Report: Officer in shooting of 12-year-old boy lacked maturity, had 'dismal' handgun performance



INDEPENDENCE, OHIO -- The police officer who shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice late last month in Ohio lacked maturity and showed a "dangerous loss of composure" during live range training at a previous law enforcement job, records show.

According to FOX8 Cleveland, Timothy Loehmann, a Cleveland police officer involved in the shooting of Rice, resigned from the Independence Police Department in 2012 after being told he was part of a disciplinary process that could lead to his dismissal from Independence.

Records released detailing Loehmann's performance in training  for Independence show in 2012, Loehmann became "distracted and weepy" during a state range qualification course. He could not communicate clear thoughts, FOX8 reports, and his handgun performance was dismal.

In a letter in his personnel file, a deputy chief states that he did not believe Loehmann showed the maturity to work at their department. The letter stressed his “dangerous loss of composure during live range training and his inability to manage personal stress.”

It also added that the deputy chief did not believe “time, nor training” will be able to correct the officer’s deficiencies.

Loehmann resigned from the Independence force in 2012. He was hired by Cleveland in March 2014.

Police say he fired his gun and shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice Nov. 22 in the playground area of Cudell Recreation Center in Cleveland. He said he had ordered Rice to show his, hands but instead the boy reached for his waistband.

Rice had an airsoft pistol that looked like a real gun.