A rookie East Pittsburgh cop who shot a fleeing teenager in the back during a traffic stop was sworn into duty on the police force a few hours earlier.
17-year-old Antwon Rose was killed by a rookie officer who responded to a shots fired call in North Braddock.
Police observed a car speeding from the scene with what appeared to be bullet holes in the rear window.
A traffic stop was made and police detained the driver. Two passengers, including Rose, jumped from the car and fled.
The cop opened fire and Rose was struck multiple times in the back. A witness recorded the shooting with her cell phone.
Police recovered 2 firearms from the car, but Rose was unarmed.
The unidentified cop has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.
According to KDKA News, it’s up to Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala to determine whether Rose’s shooting was justified or not.
“That officer has the same rights as any other citizen,” said McDonough.
Protestors marched in an impromptu rally outside the East Pittsburgh Police station on Wednesday. Demonstrators called for the officer to be fired.
Rose is the latest in a string of students from Woodland Hills to be shot.
School officials and teachers spoke highly of the teen.
“He was a really excellent student,” said Superintendent Alan Johnson. “He was involved in advance placement classes, he was a gifted student, he certainly had everything to look forward to, he was very well liked by teachers. I know a number of teachers at the high school are pretty badly shaken up, the principal knew him well.”
