A North Miami police officer was aiming for an autistic man’s head when he accidentally shot an unarmed black man in the leg.
Police responded to a 911 report of a man attempting suicide with a gun on Monday.
Charles Kinsey, a behavioral therapist, was calmly talking to his autistic patient who had run away from a group home.
Kinsey was shot in the leg as he lay on his back with his hands in the air.
The North Miami police officer who shot him now claims he thought Kinsey was in danger.
Police Chief Gary Eugene said the officer meant to hit the autistic man when he fired three times, hitting Kinsey once.
The non-black autistic patient was holding a toy truck as he sat next to Kinsey in the street. The patient was not exhibiting any signs that he was a danger to Kinsey or anyone else.
Kinsey is black and the officer who shot him is white.
The chief refused to answer questions at a news conference on Thursday. It took 4 days for the story to go national.
“I realize there are many questions about what happened on Monday night. You have questions, the community has questions, we as a city, we as a member of this police department and I also have questions,” he said.
Calling the investigation “a very sensitive matter, Chief Eugene said, “I assure you we will get all the answers.”
The officer was placed on paid administrative.