Boy with replica gun fatally shot by police officer in Arizona

PHOENIX — Police in the Phoenix suburb of Tempe say a burglary suspect shot to death by an officer this week was a 14-year-old boy carrying a replica gun.

Authorities say Tempe officers reported a suspect burglarizing a car Tuesday and that he ran away holding what appeared to be a handgun.

During the chase, police say he turned toward the officers. One officer perceived that as a threat and shot the suspect, who died at a hospital.

Police said the teen had a replica 1911 airsoft gun in his possession, which they determined he had taken from the vehicle along with some other items.

They say the shooting was captured on the officer’s body camera. The police department did not immediately respond to a request for access to the video.