The family of the 14-year-old boy shot to death by a Baltimore City Police officer has asked Gov. Robert Ehrlich to order a state investigation into the teenager?s death.
Kevin Cooper was shot Aug. 12 by Officer Roderick Mitter during a domestic disturbance involving the boy?s mother.
“I do not understand how the police officer could have been in jeopardy,” said the family?s attorney, Neal Janey, in a letter sent to Ehrlich?s chief counsel, Jervis Finney.
Police said Cooper threatened the officer with “jagged broom handle” while approaching the officer in a threatening manner, forcing the officer to shoot Cooper in the right shoulder.
Cooper?s family said the officer provoked the boy, who was holding a plastic dust handle.
Janey said the family has requested an independent investigation by the state prosecutor and Maryland State Police. Janey said the inconsistencies in police accounts, as well as attempts by the department to “smear” Cooper, requires an outside investigation.
In the letter, Janey also took issue with police attempts to discredit Cooper after the shooting.
“The other distributing aspect of the incident is the needless intrusion and public disclosure police have made of personal, private and privileged information about the child?s so-called suspected drug usage,” Janey wrote. “This is outrageous and morally offensive.”
Janey went on to cite several comments by the police who he said suggested Cooper was mentally ill and a drug addict.
“Because of Baltimore City?s no-tolerance policing policies and other incidents of aggressive behavior, I think it is most appropriate for the governor to intervene,” Janey wrote.
Ehrlich?s counsel could not be reached for comment Monday.
