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Florida Officer Who Shot Unarmed Therapist Meant to Shoot Autistic Patient Instead

HeadlineJul 22, 2016

And this final news from Florida. In North Miami, the police officer who shot an unarmed African-American therapist trying to calm an autistic patient said he shot the therapist by accident—and that he actually meant to shoot the autistic man, who was cradling a toy truck. Police shot social worker Charles Kinsey in the leg on Monday as he was attempting to help the autistic man, who had wandered away from a group home. In video, Kinsey is seen lying on the ground with his hands in the air, telling the police that he and his patients were unarmed and that they should not shoot them. Police have said they were responding to a 911 call about a man with a gun. But in cellphone video, Kinsey can be heard telling police, “All he has is a toy truck. A toy truck. I am a behavioral therapist at a group home.” John Rivera, president of the Police Benevolent Association in Dade County, said, “It appeared to the officers that the white male was trying to do harm to Mr. Kinsey. In fearing for Mr. Kinsey’s life, the officer discharged his firearm trying to save Mr. Kinsey’s life and he missed.”

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