesceneanalyticaltechniquestothiscase.Specifically,BCIdida“360”laserscan,magnifiedthevideoatthetimeoftheshootingandutilizedacomputerprogramthatdemonstratedaviewfrominsidethepolicecar(1‐Adam‐25)as itapproachedthegazebo locatedat theCudellRecreationCenter. BCIutilizedwhatisknownasa3‐DscanoftheCudellRecreationCentercreatedfromalaserthatcoveredtherelevantareasofthepark.Thescanshowsadigital3‐Dpictureofthe area which contains markers of the evidence gathered on the scene including twocartridgecases,acellphone,amagazine,andanairsoftgun.Thelocationofthevehicleandevidentiary items are based on video surveillance taken of the Cudell Park and on themeasurementsoftheCDP.Theimagesdetailstheappropriatemeasurementsofwherethereplicafirearmwasfoundinrelationtotheconcreteedgeofthegazebo,wherethemagazinewasfoundrelativetotheconcreteedgeofthegazebo,distancefromtheedgeofthegazeboto99thStreet,thedistancefromthegazebototheentranceoftheRecreationCenter,andthedistancefromtheedgeofthegazebotoWest98thStreet.

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BCIalsomagnifiedCamera#1pertainingtothetimeoftheshootingandcreatedavideooftheviewOfficersGarmbackandLoehmannwouldhavehadastheyapproachedthegazebo.

i. Coroner’sReport Dr.ThomasP.Gilson,ChiefPathologist(Coroner),didtheautopsyofTamirRiceonNovember24,2014.Dr.Gilsonfoundthecauseofdeathtobeasinglegunshotwoundthattoretheinferiorvenacavawhichisaprimaryveinthatcontrols2/3ofbodybloodflowtothelowerpartofaperson’sbody.Healsofoundthatthedirectionofthebullettraveledfronttoback,lefttoright,anddownward.Thebulletlodgedinthepelvisapproximately26inchesbelowthetopoftheheadandoneinchrightofthemidline.

j. TraceEvidence Curtiss L. Jones is a Forensic Scientist and the Supervisor of the Trace EvidenceDepartmentattheCuyahogaCountyCoroner’sOffice.Mr.JonesinspectedandcatalogedtheclothingwornbyTamirRiceonthedayoftheincident.Mr.Jonesalsoperformedatestfiringusingthesame“Glock”modelusedbyOfficerLoehmannthatdaytodeterminethedistancefromtheguntothebullethole.Basedupontheconditionofthebullethole,foundonTamir’sjacket,Mr.Jonesdeterminedthemuzzle‐to‐targetdistancewasfivefeet,meaningthatTamirwasatleastfivefeetawayfromOfficerLoehmannwhenhedischargedtheweapon.

k. Experts TheStateofOhioengaged threeuseof forceexperts–KimberlyCrawford,LamarSims,Esq.,andKenKatsaris–aswellasaForensicVideoExaminer,GrantFredricks.Theattorneys representing the Rice family in a pending § 1983 civil suit against the City ofClevelandalsoretainedtwouseofforceExperts–JeffreyNobleandRogerClark–aswellasanaccidentreconstructionistwithaPh.D.inBiomechanicalEngineering,JesseL.Wobroch.

i. UseofForceExperts

a) KimberlyCrawford

Ms.CrawfordisanAssociateProfessoratNorthernVirginiaCommunityCollegewhowasanex‐FBIAgentthattaughtuseofforceatQuantico,Virginiafor19years.Heropinionstated:

“AccordingtotheSupremeCourt,thestandardthatmustbeusedtoevaluatealawenforcement officer’s use of deadly force is one of objective reasonableness. Thequestionisnotwhethereveryofficerwouldhavereactedthesameway.Rather,therelevantinquiryiswhetherareasonableofficer,confrontingtheexactsamescenariounder identical conditions could have concluded that deadly forcewas necessary.Basedontheproceedingdiscussion,andinlightofmytrainingandexperience,itis

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myconclusionthatOfficerLoehmann’suseofdeadlyforcefallswithintherealmofreasonablenessunderthedictatesoftheFourthAmendment.“

b) KenKatsaris

Mr.Katsarisisacertifiedlawenforcementofficerandinstructorforover50yearsandaconsultant.HisopinionstatedthattheshootingwasobjectivelyreasonablebasedonthethreattheofficersfacedatthetimetheyencounteredTamirRice.

c) LamarSimsEsq.

Mr.SimsistheSeniorChiefDeputyDistrictAttorneyoftheDenverCountyDistrictAttorney’sOffice.Mr.SimswasaDistrictAttorneyfor31yearsandteachestheuseofforcetrainingtolocalpolice.Hisopinionstated:

“IagreedtoreviewthecasefileandIhavenowcompletedthatreview.Thefactualdeterminationsmadebelowarebasedsolelyonthematerialsyouprovided.Baseduponmyreviewofthosefactsandthelegaldoctrinesdiscussedbelow,IconcludethatOfficerLoehmann'sactionswereobjectivelyreasonableas that term isdefinedbycontrollingFederalcaselaw.”

d) JeffreyNoble

Mr.NobleisaretiredDeputyChiefofPolice,withaJurisDoctorDegreeandheisalawenforcementconsultant.Hisopinionstatedthatbasedupontheofficers’recklesstactics,thatcreatedthedangertheuseofforcewasobjectivelyunreasonable.

e) RogerClark

Mr.ClarkisaformerLieutenantoftheLosAngelesCountySheriff’sDepartmentwhohasbeenapoliceconsultantfor27years.HisopinionstatedthattheshootingofTamirRicewas inconsistentwithgenerallyacceptedstandardsandthat itwasanunreasonable,andexcessive,useofforce.

ii.OtherExperts

a) Dr.JesseWobrock

Mr. Wobroch is an accident reconstructionist with a Ph.D. in BiomechanicalEngineering.Hisopinionstatedthat,basedonhisobservationsofthevideo,TamirRicehadhishandsinhispocketsatthetimeoftheshootingandwasnotreachingforhiswaist.

b) GrantFredricks

Mr.Fredricks isa formerpoliceofficerwhoisacertifiedForensicVideoExaminerthatteachesattheFBIAcademyinQuantico,Virginia.Hisopinionstated:

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“Aftercarefullyexaminingthevideoimagesandothermaterialslistedinthisreport,IhaveformedtheopinionthatatthetimeoftheshootingTamirRiceliftedhisjacketwithhislefthand,andwithhisrighthand,hereachedforhisgun.”

ThecompleteopinionsofalloftheaboveexpertscanbefoundontheCCPOwebsite.

4. StandardofReviewinPoliceUseofDeadlyForceCases.

a. RoleoftheProsecutingAttorneyandGrandJury.

Inpoliceuseofdeadlyforcecases,theprosecutorisrequiredtoinvestigatewhetheranofficer’s actionsviolated the law. Ohio lawgives the countyprosecutingattorney theauthorityto“inquireintothecommissionofcrimeswithinthecounty”andto“prosecute,onbehalfofthestate,allcomplaints,suitsandcontroversiesinwhichthestateisaparty[.]”R.C.309.08(A). “[T]hedecisionwhetherornottoprosecute,andwhatchargeto fileorbringbeforeagrandjury,generallyrestsentirelyinhisdiscretion.”Bordenkircherv.Hayes,434U.S.357,364,54L.Ed.2d604,98S.Ct.663(1978);Stateexrel.Masterv.Cleveland,75OhioSt.3d23,661N.E.2d180(1996).

A prosecutor cannot initiate a felony case in Ohio without a grand jury. Ohio’sConstitutionprovidesthatnocitizenmaybeprosecutedforafelonywithout“presentmentorindictmentofagrandjury.”OhioConstitution,ArticleI,Section10.Tothatend,Ohiolawstates that a county grand jury shall “proceed to inquire of and present all offensescommittedwithinthecounty.” R.C.2939.08. Toassist thegrand jury, “[t]heprosecutingattorneyorassistantprosecutingattorneymayatalltimesappearbeforethegrandjurytogiveinformationrelativetoamattercognizablebyit,oradviceuponalegalmatterwhenrequired.” R.C. 2939.10. Further, “[t]heprosecutingattorneymay interrogatewitnessesbeforethegrandjurywhenthegrandjuryortheprosecutingattorneyfindsitnecessary[.]”Id.

Both Ohio and federal law provide that a grand jury, in addition to issuingindictments,alsohasaninvestigativerole.TheSupremeCourtofOhiohasexplainedthattheGrandJury’spowertoinvestigate“doesnotdependonacaseorcontroversyforpowertogetevidencebut[it]caninvestigatemerelyonsuspicion,thatthelawisbeingviolated,orevenjustbecauseitwantsassurancethatitisnot.”InreCoastalStatesPetroleum,Inc.,32OhioSt.2d81,84,290N.E.2d844,847(1972),citingUnitedStatesv.MortonSaltCo.,338U.S. 632, 642‐643, 70 S.Ct. 357, 94 L.Ed. 401 (1950); see also In reOriginal Grand JuryInvestigation(Kaiser),3dDist.MercerNo.10‐02‐20,2003‐Ohio‐1670,¶9.“Thefunctionofthegrandjuryistoinquireintoallinformationthatmightpossiblybearonitsinvestigationuntilithasidentifiedanoffenseorhassatisfieditselfthatnonehasoccurred.Asanecessaryconsequenceofitsinvestigatoryfunction,thegrandjurypaintswithabroadbrush.”Id.“Agrandjury'sinvestigationisnotfullycarriedoutuntileveryavailablecluehasbeenrundownandallwitnessesexaminedineveryproperwaytofindifacrimehasbeencommitted[.]”U.S.v.Stone,429F.2d138,141(2dCir.1970).

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Thegrandjury’straditionalinvestigativerolewasmeanttosafeguardcitizensfromunwarranted charges. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that “fair and effective lawenforcementaimedatprovidingsecurityforthepersonandpropertyoftheindividualisafundamentalfunctionofgovernment,andthegrandjuryplaysanimportant,constitutionallymandated role in this process.”Branzburg v.Hayes, 408U.S. 665, 690, 92 S.Ct. 2646, 33L.Ed.2d626(1972).“Thefunctionofthegrandjuryinoursocietyiscriticaltoprotectingthecitizensofourcountry,bothfromcrimeandfromunwarrantedcriminalprosecution.”InreAugust28,2002GrandJury,151OhioApp.3d825,2003‐Ohio‐1184,786N.E.2d115,¶9(3dDist.).“Becauseitstaskistoinquireintotheexistenceofpossiblecriminalconductandtoreturn only well‐founded indictments, its investigative powers are necessarily broad.”Branzburg, 408 U.S. at 688. The grand jury “is a grand inquest, a bodywith powers ofinvestigationandinquisition,thescopeofwhoseinquiriesisnottobelimitednarrowlybyquestionsofproprietyorforecastsoftheprobableresultoftheinvestigation,orbydoubtswhetheranyparticularindividualwillbefoundproperlysubjecttoanaccusationofcrime.”Blairv.UnitedStates,250U.S.273,282,39S.Ct.468,63L.Ed.979(1919). Becausethegrandjury’sinvestigativeroleensuresafull,fair,andunbiasedreviewbyagroupofindependentcitizens,theCuyahogaCountyProsecutor’sOfficeenactedapolicythatthegrandjurymustreviewallfatalpolicedeadlyforceincidents:

ToensurepublicconfidenceintheintegrityoftheCriminalJusticeSystem,thepolicyof the County Prosecutor’sOfficewill be to present the facts of every fatal policeshootingandof allother fatalusesofdeadly forceby lawenforcementofficers inCuyahogaCountytotheGrandJuryforreview.Wearecommittedinthesecasestoconducting a thorough investigation that satisfies both the high standards of thisofficeandtheneedsoftheGrandJury.All relevant facts that are gathered by the police and, if necessary, by our owninvestigatorswillbepresentedtotheGrandJuryinitstraditionalinvestigativerole.Inaddition,duringthecourseofitsinvestigation,theCountyProsecutor’sOfficewilllistentoandconsidercredibleevidencefromanysource,includingdefenseattorneysandlawyerswhomayberepresentingthedeceased’sfamilyincivillitigationagainstthecity.At the conclusionof an investigationandGrand Jurypresentation, thedecision tochargeornotchargeultimatelyrestswiththeGrandJury.If at theconclusionof theGrand Jurypresentation, theCountyProsecutor’sOfficedoesnotbelievethere issufficientevidencetochargethepoliceofficerorofficerswith a crime or believes that the use of deadly force was justifiable by law ornecessarybyduty,theGrandJuryisinformedthatithasthefinalsay.IftheydisagreewiththeassessmentoftheCountyProsecutor’sOffice,GrandJurorscanaskforatruebill‐nobillopportunityortheycanasktohearadditionalwitnessesandevidence.2

2Policy of The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office Regarding Fatal Use of Deadly Force by LawEnforcementOfficers,availableathttp://prosecutor.cuyahogacounty.us/en‐US/use‐of‐deadly‐force‐policy.aspx(lastviewedNovember19,2015).

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b. Legal standard governing the use of deadly force by law enforcementofficers.i. Police officers may not be criminally charged in deadly force

incidentsunlesstheirconductviolatestheFourthAmendment.

TheFourthAmendmentguaranteesthat“[t]herightofthepeopletobesecureintheirpersons * * *, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated * * *.”Wheneveralawenforcementofficerrestrainsthefreedomofapersontowalkaway,heorshehasseizedthatperson.Tennesseev.Garner,471U.S.1,105S.Ct.1694,1699,85L.Ed.2d1(1985).ApprehensionbytheuseofdeadlyforceisaseizuresubjecttothereasonablenessrequirementoftheFourthAmendment.Id. Allclaimsthatlawenforcementofficershaveusedexcessiveforce—deadlyornot—inthecourseofanarrest,investigationstop,orother‘seizure’ofafreecitizenmustthereforebeanalyzedundertheFourthAmendmentandits‘reasonableness’standard.Grahamv.Connor,490U.S.386,395,109S.Ct.1865,1871,104L.Ed.2d443(1989).

Todeterminewhethera lawenforcementofficer is justified inusingdeadly force,OhiofollowstherulesetforthinGarner.Statev.White,142OhioSt.3d277,290,2015‐Ohio‐492,29N.E.3d939.Lawenforcementofficerscanonlyusedeadlyforceinmakinganarrestwherethepolicehaveprobablecausetobelievethatthesuspectposesathreatofdeathorseriousbodilyharmtothepoliceortopublic.Id.,citingGarner,471U.S.at11(referredtoas the “justification doctrine”). The Supreme Court of Ohio has explained that “Garnerrequiresthattheofficerhave‘probablecausetobelievethatthesuspectposesathreatofseriousphysicalharm’totheofficerorothers.Id.,citingGarner. TheGarnerCourt“gavetwoexamplesoftheconstitutionaluseofdeadlyforce:‘ifthesuspectthreatenstheofficerwithaweaponorthereisprobablecausetobelievethathehascommittedacrimeinvolvingtheinflictionorthreatenedinflictionofseriousphysicalharm,deadlyforcemaybeusedifnecessarytopreventescape,andif,wherefeasible,somewarninghasbeengiven.’”White,at282‐83,quotingGarner,at11‐12.

Whendeterminingwhetheralawenforcementofficerhadprobablecausetobelievethatasuspectposedathreatofseriousphysicalharmtotheofficerorothers,therequiredperspectiveisthatofthe“reasonableofficeronthescene,”standingintheofficer’sshoes,perceiving what he then perceived and acting within the limits of his knowledge orinformationasitthenexisted.Grahamv.Connor,490U.S.at395.Thereasonablenessoftheofficers’actionsmustbejudgedfromtheperspectiveof“thereasonableofficeronthesceneandnotthroughthe lensof20/20hindsight,allowingforthefact ‘thatpoliceofficersareoften forcedtomakesplit‐second judgments—incircumstancesthataretense,uncertain,andrapidlyevolving.”Id.TheSixthCircuitU.S.CourtofAppealshasusedanon‐exhaustivelistofthreefactorstoevaluatewhetheranofficer’sactionsarereasonable:“(1)theseverityofthecrimeatissue;(2)whetherthesuspectposesanimmediatethreattothesafetyoftheofficersorothers;and(3)whetherthesuspectisactivelyresistingarrestorattemptingtoevadearrestbyflight.” Sigleyv.CityofParmaHeights,437F.3d527,534(6thCir.2006).These factors inform the ultimate inquiry, which is always “whether the totality of thecircumstances”justifiedtheuseofforce.”Mullinsv.Cyranek,805F.3d760,2015U.S.App.LEXIS19485, *10 (6thCir.2015), citingLivermorev.Lubelan,476F.3d397,404 (6thCir.2007).

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What is a “reasonable” belief in light of the officer’s perceptions could also be amistakenbelief, and the fact that it turned out to bemistaken does not detract from itsreasonablenesswhenconsideredwithinthefactualcontextandcompressedtime‐frameofhisdecisiontoact.Statev.White,6thDist.No.L‐10‐1194,2013‐Ohio‐51,¶77,citingSaucierv.Katz,533U.S.194,205‐206,121S.Ct.2151,150L.Ed.2d.272(2001).“Theofficermustalsobegivensomeleewaywhenacourtanalyzesthereasonablenessofhisdecision.It isfirstlyimportanttorememberwhatisa‘reasonable’beliefcouldalsobeamistakenbelief,and that the fact it turnedout tobemistakendoesnotundermine its reasonableness asconsideredatthetimeoftheacts.”Davenportv.Causey,521F.3d544,552(6thCir.2008).“Ifanofficerreasonablyperceivedathreatofattackbyasuspect,apartfromtheactualattack,to which the officer may respond preemptively. If his perceptions were objectivelyreasonable,heincursnocriminalliabilityevenifnoweaponwasseen,orthesuspectwaslater found to be unarmed, or if what the officer mistook for a weapon was somethinginnocuous.”Whiteat¶65.(Citationsomitted).

Courtsaregenerallyhesitanttosecond‐guessthedecisionsmadebypoliceofficersinthe field. Vaughan v. Cox, 343 F.3d 1323, 1331 (11th Cir. 2003). “A court must avoidsubstitutingitspersonalnotionsofproperpoliceprocedurefortheinstantaneousdecisionmadebytheofficeratthescene.”Gammonv.Blakely,8thDist.CuyahogaNo.72175,1997OhioApp.LEXIS5424,*12.Thisconstitutionalstandardappliestothecriminalprosecutionofpoliceofficersthatallegedlyusedexcessiveforcewhenarrestingasuspect.Statev.White,supra;UnitedStatesv.Reese,2F.3d870(9thCir.1993);Statev.Mantelli,42P.3d272,131N.M.692,(N.M.App.2002);UnitedStatesv.Brugman,364F.3d613(5thCir.2004)(Borderpatrol agent sentenced to 27 months imprisonment for beating illegal immigrant afterarrest).

ii. Theprosecutor’sroleinthegrandjury.InhisdissentinU.S.v.Williams,504U.S.36,69‐70,112S.Ct.1735,1753‐1754,118

L.Ed.2d352,379,(1992),JusticeStevensexplained:Requiringtheprosecutortoferretoutandpresentallevidencethatcouldbeusedattrialtocreateareasonabledoubtastothedefendant'sguiltwouldbeinconsistentwiththepurposeofthegrandjuryproceedingandwouldplacesignificantburdensontheinvestigation.Butthatdoesnotmeanthattheprosecutormaymisleadthegrandjuryintobelievingthatthereisprobablecausetoindictbywithholdingclearevidencetothecontrary. I thusagreewith theDepartmentof Justice that“whenaprosecutorconductingagrandjuryinquiryispersonallyawareofsubstantialevidence which directly negates the guilt of a subject of the investigation, theprosecutormustpresentorotherwisedisclosesuchevidencetothegrandjurybeforeseeking an indictment against such a person.” U.S. Dept. of Justice, United StatesAttorneys'ManualP9‐11.233,p.88(1988).

(Emphasisadded).TheOhioRulesofProfessionalConductofferguidancetoprosecutorsastowhensuch

evidencemustbepresentedtoagrandjury.Theystatethat“[t]heprosecutorinacriminalcaseshallnot***pursueorprosecuteachargethattheprosecutorknowsisnotsupported

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byprobablecause.”Prof.Cond.R.3.8(a)(emphasisinoriginal).Likewise,Prof.Cond.R.3.3(d)statesthat“[i]nanexparteproceeding,alawyershallinformthetribunalofallmaterialfactsknowntothelawyerthatwillenablethetribunaltomakeaninformeddecision,whetherornotthefactsareadverse.”(Emphasisinoriginal).3Whenevertheprosecutorisproceedingexparte,asinagrandjuryhearing,theethicsrulesrequirethatheorsheshouldofferthetribunal“allmaterialfacts”whetherornotadverse. RonaldD.Rotunda,LegalEthicsTheLawyer'sDeskbookonProfessionalResponsibility§29‐2.2(ABA2000)(citingABAModelRuleofProfessionalConduct3.8(d)).Itisthereforeincumbentuponaprosecutorpresentingacaseinvolvingalawenforcementofficer’sfataluseofdeadlyforcetoagrandjurytoexplainthelegaldoctrineofjustificationandpresentallofthefactsthatcouldnegateprobablecauseinsuchacase.

WithoutaclearlegalauthorityregardingtheburdenofproofonFourthAmendmentcompliance, policy must ultimately decide who determines whether a law enforcementofficer’sfataluseofdeadlyforceisconstitutionallyjustified.Atthepre‐indictmentstage,thepolicyinallfataluseofdeadlyforcecasesrequiresthatdecisionbeleftinthehandsofthegrandjury.Ifthegrandjurydeterminestheofficer’sactionsviolatedtheFourthAmendment,itwillthenconsiderwhatcriminalchargesshouldbebroughtagainsttheofficer.

IftheGrandJurydidnotfirstreviewtheissueofjustification,theresultwouldbeacriminalindictmentagainsteverylawenforcementofficerwhofatallyapplieddeadlyforcein the lineof duty, regardless of the facts. Since every fatal useofdeadly force incidentnecessarilyqualifiesasahomicide,areviewingandchargingprocessthatdidnotaddresswhetheranofficer’sactionswerejustifiedwouldautomaticallyresultinacriminaltrialforeveryofficerineverycase.Suchasystemwouldbeunworkableandunfair.

iii. UndertheFourthAmendment,thetacticsusedbytheofficerspriorto

the use of deadly force cannot be the basis for finding the use ofdeadlyforceitselfunreasonable.

Theplaintiffs’attorneysrepresentingtheRicefamilyhaveprovidedtheprosecutionwithreportsfromtwopoliceprocedureexpertswhohavearguedthatitisappropriatetojudgetheofficerstacticsleadinguptotheshooting.Theseexpertsbothrelyona2008SixthCircuitcase,Kirbyv.Duva,530F.3d475,482(6thCir.2008),inwhichthecourtwrotethat“[w]hereapoliceofficerunreasonablyplaceshimselfinharm’sway,hisuseofdeadlyforcemaybedeemedexcessive.”Kirbyinvolvedpoliceofficerswhoshotanunarmeddriverwhowas attempting to flee. TheKirby Court explained prior to the incident, the decedent’svehicle“wasmovingslowlyandinanon‐aggressivemanner,couldnothavehitanyoftheofficers, andwasstationaryat the timeof theshooting. Consequently, reasonablepoliceofficers in defendants' positionswould not have believed that Kirby ‘pose[d] a threat ofseriousphysicalharm,eithertotheofficer[s]ortoothers.’”Id.,quotingGarner,471U.S.at1.

ThisinterpretationofKirbyhasnot,however,beenadoptedbytheSixthCircuit indeadlyforcecaseswherepoliceofficersbelievedasuspecthadafirearm.InanotherSixth

3TherelevantlanguageinOhioRulesofProfessionalConduct3.3(d)and3.8(a)andABAModelRulesofProfessionalConduct3.3(d)and3.8(a)substantiallymirroroneanother.

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Circuitdeadlyforcecaseinvolvingasuspectwithafirearm,thecourtrejectedaclaimthattheofficersrecklesslycreatedthecircumstancesthatledtothedeadlyconfrontation:

Livermorealsoassertsthat[thepoliceofficer]***intentionallyorrecklesslycreatedthecircumstancesleadingtoRohm'sdeath.***TheproperapproachunderSixthCircuitprecedentistoviewexcessiveforceclaimsinsegments.Gaddisv.RedfordTwp.,364F.3d763,772(6thCir.2004);Dickersonv.McClellan,101F.3d1151,1161(6thCir.1996).Thatis,thecourtshouldfirstidentifythe“seizure”atissuehereandthenexamine‘whethertheforceusedtoeffectthatseizure was reasonable in the totality of the circumstances, not whether it wasreasonableforthepolicetocreatethecircumstances.’Dickerson,101F.3dat1161(quotingCarterv.Buscher,973F.2d1328,1332(7thCir.1992)).TheDickersoncourtreasoned:

The time‐frame is a crucial aspect of excessive force cases. Other thanrandomattacks,allsuchcasesbeginwiththedecisionofapoliceofficertodosomething,tohelp,toarrest,toinquire.Iftheofficerhaddecidedtodonothing,thennoforcewouldhavebeenused.Inthissense,thepoliceofficeralwayscausesthetrouble.Butitistroublewhichthepoliceofficerisswornto cause, which society pays him to cause and which, if kept withinconstitutionallimits,societypraisestheofficerforcausing.

Id.(quotingPlakasv.Drinski,19F.3d1143,1150(7thCir.1994));seealsoid.at1161‐62 (citing with approval Drewitt v. Pratt, 999 F.2d 774, 778‐80 (4th Cir. 1993)(rejectingaclaimthatanofficerwhoresortstodeadlyforceinself‐defenseviolatestheFourthAmendmentifheunreasonablyprovokestheshootingbyfailingtoidentifyhimselfasapoliceofficer));Id.at1162(citingwithapprovalColev.Bone,993F.2d1328,1333(8thCir.1993)(scrutinizing“onlytheseizureitself,nottheeventsleadingtotheseizure,forreasonablenessundertheFourthAmendment”becausethe“FourthAmendment prohibits unreasonable seizures, not unreasonable or ill‐advisedconductingeneral.”)).

***Dickerson instructsus todisregard these events and to focuson the “split‐secondjudgments”madeimmediatelybeforetheofficerusedallegedlyexcessiveforce.SeeDickerson,101F.3dat1162(citingGreenidgev.Ruffin,927F.2d789,792(4thCir.1991)andSherrodv.Berry,856F.2d802,805‐06(7thCir.1988)(enbanc)).

Livermore v. Lubelan, 476 F.3d 397, 406‐407 (6th Cir.2007) (emphasis added). TheLivermorecourt thenheld that “[u]nderDickerson, theprecedingdecisionsmadeby [thepolice officer] are immaterial and not a sufficient basis for a claim under the FourthAmendment.”Id.

The suggestion that it is appropriate to analyze the tactics leading to a deadlyconfrontationcontradictsclearly‐establishedSixthCircuitprecedentconcerningwhetheritisappropriatetoscrutinizethepolicetacticsthatledtoadeadlyforceincident. AcarefulreadingofKirby,MullinsandLivermoredemonstrates that that theactionsof theofficersduring the events leading up to the deadly force encounter fall outside of the FourthAmendment analysis. AndwhileKirbydoes stand for theproposition that unreasonable

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conductduringtheseizureitselfmayresultinliabilityfortheofficers,thenecessaryinquiryfocusesonthesplit‐secondjudgmentsmadeimmediatelybeforethedeadlyforceincident.Livermore,at407.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently rejected this argumentwhen it explained that apersonallegingthatanofficerusedexcessiveforce“cannot‘establishaFourthAmendmentviolationbasedmerelyonbadtacticsthatresultinadeadlyconfrontationthatcouldhavebeenavoided.’”City&Cnty.ofSanFranciscov.Sheehan,135S.Ct.1765,1777(2015),quotingBillingtonv.Smith,292F.3d1177,1190(9thCir.2002).“Courtsmustnotjudgeofficerswith‘the20/20visionofhindsight.’”Sheehan,135S.Ct.at1777,quotingGraham,490U.S.,at396.

Sheehan involved police officers responding to a group home where a mentallydisabledwomanwasbehavingerraticallyandthreateningtokillhersocialworker.Whentheofficersenteredherroom,thewomanlungedatthemwithaknife.Theofficersretreatedandclosedthedoor,thenre‐enteredtheroom.Thewomanagainlungedattheofficers,whounsuccessfully pepper sprayed and then shot the woman several times. The womansurvivedandsued theofficers, claiming that theofficersuseofdeadly forceviolatedherFourthAmendmentrightsandfailedaccommodateherdisabilityundertheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct.Id.at1769‐1772.TheCourtdeclinedtodecidewhethertheofficer’sspecificfailure to accommodate the woman’s disability under the ADA violated the FourthAmendment,andinsteadheldthattheofficersweregenerallyentitledtoqualifiedimmunityunder42U.S.C.§1983.Id.at1778.

OneoftheRicefamilyplaintiffs’expertsattemptstoevadeSheehan’sprohibitiononreviewingtacticsbyclaimingthat“thatportionofthedecision***wasnotbindingdicta.”4(NobleReportat7,¶27,fn13,citingSheehan,135S.Ct.at1777).Theexpertcitestopage1777oftheSheehanopiniontosupporthisdismissaloftheSupremeCourt’sprohibitiononreviewing officer’s tactics. A review of the entire passage from Sheehan, however,demonstrates that the tactics language is central to the Court’s holding that the officersshouldreceivequalifiedimmunityfornotviolatinganyoftheplaintiff’sclearlyestablishedFourthAmendmentrights:

Under Ninth Circuit law, an entry that otherwise complies with the FourthAmendmentisnotrenderedunreasonablebecauseitprovokesaviolentreaction.Seeid., at 1189‐1190. Under this rule, qualified immunity necessarily applies herebecause,asexplainedabove,competentofficerscouldhavebelievedthatthesecondentry was justified under both continuous search and exigent circumstancerationales. Indeed, even ifReynolds andHoldermisjudged the situation,Sheehancannot“establishaFourthAmendmentviolationbasedmerelyonbadtacticsthatresultinadeadlyconfrontationthatcouldhavebeenavoided.”Id.,at1190.Courtsmustnot judgeofficerswith “the20/20visionofhindsight.’” Ibid. (quotingGraham,490U.S.,at396,109S.Ct.1865,104L.Ed.2d443). WhenGraham,Deorle, andAlexander areviewedtogether, thecentralerror in theNinthCircuit’sreasoningisapparent.Thepanelmajorityconcludedthatthesethree

4“'Dicta'isdefinedas'expressionsincourt'sopinionswhichgobeyondthefactsbeforecourtandthereforeare***notbindinginsubsequentcasesaslegalprecedent.'“WestfieldIns.Co.v.Galatis,100OhioSt.3d216,2003Ohio5849,P85,797N.E.2d1256,(Sweeney,J.,dissenting)quotingBlack'sLawDictionary(6thed.1990).

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cases “would have placed any reasonable, competent officer on notice that it isunreasonabletoforciblyenterthehomeofanarmed,mentallyillsuspectwhohadbeenactingirrationallyandhadthreatenedanyonewhoenteredwhentherewasnoobjectiveneedforimmediateentry.”743F.3d,at1229.Butevenassumingthatistrue, no precedent clearly established that there was not “an objective need forimmediateentry”here.Nomatterhowcarefully a reasonableofficer readGraham,Deorle, and Alexander beforehand, that officer could not know that reopeningSheehan’s door to prevent her from escaping or gathering more weapons wouldviolatetheNinthCircuit’stest,evenifallthedisputedfactsareviewedinrespondent’sfavor.Withoutthat“fairnotice,”anofficerisentitledtoqualifiedimmunity.See,e.g.,Plumhoff,572U.S.,at___,134S.Ct.2012,188L.Ed.2d1056,1069. NordoesitmatterforpurposesofqualifiedimmunitythatSheehan’sexpert,Reiter,testified that the officers did not follow their training. According to Reiter, SanFrancisco trains its officers when dealing with the mentally ill to “ensure thatsufficientresourcesarebroughttothescene,”“containthesubject”and“respectthesuspect’s“comfortzone,”“usetimetotheiradvantage,”and“employnon‐threateningverbal communication and open‐ended questions to facilitate the subject’sparticipation incommunication.”Brief forRespondent7.Likewise,SanFrancisco’spolicy is“‘tousehostagenegotiators’”whendealingwith“‘asuspect[who]resistsarrestbybarricadinghimself.’” Id., at8 (quotingSanFranciscoPoliceDepartmentGeneral Order 8.02, §II(B) (Aug. 3, 1994), online at http://www.sf‐police.org (asvisitedMay14,2015,andavailableinClerkofCourt’scasefile)).Even if an officer acts contrary to her training, however, (and here, given thegeneralityofthattraining,itisnotatallclearthatReynoldsandHolderdidso),thatdoesnot itselfnegatequalified immunitywhere itwouldotherwisebewarranted.Rather,solongas“areasonableofficercouldhavebelievedthathisconductwasjustified,”aplaintiffcannot“avoi[d]summary judgmentbysimplyproducinganexpert’sreportthatanofficer’sconductleadinguptoadeadlyconfrontationwas imprudent, inappropriate,orevenreckless.”Billington, supra, at1189.Cf.Saucierv.Katz,533U.S.194,216,n.6,121S.Ct.2151,150L.Ed.2d272(2001)(Ginsburg,J.,concurringinjudgment)(“‘[I]nclosecases,ajurydoesnotautomaticallyget to second‐guess these life and death decisions, even though a plaintiff has anexpert and a plausible claim that the situation could better have been handleddifferently’”(quotingRoyv.InhabitantsofLewiston,42F.3d691,695(CA11994))).Considering the specific situation confronting Reynolds and Holder, they hadsufficientreasontobelievethattheirconductwasjustified.

Sheehan,135S.Ct.at1776‐1778(emphasisadded).Perhapsmoreimportantthataprohibitiononreviewingtactics,Sheehanalsomakes

clearthatinauseofdeadlyforcecase,aFourthAmendmentviolationcannotbebasedsolelyupon“anexpert’sreportthatanofficer’sconductleadinguptoadeadlyconfrontationwasimprudent, inappropriate, or even reckless.” Id. Yet that is exactly what the plaintiffs’experts offer when they claim that these officers “engaged in reckless tactical decisionmaking that created the danger, thus the use of deadly force was excessive, objectivelyunreasonableandinconsistentwithgenerallyacceptedpolicepractices”(NobleReport,p.5,¶ 19) whose actions were “reckless, unreasonable, provocative, and dangerous” (ClarkSupplementalReport,p.2).Giventhedisagreementbetweenthepoliceprocedureexperts

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whoreviewedthiscase(Katsaris,Sims,Crawford,Noble,andClark),thiscaseseemstofallsquarelyunderSheehan’sadmonitionthat“ajurydoesnotautomaticallygettosecond‐guesstheselifeanddeathdecisions,eventhoughaplaintiffhasanexpertandaplausibleclaimthatthesituationcouldbetterhavebeenhandleddifferently.”Id.

5. Analysis

a. OfficersLoehmannandGarmbackweredispatchedtohandleaCode‐1callinvolvingamanwithagunthreateningpeopleatCudellRecreationCenter.

On November 22, 2014, at approximately 3:24 p.m., Officers Loehmann and

GarmbackreceivedtheDispatchcallforofficerstorespondtoaCode‐1incidentinvolvingamanwithagunatCudellRecreationCenter.WithintheClevelandPolicedispatchsystem,aCode‐1wasthehighestprioritycallanddesignatedtheincidentasasignificantpublicrisk.Theofficerswerenotified(1)thatanamedindividualhadcalled911,(2)thecallerreportedthatablackmalesittingintheswingkept“pullingagunoutofhispantsandpointingitatpeople,”(3)themalewiththegunwas‘wearingacamouflagehat,agrayjacketwithblacksleeves.”Becausethe911call‐takerhadnottransmittedanyinformationtotheDispatcherabout the suspect possibly being a juvenile, or the gun possibly being a fake, OfficersLoehmannandGarmbackonlyknewthatamaninacamouflagehatandagrayjacketwithblacksleeveswassittingattheCudellswingspullingagunoutofhispantsandpointingitpeople. When Officers Loehmann and Garmback saw Tamir at the Gazebo as theyapproachedCudellRecreationCenter,hisappearancematchedthedescriptionprovidedbytheDispatchers.

AlthoughTamirwasonly12yearsold,alloftheofficerswhosawhimonNovember22, 2014 mistook him as an older male. The Medical Examiner’s report lists Tamir asweighing195poundsatthetimeofautopsy.TheclearestindicationoftheOfficers’mistakenbelief thatTamirwasmucholder comeswhenOfficerGarmback radioedDispatch foranambulancenearly40secondsaftertheshooting,describinghimasa“blackmale,maybe20[yearsold].” TheFBISpecialAgentwhotreatedTamiratthescenewasalsosurprisedtolearnthatTamirwasonly12,asweretheotherofficerswhosawhimonNovember22,2014.

b. OfficerGarmback’s decision to use theWest 99th Street approach toquicklyconfrontwhathehadbeeninformedwasanarmedsuspectneartheRecreationCenterwasreasonable.

OnNovember22,2015,OfficerLoehmannwasatraineeofficerassignedtoOfficer

Garmback, whose responsibility was to supervise and train Loehmann. Loehmann andGarmbackwereatwo‐manunit,andGarmbackdrovethevehiclebothmenusedtopatrol.Astheseniorofficer,GarmbackwasresponsibleforboththedecisiontotaketheWest99thStreetapproachinrespondingtotheCode‐1callatCudell,aswellasthetacticsusedbytheofficerstoconfrontthesuspecttheybelievedwaspullingagunoutandpointingitatpeopleattherecreationcenter.

TheSixthCircuithassetdownnon‐exhaustivelistofthreefactorstoevaluatewhetheranofficer’sactionsarereasonable:“(1)theseverityofthecrimeatissue;(2)whetherthe

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suspectposesanimmediatethreattothesafetyoftheofficersorothers;and(3)whetherthesuspectisactivelyresistingarrestorattemptingtoevadearrestbyflight.”Sigleyv.CityofParma Heights, 437 F.3d 527, 534 (6th Cir.2006). When analyzed according to theinformationthatOfficersLoehmannandGarmbackhadatthetimeoftheincident,boththefirstandsecondfactorsweighheavilyinfavoroftheofficers.

i. Asuspectpointingagunatpeopleatarecreationcenterposesaseverethreattothesafetyofofficersandthepublic.

Accordingtotheinformationknowntotheofficersatthetime,thesuspectinthiscase

wasbelievedtobeengaginginextremelyseriouscriminalbehavior:pointingagunatpeopleat a recreation center. InMullins v. Cyranek, supra, the Sixth Circuit examined anothersuspect’sdecisiontopulloutaguninapublicplace,andexplainedtheseriousnessoftheincident:

Turningtothereasonablenessfactors,wefindthattheseverity‐of‐the‐crimeinquiryweighsinfavorofCyranek.Wemeasurethereasonablenessoftheuseofdeadlyforceataparticulartimebasedonan“objectiveassessmentofthedangerasuspectposesatthatmoment.”Bouggessv.Mattingly,482F.3d886,889(6thCir.2007)(emphasisadded).Thus,inanalyzingthereasonablenessofCyranek'suseofforce,wemustlookat Mullins's behavior immediately prior to the moment he was shot. AlthoughCyranekadmitsthat,attheoutset,hehadprobablecausetobelieveonlythatMullinshadaweapon—afirstdegreemisdemeanorifpossessedwithoutapermit,seeOhioRev.Code§2923.12—MullinsremovalofahandguninCyranek'spresencewithoutCyranek'spermissionconstitutedamuchmoreseriousoffense.See,e.g.,OhioRev.Code § 2923.12(B)(3), (F)(5) (making it a fifth degree felony for someonewith aconcealedhandgunlicensetoremovetheirfirearmwithoutpermissionduringalawenforcementstop).ThedistrictcourtnotedthatMullins'actionsmayalsofallwithinOhio's felonious assault statute. Mullins, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 98736, 2014 WL3573565,at*11n.17(citingOhio.Rev.Code§2903.11).

Mullinsv.Cyranek,2015U.S.App.LEXIS19485,*11,805F.3d760(6thCir.2015). In this case,OfficersLoehmannandGarmbackhadbeengiven information fromacitizen‐callerwhogavebothhisnameandhistelephonenumber,whichisgenerallythemostreliableformofinformationanofficercanreceivefromaninformant.SeeLewisR.Katz,OhioArrest,SearchandSeizure,2015Ed., § 2:22, p. 93 (“[r]eliable information obtained fromcredible informants suffices to establishprobable cause. * * *A reportof a crimebyanidentifiedvictimoradisinterested,identifiedwitnessmaybetakenatfacevalueandactedupon without further checking the veracity of the source of information”). OfficersLoehmannandGarmbackthereforehadprobablecause,basedontheinformationprovidedbyDispatch, that the suspect at Cudell had violatedOhio’s felonious assault statute, R.C.2903.11,bytakingagunoutandpointingitatpeople. The security video5 evidencedemonstratesnumerous instances corroborating the911caller’sconcernaboutamanpointingagunatpeopleattheRecreationCenter:

5TheStatehiredForensicVideoSolutions,acompanylocatedinSpokaneWashington,toperformforensic video analysis of the Cudell Recreation Center Security Video. Grant Fredericks, the

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(GrantFredericks’Reportatp.16).

company’s analyst, prepared the magnified camera views of the incident cited in this report.Fredericksistheonlyforensicvideoanalysttohaveprovidedareportinthiscase.FrederickshasservedasaTeamLeader for theLawEnforcement&ForensicServicesVideoAssociation(LEVA)VideoAnalysisCertificationProgram,aTeamLederforLEVA’sCurriculumDevelopmentCommittee,hasservedforthepast12yearsasaninstructorofForensicVideoAnalysisandDigitalMultimediaEvidenceProcessingfortheFBINationalAcademyinQuantico,VA.AcopyofFredericks’completecredentialsiscontainedwithinhisreport,availableontheProsecutor’sOfficewebsite.

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(Slide496,Video4,Timestamp15:09:01).


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(Slide689,Video5,Timestamp15:17:42). Just threeminutes before Officers Loehmann and Garmback arrived, the securityvideorecordedTamirundertheGazeboattimestamp15:27:14,againpullingoutthereplicafirearmandpointingit:

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ItisclearfromtheforegoingevidencethatduringthehoursandminutesbeforehiscontactwithOfficerLoehmann,Tamirhadbeenseenpullingthereplicafirearminandoutofhiswaist. Seeingthiscausedthe911callersuchconcernthathetoldthe911call takerthatTamirwas“scaringtheshit”outofhim.

ii. The incident conforms to the Cleveland Police Department ActiveShooterpolicy.

Sincethe1999mass‐shootingincidentatColumbineHighSchoolinColorado,police

departmentsthroughouttheUnitedStateshavegenerallyre‐assessedastrategythatcalledfor containment and reliance on specialized SWAT teams to handle gunmen and publicthreats. See generally, Responding to An Active Shooter, available athttp://www.cbsnews.com/news/responding‐to‐an‐active‐shooter‐60‐minutes‐anderson‐cooper/(lastviewedDecember23,2015). Instead,policedepartmentshaveshiftedfromthecontain‐and‐wait‐for‐backupstrategytowardsastrategythatcallsforthefirstofficersrespondingtoascenetoquicklyengageandattempttoneutralizeactiveshooters.Id.ThisnewapproachisintendedtolessenthelossoflifecausedbyactiveshooterswhilewaitingforSWATteamsandbackuptoarrive. Consistentwiththisgeneraltrend,theClevelandPoliceDepartmentenactedanactiveshooter policy “[t]o empower the patrol officer or first responder to confront an activeshooterwhenanydelayedresponseorafailuretoactconstitutesagreaterriskthanwaitingforaspecializedresponse.”(ClevelandPoliceDepartmentActiveShooterPolicy,p.1).TheDepartment’sActiveShooterpolicy,whichwentintoeffectonOctober18,2011,definesanactiveshooterscenario:

Thesuspect'sactivityanduseofafirearm(oranyotherdeadlyinstrument,device,machine,dangerousordnance,ordeadlyhazard)iscausingorattemptingtocauseimmediatedeathand/orseriousphysicalharminawellpopulatedarea(targetrichenvironment),suchasaschool,church,business,oranyotherpublicplace.Theactivityiscontinuingandthereisanimmediateandongoingthreatofdeathorseriousphysicalharmtopotentialvictims.

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(ClevelandPoliceDepartmentActiveShooterPolicyatpp.1‐2,emphasisadded).Thepolicystatesinrelevantpart:

Inordertopreventdeathorseriousharmtoinnocentpersons,officersrespondingtoanactiveshooter incidentshallhavetheauthoritytoandshallattempttomake immediate contact with and stop the active shooter. Secondarily,respondingofficersshalldenytheactiveshooteraccesstoadditionalvictimsandshallrescueinjured/potentialvictims.OfficersshallrelyontheirRapidActionImmediateDeployment(RAID)trainingtoquicklyandefficientlymountanimmediateresponsepriortotheavailabilityofatacticalunit.Inactivesituations,delayedresponsecanresultinadditionallossoflifeorseriousphysicalharm.

(ClevelandPoliceDepartmentActiveShooterPolicyatp.1,emphasisadded). Applyingthepolicytothissituation,OfficerGarmbackprovidedastatementtotheSheriff’sDepartmentinwhichheexplainedthatwhenheapproachedthesuspectfromW.99thStreet,“[p]artof[his]intentions[were]tokeephimawayfromenteringtheRecreationCenterBuilding.”(GarmbackStatementatp.1,¶7).Garmbackhadreasonablegroundstobelievehewasfacingapotentialactiveshooter.BasedupontheinformationDispatchhadprovidedtotheofficers,theyhadreasontobelievethatasuspectwhokeptpullingagunoutandpointingatpeoplewasattempting tocausedeathand/orseriousphysicalharmatatarget rich environment, Cudell RecreationCenter. Readwithin a policy that authorizedofficerstopreventdeathorseriousharmtoinnocentpersonsbymakingimmediatecontactwithandstoppinganactiveshooter,Garmback’sactions–accordingtotheinformationhehadatthetime–fitwithinthestatedpolicy. Contrary to what some have claimed, there were numerous people at CudellRecreation Center at the time of the incident. At the precise moment of the shooting,approximately20peopleweregatheredintheCudellgymnasium,whoseentrance is200feetawayfromthegazebo.ThefollowingimagewastakenbytheCudellRecreationCentersecurityvideosystemat15:30:22:

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At15:30:32, the recreationcenter’s securityvideosystemrecorded fourpeople standingoutsideofthemainentrance:

Duringthetenminutespriortotheincident,numerouspeoplecouldbeseenwalkingpasttheRecreationCenter’ssecuritycameras.Forexample:

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AsanexperiencedFirstDistrictofficer,Garmbackwouldhaveknownthatduringbusinesshours,theRecreationCenterwouldbecrowdedwithchildrenandadults.Itwasthereforereasonable forGarmback tobelieve that an armed suspectwas easily capable of gainingaccesstotheRecreationcenterandthreateninglives.

iii. OfficerGarmback approached the incident using a route commonlytakenbyFirstDistrictOfficers.

Giventhisbackdrop,Garback’schosenroutetoconfrontthesuspectbymeansofthe

West99thStreetroutewaslikewiseareasonablechoice.Garmback’sstatementindicatesthatheknewthattheswingsetarea–thedispatchedlocationofthearmedsuspect–couldbe accessed easily from the West 99th Street route. (Garmback Statement, p. 1, ¶ 4).Garmbackalsoknewthattheswingsetareawouldbecutofffromaparkinglotapproachbecauseofautomobilebarriers.Id. CriticsofOfficerGarmback’sWest99thStreetrouteandapproachhaveaccusedhimofrecklessnessbecauseitledhimtodrivedirectlyintoapointofcontactwithTamir,leavingOfficerLoehmann inanexposedposition thatmayhave contributed tohisuseofdeadlyforce. The evidence, however, demonstrates that after he saw Tamir at the Gazebo,Garmbackintendedtostopmuchearlierthanhedid,andthathiscarslidduetotheslipperysurfaceconditions. TheOhioStateHighwayPatrolAccidentReconstructionReportnotes“[t]herewassomesnowonthegrassatthetimeofthevideo,especiallytowardsthefinalrestarea,butthepre‐approachwasprimarilywetgrasswithalayeroffallentreeleaves.”(OhioStateHighwayPatrolReportatp.39).TheStateHighwayPatrolReportindicatesthatOfficerGarmbackappliedhisbrakesasignificantdistancebeforehiscontactwithTamir:

Afterplottingthevehicle,Iaddedtwoparallellines28’4”southofthevehicle’srearbumper.Iaddedinthevehicle’smeasuredlengthandobtainedadistanceof40.8ft. (40’9.6”)whichwas consistentwith detective Sandoval’smeasurements. In hisnarrative,DetectiveSandovalindicatedthiswashisobservedlengthoftheskidmarksleadingtofinalrestofCar#115A.

The scenephotography,while limited, appeared to showdifferent. Severalimages clearly show at least the left tire mark extending south to the concretesidewalk, adding approximately 11.3 ft. in additional length to the tire marks.Moreover,thetiremarksarevisibleontheoppositesideofthesidewalkneartheareaofimpactwiththeplayarea,approximately32.4ft.southofthemeasuredskidmarks.

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While the tire marks are visible beyond this area, the video shows evidence ofsteeringinputpriortoimpactwiththeplaygroundcurb.Visiblesteeringinputmakesthepossibilityofevasivebrakingpriortoimpactwiththecurbunlikely,evenwithanti‐lockbrakesactivated.

BasedupontheobservationsofDetectiveSandoval,evidenceobtainedfromthesurveillancevideoandscenephotography,Car#115Adeceleratedtoastopoveradistancebetween40.8ft.and73.3ft.

(OhioStateHighwayPatrolReportatp.39).Thereportcalculatedtheminimumslidetostopbrakingtimeof3.5seconds(fora40.8footslide),amaximumslidetostopbrakingtimeof4.5seconds(fora73.3footslide),andanaverageslidetostopbrakingtimeof4seconds(fora56.9footslide).(OhioStateHighwayPatrolReportatp.40).ItisthereforeclearthatwhenOfficer Garmback saw Tamir begin walking towards the officers’ route, he immediatelyappliedthebrakes,intendingtostopwellshortoftheGazebo.

c. Credible evidence firmly corroborates Officers Loehmann andGarmback’sstatementsthattheysawthesuspectwithagun.

Officer Loehmann and Officer Garmback both gave the Sheriff’s investigators

statements in which they described having seen the suspect in possession of a gun.Loehmannstated:

Aswewereevenwiththeswingset,weobservedamalematchingthedescriptiongivenbytheradioseatedundertheGazebo.Themalewaswearingacamouflagehatandgreyjacketwithblacksleeves.***Isawthesuspect.***IsawthesuspectpickupanobjectandstickitdownintohiswaistbandandhestoodupandwalkedtowardstheRecreationCenter.***Thesuspectliftedhisshirtreacheddownintohiswaistband.***Thesuspecthadagun...***Iobservedthesuspectpullingthegunoutofthewaistbandwithhiselbowcomingup.***Withhishandspullingthegunoutandhiselbowcomingup,Iknewitwasagunanditwascomingout.Isawtheweaponinhishandscomingoutofhiswaistband...

(LoehmannStatementatpp.1‐2).Likewise,OfficerGarmbackstated:

IfirstsawthegunthatthemalehadagunaboutthetimePtl.Loehmannexitedthecruiser.Themalewaspullingitfromtherightfrontareaofhiswaistband.Ithoughtthegunwasreal.***Isawthegunlooseontheground,afewfeetfromthemaleafterhewasshot.Imoveditfurtherawayfromhim.

(GarmbackStatementatpp.1‐2). Informationgatheredduringtheinvestigationdemonstratesthat fromthevantagepointLoehmannwouldhavehadashetraversedtheswingsetarea,itispossibletohave

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seen the suspect in the manner that Loehmann described. BCI’s 360∘ recreation of theincidentinApril2015producedthefollowingvantagepointoftheGazeboasseenfromtheareaadjacenttheswingsets:

i. Forensicvideoanalysisconfirmstheofficers’statements. Theofficersarestatementsarelikewisecorroboratedbythesecurityvideocamera’sdepictionoftheshooting. GrantFredericksassembledslidescontainingeachframefromCudellRecreationCenterSecurityCameras1and4,alongwithtimestampdatarecordedbytheDVR.AccordingtoFredericks,Tamirstoodupandbeganwalking10secondsbeforethepolice vehicle stopped at the Gazebo. The following slide, numbered 75 in Fredericks’sequence,showsamagnificationofCamera1,andunmagnifiedviewsofCameras1and4.AsseeninSlide75,Camera4showsthattheheadlightsofLoehmannandGarmback’scruisercouldbeseenapproachingtheswingsetareaasTamirstoodup:

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Inhisreport,Fredericksdescribeswhathappenednext:

Slides118to121showRicemovingforwardtowardthepolicevehicle.Hishandsarestill together at the centerof hisbody.Hishandsarenot in theareaofhis jacketpockets.AtSlide122,Rice’srighthandhasmoveddownward,towardhiswaist.Hislefthandhasalsomoveddownward.Slide123showsthatRice’srightshoulderhasmovedupwardandthathisrightarmisslightlybent.Theendofhisdarksleeveisathiswaistarea.Hislefthandismovingtowardthecenterofhiswaist.Also at Slide 123, the video shows that the door of the police vehicle is partiallyopened.Thepolicevehiclehasnotyetstoppedmoving.Slide124showsRice’srightshoulderandarmrisingupward.Hisrighthandisabovetheareaofhiswaist.Rice’slefthandisatthecenterofhisstomacharea,slightlyabovehiswaist.Hisgreyjacketisnotatthewaistline;itishigherthanthewaist.Ricehasliftedthejacketwithhislefthand,asheremovesthegunwithhisrighthand.ThisisthesameactivitythatisdepictedineachofthepreviousobservationsshowingRicemanipulatingtheguninandoutofthewaistbandareaofhispants.ThereisnovisualevidenceatSlide124supportingthattheshothadbeenfiredpriortothispointintime,oratthispointintime.Thepurportedtimestampshowsthisisthefirstimageat15:30:23.

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Slide 125, which represents the second image recorded at 15:30:23, shows Ricereactingtotheshotbeingfired. Ricebeginstofalltotheground.Theshotisfiredslightlybeforetherecordedimage.Slide126showsRicecontinuingtomovedownwardintheimage.OfficerLoehmannmoves toward the rear of the police vehicle. He appears to have traveledapproximatelyfourfeet.AtSlide127,Loehmannismovingtothegroundattherearleftcornerofthepolicevehicle.Loehmannremainsonthegroundforafewimages.

(Fredericks Report at pp. 25‐26). Based upon this information, Fredericks’ states that“[a]ftercarefullyexaminingthevideoimagesandothermaterialslistinthisreport,IhaveformedtheopinionthatatthetimeoftheshootingTamirRiceliftedhisjacketwithhislefthand,andwithhisrighthand,hereachedforthegunthatwaslocatedinthewaistareaofhispants.(FredericksReportat29). Fredericks’ magnification work visually depicts the incident in slides 121‐125 ofVideo6:

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TwopoliceprocedureexpertsandanaccidentreconstructionexpertemployedbytheRicefamilyplaintiffs’attorneyshaveopinedthatRicedidnotdisplaythereplicaFirearmtoOfficers Loehmann and Garmback in the moments before he was shot.6 None of these

6 Noble writes that “Officer Loehmann claims Tamir lifted his shirt and reached down into hiswaistband—factsthataredirectlycontradictedbythevideo.”(NobleSupplementalReportatp.4,¶4). Clarkwritesthat“Tamir’sarmandhandmovementswereunderstandablynaturalanddonotdemonstrate him deliberately reaching into his waist for a gun or pulling out a gun.” (Clark

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purportedexperts,however,haveany training in forensicvideoanalysis andhaveneverbeen recognized as experts in that field. As plaintiffs’ police procedure expert Nobleconcedes at multiple points, the video “picture is grainy and lacks detail.” (NobleSupplemental Report at p. 2). Neither Noble, Clark, nor Wobrock have any morequalificationsthanalaymantoexpressanyopinionstoareasonabledegreeofprofessionalcertaintyaboutwhatthevideodepicts. Withouthavingbeenpresentduringtheshootingincidentitself,thesenon‐expertopinionsaboutwhatcanbeseenonvideoarenotreliable,helpfulorcredible.

ii. Thepositionofthegunaftertheshootingandtheofficers’defensivereactionconfirmsthattheysawthesuspectpullingoutagun.

Thevideoalsodepictstwocrucialfactsthatconfirmtheofficers’claimsthattheysawthesuspectpullingagunoutofhiswaistband.First,carefulexaminationofthevideoduringthemomentsafterOfficerLoehmannshotTamirshowsapointofdarkcontrast(circledinred)appearontheGazebo’sconcretefloorimmediatelyafterTamirfalls,asshowninslide130’smagnificationofCamera1:

The dark area of contrast remains visible until Slides 197‐199, when Officer GarmbackapproachesTamiranduseshis left leg tokick theareawhere thedarkpointof contrast(circledinred)canbeseen:

SupplementalReportatpp.1‐2).Dr.JesseWobrockwrites:“TamirRicedidnothaveenoughtimetoremovehishandsfromhisjacketpockets,priortobeingshot”and“[t]hevideoshowsthatatnopointinhisencounterwiththepolicedidTamirRicereachintohiswaistband.”(WobrockReportatp.7).

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Garmbackcompletesthekickingmovementwithhislegasofslide201,whenthedarkareaofcontrastisnolongervisible:

Again,OfficerGarmbackexplainedinhisstatementthathe“sawagunlooseontheground,a few feet from themale after hewas shot. Imoved it further away fromhim.” Carefulexaminationof the aforementioned slides corroboratesGarmback’s account and stronglyindicatesthatthedarklycontrastedobjectintheslideswasTamir’sreplicafirearm,whichTamirdroppedoutofhishandafterbeingshotbyOfficerLoehmann.Indeed,theClevelandPoliceDepartment’sscenephotosshowthereplica firearmandmagazineontheground7nearthespotwhereTamirfell:

7Officers at the sceneplacedplastic over the replica firearm to prevent rain from falling on theevidence. The final locationof thereplica firearmon thegrass isexplainedbyOfficerGarmbackhavingkickedthegunawayfromtheGazebo,asshownabove.

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The plaintiffs’ attorneys’ police procedure and accident reconstruction expertsmake noattempt toaccount forhowthereplica firearmendedupon theground. If, as theyhaveclaimed,Tamirwasnotpullingoutthereplicafirearmwhenhegotshotandhishandshadbeeninhispockets,thereplicafirearmwouldhaveremainedconcealedunderhisclothing.Instead, thefactthatthedarklycontrastedshapeappearsonthevideoimmediatelyafterLoehmannshotTamirstronglysuggeststhatFredericks’observationswerecorrect:OfficerLoehmannshotTamirafterTamirwaspullinguphisjacketwithhislefthandandwasusinghisrighthandtopullouthisreplicafirearmfromhiswaistband. ThephysicalevidencealsoconfirmsFredericks’conclusionthatTamirwaspullinguphisjacketatthetimehewasshot.Themedicalexaminer’sautopsyreportnotedthatTamir’sgunshotwoundwas found “on the left sideof the abdomen slightly above theumbilicuslocated23½”belowthetopoftheheadand½”totheleftofmidline.”(MedicalExaminer’sAutopsy Report at p. 1, emphasis added). The Medical Examiner’s Trace EvidenceLaboratoryReportdescribesthelocationofthebulletentrancewoundonTamir’s jacket:DefectAentrance(3/16Inchdiameter)located18Inchesbelowtheleftmid‐shoulderpointand33/4Inchesleftoftheanteriormid‐bodyline.”(MedicalExaminer’sTraceEvidenceLaboratoryReportatp.3,emphasisadded).Forthebulletentranceonthejacket(3¾”leftofmidline18 inches belowmid‐shoulder) to line upwith the bulletwound (1/2” left ofmidline,abovethenavel),thejacketwouldhavehadtobepulled“upandtotheright,”asnotedbyplaintiffs’accidentreconstructionistWobrock.(Wobrockreportatp.7).AlthoughWobrockbelievesthiswascausedbyTamirraisinghisarms“defensively,”withhishandsinhispockets,theevidenceisneverthelessconsistentwithFredericks’conclusionthatTamirwaspullinghisjacketupwithhislefthandatthetimehewasshotbyOfficerLoehmann. Thesecondsignificantfactrevealedbythevideo,andwhichgoesunaddressedbytheplaintiffs’policeprocedureexperts,isthatthesecurityvideoshowsbothOfficersreactingdefensivelytoTamirevenafterhewasshot,indicatingtheybothhadseenTamirwithwhat

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theythoughtwasagun.OfficersLoehmannandGarmbackbothtookupdefensivepositionswiththeirgunsdrawn,evenafterTamirhadfallentotheconcreteGazebofloor,seeninVideo6,slides135‐200,andillustratedbelowinthemagnifiedportionofslide141:

Indeed, as Officer Garmback summoned EMS to the scene, the police dispatch audiorecordingshowsthatLoehmanncouldbeheardcontinuingtoyellinthebackground.8ThevideodepictsGarmbackraisinghishandstotheareaofhisshouldermicrophoneatslide204,whosetimecodeis15:31:03,or41secondsafterTamirwasshot. EvenafterTamirhadbeenshot,thesecurityvideoshowsthatbothGarmbackandLoehmanngenuinelybelievedthatTamircontinuedtoposeathreat.BothofficerscontinuetohavetheirgunsdrawnuntilOfficerGarmbackkickedthereplicafirearmawayatslides197‐200.Thisstronglysupportsbothofficers’statementsthattheysawthesuspectpullingagunoutofhiswaist.If,astheplaintiffs’policeprocedureexpertssuggest,neitherofficerhadseenTamirpullingoutagun,theywouldnothavehadareasontoremaininadefensivepositionafterTamirhadfallentotheground. Even if Officer Loehmann had not observed Tamir pulling the gun out of hiswaistband,theSixthDistrictCourtofAppealsexplainedthatasuspect’sbodylanguagemaystillgivetheofficerreasonablebeliefthatheposesanimminentriskofharm:

In evaluating reasonableness in the threat‐perception cases, courts have alsoacceptedthatofficersaretrainedtorecognizecertainbehaviorsand"bodylanguage"asdangercues.Theseincludeobviousattemptstoevadetheofficer,furtivegesturesandglances,suddenturns,andtheignoringofcommands,suchasanordertoshowone's hands. Because such encounters often occur at night, this limits visionsignificantlyandenhancesrisktoboththeofficerandthesuspect.SeeThompsonv.Hubbard,257F.3d896,899(8thCir.2001)(unarmedsuspectshotwhile"look[ing]

8Loehmann’s voice can be heard over Garmback’s at timecode 4:15 of the PoliceDispatch audiorecordingoftheincident.

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overshoulder"atofficerand"mov[ing]hisarmsasthoughreachingforaweaponatwaist level."Noweaponfound);Reese,supra,at500‐501(officercouldreasonablybelievethatsuspectincarwasreachingforagunonfloorboard.Noweaponfound);Slatteryv.Rizzo,939F.2d213,215(4thCir.1991)(officerreasonablyfeltthreatenedbysuspectturningtowardhimwithoutlefthandinview.Noweaponfound);Davisv.Freels,583F.2d337(7thCir.1978)(suspect,orderedtoraisehands,shotinbackafterofficersaw"suddenmotionwithhisrightelbowinabackwarddirection."Noweaponfound).

Themotionmostcommonlyidentifiedbycourtsthatpromptedtheofficertobelievepreemptivegunfirewasneededisthereachtowardthewaistbandorintoapocket.InAndersonv.Russell,supra,theofficershotanunarmedsuspectwho,ignoringtheofficer's orders, "was lowering his hands in the direction of a bulge" near "[his]waistband."Id.247F.3dat130.ThebulgewasafterwarddiscoveredtobeaWalkmanradio.TheFourthCircuitfound"[Officer]Russell'ssplit‐seconddecisiontousedeadlyforce***reasonableinlightofRussell'swell‐founded,thoughmistaken,beliefthat[thesuspect]wasreachingforahandgun."Id.at132.SeealsoSherrodv.Berry,856F.2d 802, 804‐05 (7th Cir.1988) (unarmed suspect shot while making a "quickmovementwithhishandintohiscoat[asifreaching]foraweapon");Lamontv.NewJersey,637F.3d177,179(3dCir.2011)("suspect[shotafter]suddenlypull[ing]hisright hand out of his waistband [as] though hewere drawing a gun." Crack pipefound).

Statev.White,6thDist.No.L‐10‐1194,2013‐Ohio‐51,¶¶66‐67. HadOfficerLoehmannknownthatTamirwasonly12,thatheonlypossessedatoygun,itispossiblethathewouldnothavefoundTamir’smovementsthreateningandmaynothavechosentoshootinthatmoment.ButOfficerLoehmanndidnotknowthosefacts,andthelawrequiresthathebejudgedaccordingtowhetherheactedreasonablywiththeonlythosefactsheknewatthetime.

Here, the Officers had information from Dispatch that the suspect – whosedescriptionmatchedTamirexactly–hadbeenpullingagunoutofhiswaistandpointingitatpeople.Giventhosefacts,anymovementbyTamirtowardsabulgeorapocketnearhiswaistcouldhavebeenmistakenbyOfficerLoehmannasamovementtowardsagun.SinceOfficerLoehmannhadbeengiveninformationfromDispatchthathehadreasontobelievewasaccurate,anymovementbyTamirneartheareawhereLoehmannbelievedhimtohavea firearm could have led him to a reasonable, butmistaken, belief that Tamir posed animminentthreatofseriousphysicalharm.

iii. Officers Loehmann and Garmback’s subsequent statements are

consistentwiththeevidenceinthiscase.

Loehmann and Garmback’s subsequent statements to fellow officers after theincidentalsosupportFredericks’conclusions.Aftertheshooting,OfficerLoehmannmadeastatement to Officer Cunningham, the off‐duty Cleveland Police Officer sitting at theRecreationCenterentranceatthetimeoftheincident.Within90secondsoftheincident,CunninghamaskedOfficerLoehmann“Whathappened?”Loehmannresponded“hedidn’tgivemeachance…hereachedforthegunandhegavemenochoice.TherewasnothingI

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coulddo.”Loehmann’sstatementtoCunningham–givenwhilehewasstillunderthestressof the incident–wouldbeadmissibleasanexceptiontothegeneralruleagainsthearsaybecauseitisan“excitedutterance.”Evid.R.803(2)(astatement“relatingtoastartlingeventorconditionmadewhilethedeclarantwasperceivingtheeventorcondition,orimmediatelythereafter.. .”).“Thisexceptionderivesitsguarantyoftrustworthinessfromthefactthat[the]declarantisundersuchstateofemotionshockthathisreflectiveprocesseshavebeenstilled. Therefore, statementsunder thesecircumstancesarenot likely tobe fabricated.”PaulC.Giannelli,Baldwin’sOhioPracticeRulesofEvidenceHandbook,2014Ed.,p.651,citingMcCormick § 297 (2dEd. 1972). As explained above, there is no reason to believe thatLoehmann’sstatementtoCunninghamatthatmomentwasnottrustworthy.9

At the scene,Loehmannalsodescribed the incident to theFBISpecialAgent,whoindicatedthatLoehmanntoldhimthatTamir“hadagunandhereachedforitafterhetoldhimtoshowhishands.”TheSpecialAgentobservedthatLoehmann“seemedlikeaguythatwasputinaverydifficultsituationandhadtomakeaveryquickdecisionbaseduponwhathebelievedwasanimminentfearofdeathorseriousphysicalinjurytohimselfandreactedtoit.”OfficerLouKitko,anotherofficeratthescene,recountedthatLoehmannstatedthathehadshotTamirafter“yellingcommandsatthemale,theystoppedthecarandthemalewentforthefirearmandtriedtopullitout.”OfficerThomasGriffin,alsoatthescene,toldSheriffs’Investigators that he had spoken to Loehmann within a week of the incident, and thatLoehmannwas still emotional about the shooting. Officer Loehmann told him that “thesuspectpulleduphissweatshirtandthenpulledagunoutofhiswaistbandandthathesawtheguninthesuspect’shandanditreallylookedbig.”

GarmbackalsospokewithGriffinduringtheweekfollowingtheincident.AccordingtoGriffin,Garmbackstatedthat“thattheypulledupsawasuspectfurtheringthedescriptionandthoughthemightrun,astheypulledupthesuspectstartedtowalktowardthemandheattemptedtostopbutcouldnotandsliduptothegazebo.Ashewalkedup[thesuspect]pulleduphis shirt anddrewa gun fromhiswaistband.”OfficerGarmbackalso stated toOfficerGriffinthatheaswellasOfficerLoehmannwereyellingcommands“to“putupyourhands”astheyslid.

iv. IndependentevidenceshowsthatthroughoutthedayonNovember

22,2014,Tamirwaspullingtheguninandoutofhiswaistband.

A great deal of independent evidence indicates that Tamir kept the gun in hiswaistbandthroughoutthedayonNovember22,2014.Minutesbeforehisencounterwithofficers,the911callerdescribedseveraltimesseeingTamir“kee[p]pulling[thegun]inandoutofhispants.”Likewise,Witness#4,ayoungfriendofTamir,saidthatonthedayoftheincident, Tamirwould pull the gun in and out of his pants “like robbers do.” Likewise,Witness#3,anotheryoungfriendofTamir,saidTamirkepthisguninsidehiswaistband

9TheRicefamilyplaintiffs’lawyers,throughtheirpoliceprocedureexperts,suggestthatLoehmann’semploymenthistoryshows thathis statementsareunworthyofbelief. This ignores the fact thatGarmbackalsosaidhesawTamirpullingwhathethoughtwasagunoutofhiswaist.Asshownabove,however, Loehmann’s statement is strongly supported by independent evidence and it isunnecessarytorelyuponhiscredibilitytodeterminewhetherhisstatementtoOfficerCunninghamwastruthful.

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withthebarrelpointingdownwardandthatTamirhadtoliftuphisjackettopullitoutwhenhewaswithhim. Inhisanalysisofthevideo,FredericksidentifiedadditionalinstanceswhereTamircouldbeseenperformingsimilarmovements.Inslide465‐68ofFrederick’sfourthvideo,bearingtimestamps15:08:45to15:08:47,Fredericksmagnifiedaviewfromcamera#4:

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In slide 153‐160 of Frederick’s fifth video, bearing timestamps 15:13:05 to 15:13:09, heidentifiedanothersimilarmovementbyTamir,inwhichTamircanclearlybeseenremovingthegunfromhiswaistandpointingit:

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Itshouldbenotedthatduringtheprecedingslides,the911callerwaspresentandsittingattheGazebo. FredericksalsonotedathirdinstanceofsimilarmovementbyRice,againwithinviewofthe911caller.Betweenslides698and710ofFredericks’fifthvideo,betweentimestamps15:17:49and15:17:52,hedocumentedthefollowingmovementbyTamir:

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(Slide698)

(Slides703‐705)

(Slide710).

As shownabove,bothofficers’ statementsare largely corroboratedbyFredericks’forensicvideoanalysis,independentwitnesses,andphysicalevidence.Theonlyremainingquestion is towhatextentTamir couldhaveheard theofficers’ commands. It isunclearwhether the officers initially gave the commands from inside a closed vehicle. In hisstatement,Garmbackstatedthathe“believe[d]thecruiserwindowswereupatthetimeofthese events” but was “not sure.” (Garmback statement, p. 1, ¶ 10). Loehmann, in hisstatement,describedgivingcommands:“[a]scarisslid,Istartedtoopenthedoorandyelledcontinuously ‘showmeyourhands’ as loudas I could. The security video showsOfficerLoehmann opening the door approximately one second before shooting Tamir. Officer

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Garmbackwasalsoyelling“showmeyourhands.”(LoehmannStatement,p.1).InWhite,theSupremeCourtstatedthatunderGarner,warningsarerequired“whenfeasible.”Statev.White,142OhioSt.3d277,282‐3,29N.E.3d939,2015‐Ohio‐492,quotingGarner,supra,at11‐12. ThefactthatTamirmaynothaveheardtheofficers’commandstoshowthemhishandsdoesnotplacetheincidentoutsideoftheFourthAmendment.

EvenassumingTamircouldnothaveheardLoehmann’swarningsgivenfrominsidethecar,Loehmannfelthehadnochoice in the instantheuseddeadly force. Garmback’sapproach–skiddingtoahaltdirectlyinfrontofwhereTamirwasstanding–hadlefthimdangerously exposed to what he believed was a suspect drawing a gun. “The FourthAmendmentdoesnotrequirepoliceofficerstowaituntilasuspectshootstoconfirmthataserious threatofharmexists. ***Officersneednotbeabsolutelysure [of] thesuspect'sintenttocausethemharm‐theConstitutiondoesnotrequirethatcertitudeprecedetheactof self‐protection.” State v.White, 6th Dist. No. L‐10‐1194, 2013‐Ohio‐51, ¶ 64, quotingElliottv.Leavitt,99F.3d640,643‐44(4thCir.1996).

Likewise,thelawrequiresthattheofficer’sactionsbereviewedfromthestandpointof“thereasonableofficeronthesceneandnotthroughthelensof20/20hindsight.”Grahamv.Connor,supra,490U.S.at395. ThereisnoevidencetocontradictLoehmann’saccountthatheshoutedcommandsasheopenedthedooranddrewhisweapononTamir.Althoughthe time frame from Loehmann exiting the vehicle and firing hisweapon on Tamirwascompressed,theevidencedoesnotshowthathisdecisiontoshootwasunreasonable,orthatitwasfeasibletogivemorecommandsthanhedid.Again,LoehmannwasfacingasuspectpullinganobjectfromhiswaistthatLoehmannthoughtwasarealgun.Thelawdoesnotrequireanofficertowaituntilbeingfiredupontoconfirmwhetherthegunisrealortogivethesuspectadditionaltimetoopenfiretodrawandfireupontheofficer.

v. Tamir’sreplicafirearmwasfunctionallyidenticaltoarealfirearm.

During their investigation, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Investigators purchased areplicafirearmidenticaltotheoneusedbyTamironNovember22,2014.TheconditionofTamir’sreplicafirearmhadchangedsincethetimeofitspurchase,havinghadtheorangetipand laser sight removed. As depicted in the following advertisement collected by theSheriff’sInvestigatorsduringtheirinvestigation,thereplicafirearmcouldbepurchasedfor$10.97fromalocalWal‐Martstore:

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“Colt1911TargetPistolwithLaserSight”,availableathttp://www.walmart.com/ip/Colt‐1911‐Target‐Pistol‐with‐Laser‐Sight/22360212(lastviewedMay25,2015).

As packaged, the replica firearm had a warning on the packaging stating: “Anyalterationastothecolorationand/ormarkingofthisproducttomakethisproductlookmorelikeafirearmisdangerous,maycauseconfusion,maybemistakentobearealfirearmbylawenforcementofficersorothersandmaybeacrime.Itisdangerousandmaybeacrimetobrandishordisplaythisproductinpublic”:

Evenwithmagnification,thewarningonthereplicafirearmpackagingwasextremelyhardto read. Although there is evidence that on thedayof the incident, at least twopeoplewarned Tamir about the dangerousness of using the gun in a public place, there is noevidencethatTamireversawanywarningsfromthegun’spackaging.

Toanuntrainedeye,Tamir’sreplicafirearmandanactual.45ColtM1911(“M1911”)semi‐automatic pistol are nearly indistinguishable. The following photograph depictsTamir’sreplicafirearmsidebysidewiththeactualM1911:

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Eventoatrainedeye,carefulside‐by‐sidecomparisonisrequiredtonoticethedifferencesbetweenTamir’sreplicafirearmandtheactualfirearm.IntheirstatementstotheSheriff’sDepartment,DetectiveLentz,aswellasOfficersZverina,Roman,Kitko,andGriffinallstatedthattheysawthegunattheshootingsceneandbelieveditwasarealgun.DetectiveLentzstatedthatitwasn’tuntilheinspectedtheguncloselythatherealizedthatTamir’sgunwasnotarealfirearm.Itisindisputablethatthedifficultydistinguishingbetweenarealandtoygunundertherelativelycalmcircumstancesofanofficeorcourtroombecomeafunctionalimpossibilityfortheofficerconfrontedwithastressful,dangeroussituationinthefield.

Duringthetense,uncertain,andrapidlyunfoldingmomentsofanactualencounter,theofficerfacingasuspectcarryingwhatappearstobeagunoftendoesnotknowifitisrealorfake.Worse,theofficerwillknowthatifheguesseswrong,thatmaybetheendofhislife.Whenanofficerfacesasuspectdisplayingwhatclearlyappearstobearealfirearm–evenwhenthatturnsouttobeamistakenbelief–thelawdoesnotpreventtheofficerfromusingdeadlyforcetodefendhimself,otherofficers,orthepublicfromwhattheofficerbelievesisasuspectwithadeadlyweapon.“Apoliceofficerneednotwaitforasuspecttoopenfireonhim,much lesswait for thesuspect toactuallyhithim,before theofficermay fireback.”Greathousev.Couch,433Fed.Appx.370,373,2011U.S.App.LEXIS15357,*8(6thCir.2011). Tragically, similar incidentshaveoccurredwhenofficersmistooksuspects’ replicafirearmsforactualfirearmsandbelievedthesuspectposedanimminentriskofharm.Inanother local case, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reviewed the actions of an EastClevelandPoliceofficerwhoshotateenageboywhiletheboywascarryingaBBgun:

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InlightofthefactsconfrontingOfficerRodgerswhenheshotJeffreyBell,itisclearthatOfficerRodgers'actionswerereasonable.OfficerRodgershadbeentoldthatayoungboywascarryingaguninhisfrontpocket.WhenhelocatedJeffreyBellanddeterminedthathematchedthedescriptionoftheboycarryingthegun,hestoppedhiscarbehindhim.Hecommandedtheboywiththeguninhisfrontpockettodropdown.Theboy,whosebackwas toOfficerRodgers,didnot followthecommands.Instead,hepulleduphisshirtwithhislefthand,puthisrighthandinfrontofhisbodybeyond Officer Rodgers' view, and turned toward Officer Rodgers with whatappearedtobeaguninhishand.HewaspointingthegunatOfficerRodgerswhenOfficerRodgersshothim.WitnesseswhosawthegunonthegroundnearJeffreyBell'srighthandstatedthatitappearedtobereal.

TheplaintiffcontendsthatBellmayhavebeentryingtoshowOfficerRodgersthatthegunhewascarryingwasnotreal.However,theissueiswhetherareasonableofficerinOfficerRodgers'shoeswouldhavefearedforhislife,notwhatwasinthemindofJeffreyBellwhenheturnedaroundwiththeguninhishand.

Bellv.CityofE.Cleveland,1997U.S.App.LEXIS28738,*8‐9(6thCir.1997).Muchlikethiscase,theofficerinBellhadareportfromacitizencomplaintofasuspectbrandishingagun,had a specific description of the suspect, and saw the suspect pointingwhat the officerbelievedwasarealgun.Underthosefacts,theSixthCircuitdeterminedthattheofficer’suseofdeadlyforcehadbeenreasonable,eventhoughthesuspect’sweaponturnedouttobeaBBgun.Id.

6. Conclusion.

This case is the culmination of a tragic confluence of events. A young boy, whoappearedolderthanhis12years,spenthoursplayingataRecreationCenterwithatoygunthat looked just like the real thing. Noonewho sawhimdoing itwaswillingor able tointervene and make him stop. Unfortunately, the security cameras that showed himfrightening people with the toy gun were left unmonitored and unseen by any securityofficer.ThecallerwhonotifiedpoliceaboutTamirtoldthe911operatorthatTamirmighthavebeenajuvenile,andthatthegunmighthavebeenafake,butthatTamirwas“scaringtheshit”outofhim.

The911operatornevertoldtheDispatcheraboutthepossibilityTamirwasajuvenileorthatthegunwasatoy,whichledthetworespondingofficerstobelievearealmanwitharealgunwasthreateninginnocentpeople’slivesatarecreationcenter.WhentheofficersapproachedTamir,heunexpectedlymovedintheirdirectionandbeganpullingoutthegunfromhiswaistband.Theofficers,whohadnoideathatthegunwasfakeorthatTamirwasonly12,thoughthewasgoingtopullthegunoutatthem. InDavenportv.Causey,521F.3d544,552(6thCir.2008),theSixthCircuitexplainedthat“[t]heofficermustalsobegivensomeleewaywhenacourtanalyzesthereasonablenessofhisdecision.Itisfirstlyimportanttorememberwhatisa‘reasonable’beliefcouldalsobeamistaken belief, and that the fact it turned out to bemistaken does not undermine itsreasonablenessasconsideredatthetimeoftheacts.”Here,OfficerLoehmannandOfficerGarmbackweretragicallymistakenaboutthekeyfactsofthiscase.TheydidnotknowuntilitwastoolatethatTamirwasnotarealthreattotheirsafetyortothepublic’ssafety.But

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thelawrequiresthattheybejudgedaccordingtowhattheyknewatthetime,andwhethertheiractionsbaseduponwhattheyknewwerereasonableundertheFourthAmendment. We have recommended against bringing any criminal charges to the Grand JurybecausewedonotbelievethatanyreasonablejudgeorjurywouldfindcriminalconductinOfficerLoehmann’sreactiontoasuspectpullingwhathethoughtwasagun.NorhasanyviabletheoryofcriminalconductbeenofferedtoexplainwhyOfficerGarmbackwouldbecriminallyliableforOfficerLoehmann’suseofdeadlyforce.Wearemindfuloftheprofoundimpactthatanypoliceuseofdeadlyforcehasonthecommunity,andweareacutelyawareofthepainandsufferingexperiencedbythefamilyofa12year‐oldboywhoselifewassoabruptlyended.Butjusticerequiresathoroughandevenhandedexaminationfactsandlaw.Inthiscase,thereisnobasistochargeacriminaloffense.

Respectfullysubmitted,

TimothyJ.McGintyCuyahogaCountyProsecutingAttorney

________________________ ________________________MatthewE.Meyer JamesA.GutierrezAssistantProsecutingAttorney AssistantProsecutingAttorney

cuyahoga county prosecutor’s report on …prosecutor.cuyahogacounty.us/pdf_prosecutor/en-us/rice...

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