The Federal Bureau of Investigation will be launching an independent investigation in the shooting and death of a 13-year-old California boy.
Andy Lopez, of Santa Rosa, was carrying a pellet-shooting toy gun that was made to look like an assault rifle on Tuesday and was approached by police officers just after 3p.m. local time. They called out for the teen, who was wearing a hoodie at the time, to drop his gun.
The Washington Post reports that only 10 seconds elapsed from when the officers called in a report of seeing a suspicious person to when they sent in another call to say that fired shots.
Almost immediately after, the officer sent in a third call, requesting emergency services to come to the scene. When they arrived, Lopez was pronounced dead.
Lopez’s preliminary autopsy reportedly said that he was shot seven times. He was fatally shot on his right hip and chest.
According to ABC News, the deputies were shocked to learn that the rifle that Lopez was carrying was only a replica. Both deputies have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol after a shooting takes place.
Later in the week, hundreds of local students and community members marched in protest through Santa Rosa. The march began at City Hall and went all the way to the area where Lopez was killed.
Candles were lit and protesters created a memorial for Lopez at the site. The protest was meant to be a call for justice.
On the same day, Sheriff Steve Freitas said in a statement that the FBI will be conducting their own investigation into Lopez’s death. The sheriff’s office plans to cooperate fully with the investigation.