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Arizona teen carrying airsoft gun fatally shot by police

Click to play video: '14-year-old boy dead in Arizona after shot by police after airsoft gun confused for weapon'
14-year-old boy dead in Arizona after shot by police after airsoft gun confused for weapon
WATCH ABOVE: 14-year-old boy dead in Arizona after shot by police after airsoft gun confused for weapon – Jan 17, 2019

TEMPE, Ariz. – Police in a Phoenix suburb say a burglary suspect shot to death by an officer who believed he was armed was a 14-year-old boy not carrying a real gun.

Authorities say officers in the city of Tempe reported a suspect burglarizing a car Tuesday and that he ran away holding what appeared to be a handgun.

Authorities say officers in the city of Tempe, Ariz., shot a teen carrying an airsoft gun, mistaking it for a firearm. CBS affiliate KPHO

During the chase, police say he turned toward the officers. One officer perceived that as a threat and shot the suspect, who died at a hospital.

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Police said Wednesday that the teen had an airsoft gun in his possession as well as some items taken from the vehicle.

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They say the shooting was captured on the officer’s body camera.

The name of the teen and the officer who opened fire haven’t been released.

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