LAPD Officer Shoots Boy, 15, After Seeing Replica Gun in Hyde Park

A boy was shot by LAPD officers responding at 10th and Florence avenues on Feb. 10, 2015. (Credit: KTLA)

Posted: Feb 12, 2015 / 12:22 PM PST

Updated: Feb 12, 2015 / 12:42 PM PST

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The Los Angeles Police Department said Wednesday that an officer shot and injured a 15-year-old in the back after spotting him in an alley next to someone who appeared to be aiming a handgun.

The weapon turned out to be a replica firearm, said police department spokesman Cmdr. Andrew Smith. The boy was transported to a local hospital and released after treatment.

“It’s certainly an unfortunate situation,” Smith said. “But because of people bringing replica weapons out like that, it certainly could have been a terrible tragedy.”

Around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, two officers were driving in the 7200 block of 10th Avenue (map) when they spotted a group in an alley. A teenager was pointing what police thought was a gun at another person, Smith said.

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