US Police Shoot Kenyan Boy 4 Times

A Kenyan teenager in the United States (US) was on Saturday night shot four times by a police officer, amid a scuffle at a Mall in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah.

The 17-year-old was shot by an officer who was among police who had arrived at the mall in response to an alarm that had been raised over an alleged altercation between the teen and an unidentified person.

"There was an altercation taking place and our officers intervened," said Salt Lake City Police detective Greg Wilking.

Detective Wilking confirmed that two officers were involved in the shooting incident.

According to Selam Mohammad, an eye witness who identified himself as a friend to the victim, the shooting by the police was uncalled for.

"The police said, 'Drop it', once, then they shot him four times," Selam recalled. 

“He wasn't even swinging at anybody and didn't know that the cops were behind him. He barely turned around before they shot him," said Mohammad

The shooting is said to have sparked an angry reaction from bystanders who said they felt the officers did not give the teen, who was reportedly wielding a broomstick, a chance to surrender.

A fierce clash between police and the bystanders ensued with witnesses saying  glass, debris and rocks were thrown at police officers, most of who were in riot gear. 

Multiple agencies were called in to quell the situation with close to 100 officers arriving at the scene.

The young boy, who was rushed to hospital, sustained gunshots in the stomach and chest.

 

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