Rally marks 1 year since fatal police shooting in Ohio Wal-Mart

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — A courthouse square gathering will mark one year since a white police officer fatally shot a black man carrying an air rifle in an Ohio Wal-Mart.

Relatives of 22-year-old John Crawford III planned a community rally this evening in Dayton.

Crawford was shot last Aug. 5 at the Wal-Mart in suburban Beavercreek after a 911 caller reported someone waving a gun. Crawford had picked up an air rifle from a shelf.

Police say he didn’t respond to orders to drop the weapon, but his family contends he had no chance to respond. A grand jury concluded the shooting was justified. Federal authorities are still reviewing the case.

Crawford’s family has sued, alleging negligence and civil rights violations. Beavercreek police and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. denied allegations in the suit against them.