[NYDAILYNEWS] The 13-year-old boy shot and killed by an Ohio cop was carrying a BB gun that looked "practically identical" to a police weapon, authorities said Thursday.
Tyre King was fatally shot when police in Columbus responded Wednesday night to a call about an armed robbery.
Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs displayed a photo at a presser Thursday of what she said was a "replica" of the BB gun held by Tyre, which had a laser scope on it.
"Our officers carry a gun that looks practically identical to this weapon," she said. "As you can see, it looks like a firearm that could kill you."
Jacobs said officers were responding to a call about armed robbery -- a group was sticking people up for money on the street, and one of them was armed, witnesses told cops.
The black 13-year-old was shot multiple times by Columbus police officer Bryan Mason, who is white. Mason, a nine-year veteran of the department, opened fire when Tyre pulled what appeared to be a weapon from his waistband, police said.
Only later did Sherlocks realize it was a BB gun, police said.
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