Jackie Johnson – 16 yrs. old

 June 1, 1972 *

Jackie Johnson

jackie-johnson

DEMOGRAPHICS
Black, Male, 16

LOCATION
South End, Boston

ARMED
Unarmed

CLASSIFICATION
Gunshot

POLICE DEPARTMENT
Boston Police Department


Johnson, a 16-year-old, was shot and killed by a Boston policeman in the South End while running away from authorities.

Johnson was spotted climbing into the back window of a home, according to the Globe. Johnson fled the home with “the proceeds of the crime’’ in hand and ran toward a double gate, the Globe said:

“A police officer screamed ‘Halt.’ Finally, police said, he fired a warning shot.

The youth was perched at the top of the fence.

The officer fired again.

Seconds later, Jackie was dead.’’

The bullet hit Johnson in the neck, police said, and he was declared dead shortly after being admitted to the hospital. He did not have a weapon.

Afterwards, Boston police said the shooting appeared to be justified. “There was a young man caught in the act of committing a felony, and there was no other means of apprehending him,’’ Superintendent William Bradley said. “It appears that all other means of preventing his escape had passed the police officer. He took this means of apprehending him.’’

STATUS Ruled Justified


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