The Tempe Police Department released body cam footage from an officer, who fatally shot a 14-year-old boy in possession of an airsoft gun.
Antonio Arce was inside a truck in an alleyway when the officer comes upon the truck after receiving a report of a suspicious vehicle. The video shows Arce exiting the vehicle and running away from the officer. The video shows the officer chasing Arce and firing his weapon.
The Tempe Officers Association released a statement in support of a “open, cooperative investigations into every police use of force incident.”
The Association called for an investigation “based on facts and taking into account the difficult, demanding nature a police decision-making.” The Association called on the public to “withhold judgment on this matter until the investigation is complete and all the facts are known.”
“What happened on South Fairlane Tuesday afternoon, was a tragedy. The death of a 14-year-old is always tragic no matter the circumstances. Every member of the Tempe Police Officers Association will hold in our hearts and prayers everyone involved in this incident and their families and their loved ones,” read a statement the Association released.
According to the Association, the officer involved is a decorated military veteran who has been a Tempe Police officer for nearly 15 years.