DamianTV
12-11-2013, 03:34 AM
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Deputy-who-killed-13-year-old-back-to-work-5049199.php
The Sonoma County sheriff's deputy who shot and killed a 13-year-old boy outside Santa Rosa after mistaking the youth's toy gun for a real rifle was expected to return to work this week, according to a published report.
Erick Gelhaus has been on leave since the Oct. 22 shooting of Andy Lopez Cruz, who was carrying a replica AK-47 pellet gun near his home.
Gelhaus went through a mental health screening and is returning to desk duty, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported. The sheriff's office did not return calls from The Chronicle seeking comment.
Critics of Gelhaus, outraged that the deputy will be back on the job, are planning to march in protest Tuesday evening. They said the department should wait until outside investigations of the incident by Santa Rosa police and the county district attorney's office are complete.
"To return Gelhaus to work is such an insult to the community," said Jonathan Melrod, one of the protest organizers. "Many people view this as salt in the wound because of the nature of what happened, the killing of a child."
Andy's family has filed a federal lawsuit alleging civil rights violations.
Santa Rosa police officials said Gelhaus ordered Andy to drop the rifle, which did not have the orange tip that toy guns are required to have under federal law. Andy did not drop the gun, police said, and when he turned toward the officers, Gelhaus fired eight times, fearing for his life.
The Sonoma County sheriff's deputy who shot and killed a 13-year-old boy outside Santa Rosa after mistaking the youth's toy gun for a real rifle was expected to return to work this week, according to a published report.
Erick Gelhaus has been on leave since the Oct. 22 shooting of Andy Lopez Cruz, who was carrying a replica AK-47 pellet gun near his home.
Gelhaus went through a mental health screening and is returning to desk duty, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported. The sheriff's office did not return calls from The Chronicle seeking comment.
Critics of Gelhaus, outraged that the deputy will be back on the job, are planning to march in protest Tuesday evening. They said the department should wait until outside investigations of the incident by Santa Rosa police and the county district attorney's office are complete.
"To return Gelhaus to work is such an insult to the community," said Jonathan Melrod, one of the protest organizers. "Many people view this as salt in the wound because of the nature of what happened, the killing of a child."
Andy's family has filed a federal lawsuit alleging civil rights violations.
Santa Rosa police officials said Gelhaus ordered Andy to drop the rifle, which did not have the orange tip that toy guns are required to have under federal law. Andy did not drop the gun, police said, and when he turned toward the officers, Gelhaus fired eight times, fearing for his life.