SLATYFORK, W.Va. (AP) — Timothy Loehmann, the former Cleveland police officer responsible for the fatal shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice in 2014, has been dismissed from his recent position as a ranger at the Snowshoe Resort Community District in West Virginia. This marks the fourth occasion in seven years that Loehmann has exited a small police department amid public criticism and backlash.
The district's board officially announced Loehmann's firing following an emergency meeting held on Friday. This decision comes as part of ongoing consequences stemming from his controversial past, particularly regarding the Rice case, which has significantly influenced discussions on police conduct and systemic racism in the United States.
Subodh Chandra, an attorney representing Rice’s family, voiced strong opinions on Loehmann's hiring practices. He described Loehmann’s actions as demonstrating a “pathological” need to involve himself with the public, criticizing the poor judgment of any officials who choose to employ him. Chandra's remarks underscore the broader implications of Loehmann’s continued attempts to secure roles in law enforcement despite his history.
On November 22, 2014, Tamir Rice, who was Black, was playing with a pellet gun outside a recreation center in Cleveland when he was shot and killed by Loehmann just seconds after Loehmann and his partner arrived at the scene. The officers reported that Loehmann shouted at Rice three times to raise his hands before the shooting occurred. The incident drew national attention and sparked outrage regarding the treatment of Black individuals by law enforcement agencies.
This incident led to further scrutiny when a grand jury determined not to indict Loehmann or his partner, igniting widespread protests and discussions about police violence. In the aftermath, the city of Cleveland reached a settlement over Rice’s death, amounting to $6 million. Following these events, Loehmann was dismissed from his position due to false statements made on his application to join the police force.
Despite his dismissal, Loehmann attempted to return to law enforcement in 2018 by applying for a part-time role with a police department in southeast Ohio. However, he withdrew his application shortly after facing criticism from Tamir Rice’s mother and others within the community. His efforts to continue his career in law enforcement faced similar challenges when he became the only police officer in Tioga, Pennsylvania, in 2022 but resigned amid backlash shortly thereafter.
In 2022, Loehmann also took on a probationary officer position in White Sulphur Springs City, West Virginia, but resigned from this role as well, resulting in the subsequent resignation of the police chief who had hired him. This series of events highlights the ongoing issues surrounding Loehmann’s professional history and the continued impact of the Tamir Rice case on his career prospects.
