Ohio Police Claim Teen Handcuffed In Squad Car Shot Himself To Death

Source: Threeblur0

Police said the Ohio teen reportedly shot himself in the head while seated in the back of a police car with his hands handcuffed behind his back.

In a report from Cleveland.com, 17-year-old Xavier McMullen, died Friday night while in custody with Akron, Ohio police. From Cleveland.com:

The teen was arrested earlier in the evening in connection with a robbery when he shot himself in the head while seated in the back of a patrol car, the Summit County Medical Examiner said Monday.

Greg Wiley, McMullen's older brother, does not believe the account the police officers offered, considering McMullen's hands were handcuffed behind his back when the death occurred.

"I don't believe he killed himself. I can't," Wiley said. "But maybe, if he had a gun on him, he was trying to get it off of him and while wiggling and struggling, the trigger pulled. I'd understand a gunshot wound to his back, stomach, something like that. But not the head - how is that possible?"

READ: Chicago Cop Who Shot At Car 16 Times Found Guilty Of Excessive Force

On Monday, Akron police Capt. Jesse Leeser did not say if officers searched McMullen for weapons before they arrested him. He also declined to discuss the department's procedures for pat-downs.

The death happened after McMullen was arrested alongside fellow teenagers Matthew Allen and Anthony Criss (both 18), following a robbery that took place in Akron. Allen and Criss have been charged with aggravated robbery. However, none of the six officers who were at the scene are on administrative leave.

"Enough violence is going on around us. We want the real truth," Wiley said. "Someone needs to pay the consequences. There needs to be justice."

Source: cleveland.com