US: White officer charged with killing black teen

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - A police officer in the state of Pennsylvania was charged Wednesday with criminal homicide for the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old black teenager.

Michael Rosfeld fatally shot Antwon Rose Jr., 17, on June 19 while was responding to a reported drive-by shooting in east Pittsburgh. Police say he pulled over a vehicle that matched the description of the one involved in the shooting when Rose Jr. and Zaijuan Hester, also 17, fled the scene on foot.

Mobile phone footage of the ensuing shooting appears to show Rosfeld firing at the duo as they fled, fatally shooting Rose Jr. three times in the back.

As with several prior police-involved shootings of unarmed black men and teenagers, the killing has prompted widespread public outcry over the use of fatal force by police officers as demonstrators demand justice.

Rosfeld, who is white, has been on administrative leave since the shooting occurred and is currently in police custody, according to court records.

While charges against a police officer involved in the killing of unarmed suspects are rare, even rarer still are convictions.

Rosfeld is schedule to have a preliminary hearing before a judge Wednesday morning. A press conference is schedule shortly thereafter at 11 a.m. local time (1500GMT).

Bail has been set at $250,000.