Investigating an Abandoned House
A report from WWL TV tells the sad story of a life that ended far too soon. According to the report, a 14 year old boy was shot and killed by a Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s deputy as two deputies were investigating an abandoned house. The Sheriff’s office had received reports that a group of people with weapons had entered the house at around 6pm. The deputies say that there was a weapon found “in the vicinity” of the boy’s body, but what type of weapon, or how close it was to the boy’s body was not released.
Both Deputy and Victim Were Same Race
Although race should not be of importance in such an incident, both the victim and the deputy who shot him were of the same race. The report states, “The incident happened in Kirkglen Loop after deputies were called to the scene just before 6 p.m. The teen who was shot and killed was identified by relatives as 14-year-old Cameron Tillman who was a student at Ellender High School. The deputy was not identified by name, but the Terrebonne Sheriff’s Office said he is an African-American, 7-year veteran of the patrol division, a field training officer and a member of the TPSO SWAT team.
A spokesman for the department said the officer has no previous disciplinary infractions during his career. The sheriff’s office said that two officers were responding to the call. ‘While attempting to make contact with the suspects inside of an abandoned residence on the street, shot an armed suspect.’” The victim was also an African-American.
State Police on the Case
While State Police says that there was a weapon “in close proximity” to the boy’s body, the victim’s family dispute the claim that he was armed. Cameron’s brother, Andre, was also in the abandoned house at the time of the shooting and says that someone knocked on the door. He added, “My little brother thought somebody was just clowning, because somebody is always clowning by the door. He opened (it) and the man just shot him. He didn’t have nothing in his hand.” The family claims that Cameron was shot 4 times. A Louisiana state trooper says that the incident is under investigation because “the officer and the 14-year-old deserve a thorough investigation. The individual that was fatally wounded, his family, everybody deserves a proper investigation, and that’s what we’re here to do. And until we get everything nailed down, squared away, we’ll be out here as long as it takes. ”
Witnesses Proclaim Boy’s Innocence
According to neighbors, the house where the incident occurred had been vacant for quite some time. They said that seeing teenagers going in and out of the house was a regular occurrence. Cameron was described as a timid and respectful kid and “tremendous athlete.” Family friend and teacher, Michael Legarde stated that he did not believe Cameron or any of the others were robbing the house because it was completely empty. He knew this because he had considered buying the property to rent out. He has about twenty homes that he rents out in that neighborhood, according to the report. Two juveniles and two adults were arrested at the scene.
What do you think of all of the police shootings which have been in the news lately? What about this case? Was this boy simply being a kid, hanging out in an abandoned house? Considering the fact that the police had been told that there was “a group of people with weapons,” is this shooting understandable? Answers are welcomed in the comments below.
