Texas Teen Shot And Killed By Police For Carrying A Pellet Gun

Yesterday morning was a sad day for the friends and family of Brownsville eighth grader Jamie Gonzalez.  The 15-year old was shot and killed by police after pulling out what looked like a hand gun.

Cops were called to Cummings Middle School in Brownsville, Texas after Gonzalez walked into a classroom and punched another student in the face.  He then pulled out what appeared to be a handgun.  Once police arrived, they tried to get the teen to put his weapon down.  He refused and police opened fire.

Gonzalez was shot three times by two officers.  Once he was down, police discovered that he didn't have a handgun, but a pellet gun.  A deadly misunderstanding.

Nobody can explain why Gonzalez acted in the manner he did.  According to friends and school officials he was a good kid.  Superintendent Carl Montoya remembered González as "a very positive young man."

"He did music. He worked well with everybody. Just something unfortunately happened today that caused his behavior to go the way it went. So I don't know," he said Wednesday.

Gonzalez's parents also said nothing was out of the ordinary at home.  They say that Jaime was a good kid.  Always helping others in the neighborhood by mowing lawns or fixing kids bikes.  They do, however, question the tactics used by the officers.  They want to know why they had to shoot three times and in the back of the head.

I understand that if an officer feels threatened, he has the right to shoot, but I also agree with the parents.  Did they really have to shoot three times and in the head?

No matter the reasoning, this is a very sad situation.  My thoughts and prayers are with the teen's family and friends.

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