Cop charged with criminal homicide in shooting death of black teen; report details gruesome injuries

Authorities have charged East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld with criminal homicide in the fatal shooting of black teen Antwon Rose.

What's the background?

Rosfeld pulled over a vehicle on June 19 after it had reportedly been linked to a nonfatal drive-by shooting in another part of town earlier that evening.

Fox News reported that Rosfeld placed the vehicle’s driver in handcuffs, and around this time, 17-year-old Rose — who would later die from multiple gunshot wounds — and another passenger fled on foot.

The outlet reported that the suspects had not opened fire on police officers, but the officer reportedly shot Rose as he ran, striking him three times. Rose was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died.

Allegheny County Police Superintendent Coleman McDonough said that the incident was under investigation and Rosfeld was put on leave, as per protocol.

McDonough noted that two guns were found in the vehicle after police executed a search.

Video of the incident was shared widely on the internet, and the teen’s shooting death prompted days of protests, continuing even into this week.

(Content warning: graphic footage)

What's happening now?

Pennsylvania prosecutors charged Rosfeld with criminal homicide on Wednesday in Rose's death, according to court records.

According to the criminal complaint filed, Rosfeld reportedly shot Antwon in the face, in the middle of his back, and in his right arm.

The complaint also said that Rosfeld had made inconsistent statements about whether he believed Antwon was armed at the time of the fatal shooting.

According to Pennsylvania state code,  "criminal homicide" is when a person "intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or negligently causes the death of another human being."

Rosfeld was arraigned on Wednesday morning. His bail was set at $250,000, according to court records, and a preliminary hearing is slated on July 6.

What else?

District Attorney of Allegheny County, Stephen A. Zappala, detailed the homicide charges filed against Rosfeld during a Wednesday news conference live streamed on Facebook.