Activists seek warrants for Cleveland officers in boy’s fatal shooting

CLEVELAND (AP) — A group of eight activists who filed affidavits that led a judge to find probable cause to arrest two Cleveland officers for the fatal shooting of a boy holding a pellet gun has called on the city to issue arrest warrants.

The group sent a letter Monday to Cleveland law director Barbara Langhenry asking whether her office will issue arrest warrants for the officers involved in the shooting death of 12-year-old Tamir Rice outside a recreation center last November, local media reported.

The request comes after Municipal Court Judge Ronald Adrine ruled there’s probable cause to charge rookie officer Timothy Loehmann with murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide or dereliction of duty.

He also ruled there’s evidence to charge Loehmann’s partner, Frank Garmback, with reckless homicide or dereliction of duty. Judge Adrine ruled last week after the group of activists submitted affidavits asking the court to charge the officers.

“We are concerned that in six months, we have not seen any activity,” Edward Little, one of the activists who submitted the affidavits, told the Northeast Ohio Media Group. “We are extremely hopeful that the city will issue these arrest warrants.”

Police have said Tamir’s pellet gun looked real.

The judge’s ruling doesn’t compel prosecutors to do anything. Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty has said the case will be presented to a grand jury, which is his office’s policy for all police-involved shooting cases.