03 June, 2017
Frank Garmback, the other officer who was driving the patrol vehicle at the time of the shooting, will be suspended for 10 days beginning Wednesday.
On November 22, 2014, police were called to the Cudell Recreation Center responding to reports of a man with a gun.
The death of Rice, who was African-American, came to exemplify the kind of complaints about excessive use of police force that have defined the Black Lives Matter movement.
And though the officers faced no criminal charges for the incident, the City of Cleveland later agreed to pay $6 million to settle a civil rights lawsuit brought by the Rice family. Surveillance video contradicted his account, showing Loehmann shooting Rice just seconds after the patrol auto pulled up to the boy.
"I am relieved that Loehmann was sacked", said Samaria Rice.
Video of the shooting shows Garmback driving onto the grassy park area, which raised questions about whether that was standard procedure. Officers later found he was holding a pellet gun.
In January, it was announced that the two officers along with a third officer, William Cunningham, would face administrative charges from the department.
"There's a 12-year-old kid dead". Williams said both officers were notified of their fates Tuesday.
"This is a politically motivated witch hunt", Loomis said.
Loehmann's firing was reported to be about lying on his application and violating other policies rather than the Rice shooting, WKBW reported.
On Tuesday, it was announced that the rookie cop who killed him, Timothy Loehmann, has been fired from the Cleveland Division of Police following the conclusion of an investigation into the shooting. His dismissal is effective immediately, officers said. Garmback also will be required to attend additional tactical training.
He added, "I think our officers have learned that there are best approaches to incidents and with the training that they are receiving, to bolster the training they've had in the past, hopefully we won't have any more incidents like this".
"Shame on the city of Cleveland for taking so long to deal with the situation", said Samaria Rice. "We still need accountability".
It was one of a string of killings that fueled protests against use of deadly force by USA police, particularly against minorities. Williams said the department now makes sure to read through all applicants' personnel files and employment history.
In 2015, a grand jury declined to indict Loehmann or his partner, Frank Garmback, who received a 10-day suspension.
A message was left with the police union about the discipline.
The announcement was confirmed at a news conference held by chief of police Calvin Williams who said Loehmann will be terminated immediately, and the officer who drove the patrol vehicle, Frank Garmback, will be suspended for 10 days beginning Wednesday.
Garmback was driving the cruiser that skidded to a stop near Rice, before Loehmann jumped out and opened fire on the 12-year-old in less than two seconds.
