The Cleveland police officer who fatally shot Tamir Rice in 2014 has been fired — but not for his role in the death of the 12-year-old, officials announced Tuesday.
Former officer Timothy Loehmann was fired “effective immediately” Tuesday after facing administrative charges that he gave false information on his job application to the Cleveland Division of Police, city officials said at a press conference. Officer Frank Garmback, who was driving the patrol car when Rice was killed, was suspended for 10 days, officials said. Garmback is also required to take additional tactical training, for rules violations related to tactics used during the November 2014 incident, where Rice was killed by police outside of a Cleveland recreation center while apparently playing with a pellet gun.
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson offered condolences to Rice’s family, and said Tuesday’s announcements followed an “extensive process.” Chief of Police Calvin Williams said the incident had been “tough on the entire community.” “When this happened in 2014, I made the comment that this is an unfortunate tragedy, but more unfortunate that it happened at the hands of a Cleveland police officer, and we would do everything in our power to ensure an event like this wouldn’t happen again,” Williams said.
The announcement was the result of a review by the department’s critical incident review committee, Williams said. Tamir’s mother, Samaria Rice, said she was “relieved” that Loehmann was fired at a press conference later Tuesday, according to NBC affiliate WKYC.
