'He murdered my son in cold blood' said mother of teen shot by Pennsylvania officer

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Monday, June 25, 2018
Teen shot to death in Pittsburgh by police to be laid to rest
Demands for answers to why an officer shot Antwon Rose Jr. seconds after he bolted from a car grew with an emotional speech by state Rep. Jake Wheatley.

SWISSVALE, Pennsylvania (KTRK) -- Funeral services are being held Monday for a black teenager shot and killed by a white police officer when he fled a traffic stop in Pennsylvania last week.

Hundreds of mourners are expected to attend the service for Antwon Rose Jr. at the Woodland Hills Intermediate School in Swissvale.

The 17-year-old was killed Tuesday after police in the town of East Pittsburgh stopped a car officials say matched a vehicle wanted in a shooting in a nearby town. The shooting remains under investigation. No charges have been filed.

"He murdered my son in cold blood," Michelle Kenney told ABC News exclusively. "If he has a son, I pray his heart never has to hurt the way mine does," Kenney said of the police officer. "But I think he should pay for taking my son's life. I really do."

The case is among several across the country in recent years that have ignited a national debate over race and policing.

Antwon's shooting has sparked numerous street protests, although community members scheduled no protests Monday out of respect for the family. The protests are expected to resume Tuesday.

Antwon was a passenger in a car pulled over by Officer Michael Rosfeld. As Rosfeld was taking the driver into custody, Antwon and a second passenger fled. A video taken from a nearby house shows them running from the car.

Three gunshots can be heard, and the passengers can be seen either falling or crouching as they pass between houses. It is unclear from the video if Rosfeld yelled for them to stop.

Rosfeld, 30, told WTAE-TV he could not discuss the shooting but said he was getting a lot of support from law enforcement. He is on administrative leave during the investigation.

Authorities said two handguns were retrieved from the car, and District Attorney Stephen Zappala said an empty gun clip was found in Antwon's pocket.

Lawyers for his family have said no evidence has been produced to show Antwon posed a threat to police.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.