Cops Say Teen Pointed Toy Gun at Them Before They Shot Him to Death

Witnesses dispute their account

SANTA ROSA, Calif. — Dozens of people marched through the Santa Rosa neighborhood where a 13 year old boy was shot and killed by one of two Sonoma County sheriff's deputies, after the deputies mistakenly thought the toy rifle was a real assault weapon.

Santa Rosa Police, who are handling the shooting investigation, say the deputies stopped their marked patrol car on Moorland Avenue Tuesday afternoon at 3:14 and told Andy Lopez twice to put down the gun.

Police say Lopez had their backs to the deputies, who didn't realize he was so young.

Instead, they say, Lopez turned with the barrel of the gun pointing toward them.