From our media partners at WOOD TV8...
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A 12-year-old, 14-year-old and 16-year-old are in juvenile detention accused of gun crimes while walking in a group on Grand Rapids’ southeast side.
It started March 24 when police responding to a report of armed teens led to them being detained at gunpoint by officers and made to lay on the ground. It turned out none of the young men had a gun.
The incident was video recorded and posted on social media, sparking outrage in the minority community. They claimed the actions of the police were based on race and were not proportionate to the situation.
GRPD Police Chief David Rahinsky apologized, but said the officers acted professionally and the police union defended the officer's actions.
“We have never, nor will we ever, fail in our duty to protect the public, given the information we are handed and the circumstances we find ourselves in,” union leaders wrote in a statement.
The 16-year-old was arrested for reckless discharge of a firearm, the 14-year-old was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon and the 12-year-old was arrested for violating a city ordinance of possession of a firearm.
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Photo source credit: WOOD TV8