According to WSBTV Atlanta:
A 10 year-old boy broke down in tears in Newark, New Jersey, after police chased him down, thinking he was an armed robbery suspect, his mother claims.
Legend Preston can be seen crying in a video posted to his mother Patisha Solomon’s Facebook page Aug. 13 after the incident.
When asked why he was nervous, Legend said, “They tried to shoot me […] the cops.”
Solomon said, “A 10-year-old child with guns drawn on him by the Newark police, and the best they can tell me is go make a report if I have something to say about it.”
According to the family, Legend was outside the family’s home when an armed robbery suspect got away. Police then chased Legend through an alley by mistake. They said he “fit the description” of the suspect.
Legend told WABC:
“Some police started coming this way with guns pointed at me, and then I ran into the backyard.”
Solomon said the cops were about to shoot when neighbors came together to make a human shield to protect Legend.
Solomon wrote on Facebook:
Anybody that knows my son knows crying he does not do. He is the ring leading of noise and now he won’t stay off his father’s hip. Scared for his father to leave for work or play outside when he breaks down he says ‘they tried to kill me mommy’ smh.”
The fifth-grader was frightened and shaken up but wasn’t injured.
According to WABC, Newark police say their guns were never pointed at Legend.
The actual suspect, Casey Joseph Robinson, 20, was later captured and charged with attempted robbery.
I have no words. Heartbreaking.
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