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“Why Did You Shoot My Baby?”: Bodycam Footage Shows CA Deputy Killing Autistic Teen Ryan Gainer

HeadlineMar 15, 2024

In California, authorities have released body-camera footage showing the moments before deputies shot and killed 15-year-old Ryan Gainer. Gainer, a Black boy with autism, was holding a gardening tool at the time. Video of the second deputy to arrive shows just eight-and-a-half seconds passed from when he exited his vehicle to when he shot at the teen. Distraught family members can be heard asking, “Why did you shoot my baby?” and “Where is your Taser?” The family’s lawyer said at least two of the officers on the scene were familiar with Ryan Gainer and would have known he did not pose a threat.

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