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US police tape (symbolic image)

Photo: ANDRI TAMBUNAN / AFP

A case of fatal police shooting shakes southern California.

Authorities in Apple Valley, east of Los Angeles, said 15-year-old Ryan G. was fatally shot.

Accordingly, he was holding a 1.50 meter long garden tool in his hand and approached an officer.

At least one shot was then fired.

G. was hit and later died in hospital.

According to the family, the black teenager was diagnosed with autism.

According to the family's lawyer, the deadly escalation was not appropriate to the situation.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office released portions of the 911 call and clips of officers' body camera footage.

The British “Guardian” reports on this, among others.

However, it cannot be seen what exactly happened at the moment the shot was fired.

According to the newspaper, in the emergency call a woman can be heard explaining that her brother had attacked another sister.

He also tried to break open a window and a door.

According to the Guardian, one of the videos shows Ryan G. running towards the house and the police officer with an object in his hand.

He shouts: "Go back or I'll shoot." The police officer runs away shortly afterwards.

Lawyer: Shots not an appropriate response

A video from another police officer is said to show the same scene from a different perspective.

G. appears to be lifting the garden tool over his head.

The family's lawyer, DeWitt Lacy, explained: "It is very questionable whether lethal force is appropriate against a 15-year-old autistic person who is going through an acute phase." The entire video material is needed, the lawyer continued.

The police have already stated that they do not want to take this step.

“It doesn’t seem as if anyone was in immediate danger of being injured or even killed,” lawyer Lacy continued.

He also explained that the police waited too long to provide first aid after the shooting.

The sheriff's office, however, said officers "quickly provided medical assistance."

Sheriff Shannon Dicus also said: "Our social safety net must be strengthened for those affected by mental illness. Our police forces are called to an overwhelming number of calls every day. Most of them end non-violently. Unfortunately, this case ended tragically for Ryan ., his family and the police forces on site."

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