More details have emerged about the Cleveland cop who shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice to death at a playground.
Timothy Loehmann resigned from a smaller Ohio police force in 2012 when he was found to be incompetent, “weepy” and “distracted” prior to a firearm qualification session, Gawker.com reports.
According to a letter obtained by the Northeast Ohio Media Group, Loehmann “could not follow simple directions” and “could not communicate clear thoughts nor recollections, and his handgun performance was dismal,” Independence Deputy Chief Jim Polak wrote. “For these reasons, I am recommending he be released from the employment of the city of Independence. I do not believe time, nor training, will be able to change or correct these deficiencies.”
Polak also believed Loehmann was unpredictable and would “not react in the way instructed” under certain situations.
According to the Northeast Ohio Media Group, Loehmann, who broke up with a girlfriend, “cried often about his personal issue during training.”
On Nov. 28, 2012, Loehmann reportedly showed up “sleepy and upset” for a 6 a.m. state gun qualification session.
Loehmann resigned from the Independence force on December 3, 2012.
According to Loehmann’s father he later sought employment with the larger Cleveland police force because he wanted “more action” than the Independence department could offer.
Loehmann shot Tamir Rice, who was holding a toy gun, 2 seconds after he arrived at a Cleveland recreation center On Nov. 22. Tamir died the next morning.
Public opinion has swayed in favor of Tamir Rice in light of the reports about Loehmann’s incompetency.
Gawker.com reader 99Telep?dpr?blems writes:
If this particular guy walks I will not complain if black people decide they want to burn Cleveland to the ground.
It was a 12 year old kid. the 911 caller said that the boy was probably holding a fake gun. Loehmann shoots Rice to death 2 seconds after pulling up in the patrol car.
There is no way this can be justified and if he walks I kinda hope they riot. I don’t think it solves anything but I will definitely sympathize with the anger.
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