Chicago protesters organise march after police officers shoot dead black teenager Pierre Loury
Police say they found a gun at the scene despite boy's mother claiming he did not have one
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Your support makes all the difference.More than 100 protestors took to the streets of Chicago after a police officer shot dead a black teenager.
Pierre Loury, 16, was shot on Monday evening in what police described as an “armed confrontation”, although the boy’s family insisted he did not have a gun.
Demonstrations began at the site of the shooting on Tuesday after coroners said the teenager died at Mount Sinai Hospital.
The incident began when a police patrol vehicle saw a car matching the description of one involved in an earlier shooting.
After attempting to stop the car, a man ran from the passenger side and an officer chased him.
“A foot pursuit ensued and led to an armed confrontation between the offender and the police officer, resulting in the officer firing shots with his service weapon,” Eugene Roy of Chicago Police said.
Police said a gun was found at the scene, but have not said if Loury fired any shots, ABC 7 Chicago reported. Police said Loury had gang ties and a previous record.
However his family insisted he did not have a firearm.
“No, he didn’t have a gun,” Tambrasha Hudson, the boy’s mother said. “He was loving, caring."
The officer has not been identified, but has reportedly been removed from patrol duties while the incident is investigated.
Mr Loury’s death is the third fatal police shooting in Chicago this year.
The shooting comes after police released footage captured on a police car dashcam of a white officer shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in 2014.
The footage led to Jason Van Dyke being charged with first degree murder in December, after shooting the teenager 16 times.
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