Boy, 13, fatally shot by cop had pulled out BB gun, police say

COLUMBUS, Ohio — An officer responding to a reported armed robbery shot and killed a 13-year-old boy when the teen pulled a firearm from his waistband that was later determined to be a BB gun but looked “practically identical” to the weapon that police use, authorities said Thursday.

Columbus police said officers had spotted three males who matched the description of the robbery suspects, and two of them ran away when officers tried to speak with them.

At a news conference Thursday, Police Chief Kim Jacobs displayed a photo of what she called a “replica” of the BB gun that Tyree had.

Mason has been placed on administrative leave while the shooting is investigated, per department protocol, Jacobs said.

Authorities said it wasn’t clear if the shooting was caught on surveillance or cell phone video.

Police reviewing evidence from the scene determined the boy’s firearm was actually a BB gun with an attached laser sight.