SANTA ROSA, Calif. – A California police officer shot and injured a suicidal 15-year-old boy who pointed a replica handgun at him, authorities said Tuesday.
The boy was shot after officers in Santa Rosa responded to a 911 call late Monday about a man with a gun in a city park, police Lt. Michael Lazzarini said.
The boy briefly got down on the ground before rising up and pointing the replica handgun at the officer, Lazzarini said.
While taking cover, the officer fired several shots, striking the teen once in the foot. Officers said the boy made the 911 call and had a suicide note saying he wanted police to kill him.
"Tragically, it appears the boy orchestrated this whole thing," Lazzarini said.
Police declined to identify the boy, who is recovering in a hospital and receiving psychiatric care. The name of the officer who fired the shots was not immediately released.
In 2013, a Sonoma County deputy shot and killed a 13-year-old boy who was carrying a pellet gun that looked like an assault rifle.
The death of Andy Lopez prompted protests complaining of police mistreatment in communities of color. The teen's family also filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the county and sheriff's department.
A federal judge earlier this year ruled that the lawsuit can go forward. The county is appealing.
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