June 11--An Ohio judge found probable cause to bring criminal charges against the Cleveland police officer who shot and killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice last November, an attorney told the Los Angeles Times on Thursday.
Cleveland Municipal Judge Ronald Adrine found probable cause to charge Officer Timothy Loehmann with "murder, reckless homicide, negligent homicide, involuntary manslaughter and dereliction of duty," according to Michael Nelson, an attorney for a group of citizens who asked the court to bring charges earlier in the week.
Nelson also told The Times that Adrine found probable cause to charge Loehmann's partner, Frank Garmback, with negligent homicide and dereliction of duty.
A city prosecutor must review the judge's ruling and decide whether to file charges.
"This is the first positive step toward justice for this family," Nelson said.
Loehmann shot Tamir twice while responding to a call about someone waving a gun in a Cleveland neighborhood. The 911 caller told police that the person was probably a child and that the gun was probably fake, but that information was not relayed to the rookie officer.
Video of the incident shows Garmback driving his police cruiser close to Rice. Loehmann got out of the car and opened fire almost immediately.
Rice's death was being investigated by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department, which turned over its investigation to the prosecutor's office earlier this month. That investigation remains open.
This is a breaking news story. We will update as more details become available
