U.S. Attorney to Probe Police Shooting of Teen

WASHINGTON - The United States attorney's office will investigate this week's fatal shooting of a 14-year-old by an off-duty D.C. police officer.

Officer James Haskel, investigating a report that someone burglarized his home, fatally shot and killed Deonte Rawlins who was riding a stolen mini bike Monday night. Haskel and another D.C. officer, Anthony Clay, were in plain clothes and in a civilian vehicle when they drove around hoping to find the bike stolen from Haskel's garage in Southeast.

Police Chief Cathy Lanier says the officers saw the teen on the bike and approached him to question him.

"As soon as the officer pulled up next to the mini bike, that person then opened fire, striking the officer's vehicle at least once. An additional two rounds were fired -- that we're sure of," says Lanier, during a Tuesday news conference. "The officer returned fire, striking the decedent one time in the head."

Lanier says the officer did not have time to identify himself before the shooting occurred. Lanier says only Haskel opened fire, shooting eight rounds. Rawlins allegedly shot three rounds.

But police have not recovered the gun that he allegedly used, nor the bike, and the boy's family is questioning the police account.

Rawlins later died at a local hospital.

Haskel, 44, and Clay, 43, each have more than 20 years experience on the force.

Lanier and D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty say they invited the federal investigation to make sure all questions are answered and the appropriate action is taken. Fenty says he want to reassure the family and the public that they can trust the Metropolitan Police Department.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office tells WTOP the investigation could take six months.

(Copyright 2007 by WTOP Radio and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)