A Newark mom remains horrified after her 10-year-old son was chased by officers who had their guns drawn believing he was a suspect in an armed robbery.
According to WABC, Legend Preston was playing basketball when the ball rolled into the street. The fifth-grader went after the ball, and began being chased by officers. Legend told the news station that he was being chased because he ran into the street without looking.
âI was scared for my life,â Legend said. âI was thinking that they were going to shoot me.â
Newark police acknowledged that the officers did have their guns drawn, but denied that they pointed them at the 10-year-old in an alley.
Witnesses at the scene intervened. ââWhy are yâall chasing him? Yâall got guns out here drawn, yâall chasing him, heâs only a kid.â Iâm like, âThatâs messed up,ââ one witness, Jackie Kelly, said.
Police responded by saying the child “fit the description” of 20-year-old Casey Joseph Robinson, who has dreadlocks and facial hair compared to Legendâs short cut and bare face. Robinson was captured on the next block.
Legendâs mom, Patisha Preston, uploaded a video to her Facebook page showing how upset her child was following the encounter, which occurred earlier this month.
âI knew I had to get some type of documentation,â Solomon said. âWith these police we have to have our batteries fully charged because you never know whatâs going on.â
Under the video she wrote: âMy son is in counselling [sic] even scared to go play because it happened right at our house…You despicable cops have no care for our childten [sic]… My fun loving child is forever changed!!!â
According to WABC, police say that internal affairs is investigating the case.