An East Pittsburgh police officer was arrested and charged Wednesday morning with criminal homicide in connection with the shooting death of 17-year-old Antwon Rose Jr., who reportedly fled while unarmed during a traffic stop last week.
The officer, 30-year-old Michael Rosfeld was put on administrative leave June 19, NPR reports. The incident led to public outrage across the country, and sparked several protests in the Pittsburgh area.
City police have closed Grant Street for noon protest outside of courthouse of fatal shooting of Antwon Rose by East Pittsburgh police officer pic.twitter.com/hJU0gkNt6V
— Bob Mayo (@BMayo_WTAE) June 21, 2018
Adding fuel to fire, Rosfeld was released after posting a $250,000 bond, according to court records, igniting yet another social media firestorm regarding the circumstances of Rose’s death. The teen was reportedly shot three times as he attempted to flee from a vehicle police had just pulled over, according to NPR.
“He should never again be allowed to be a cop or even a security guard!,” Danielle Carrigan Jackson reacted to the news via Facebook.
Washington D.C. radio personality Donnie Simpson expressed concern on the social media platform that Rosfeld won’t be convicted. He stated; “The Pittsburgh cop who killed a 17-year-old Antwon Rose, turned himself in this morning. He faces one count of homicide. We always see charges, but never convictions. So I feel like I’ve seen this movie already, but I keep watching with hopes that one day they’ll show an alternative ending.”
According to an affidavit obtained by CNN, Rosfeld initially told detectives during an interview that he saw “something dark” that he thought to be a gun. However, when he was questioned again, the suspect allegedly denied seeing a gun. When confronted about the inconsistencies between the two interviews, he is alleged to have claimed seeing “something” in Rose’s hand.
According to The New York Times, Rosfeld turned himself in at about 7 a.m. before being booked into an Allegheny County jail. About an hour later, he was released after posting bail.
Prosecutors fought for Rosfeld to be denied bail, but to no avail, The New York Times reports.
“We believe the magisterial district judge’s ruling on bail was improper but we do not plan on contesting it at this time,” a spokesperson for the district attorney said, according to the newspaper.
Homicide charge for Rosfeld. Quite an accomplishment.
Getting a jury to convict him is a different
ballgame. Bail is patently illegal.
Zappala's refusal to contest magistrate's ruling
tells us how vigorously he'll prosecute..
That surprises no one in Pittsburgh.#AntwonRose— Pat O'Malley (@PatOMalley8) June 27, 2018
Court records indicate that a preliminary hearing into the tragic matter is scheduled for July 6 at 10 a.m.
[Feature Photo: Michael Rosfeld/ Allegheny County Police Department; Antwon Rose Jr./ Facebook]
