(Photo Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)

Remembering the loss of Tamir Rice

It’s been nearly five years since Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old African-American boy, was shot by Cleveland Police. Rice was playing in a park with a toy gun, which the officers mistook for a real firearm. Now, Rice’s family says they’re honoring their son by creating a Tamir Rice Legacy Fund at the Cleveland Foundation.

The family wants to use the Legacy Fund to set up an arts center where people can learn about and create African-themed art, said Samaria Rice, Tamir’s mother.

“The arts helped Tamir with self-expression and he would want to live in a world that is equitable for all people,” she said. “Our hope is to keep Tamir’s memory alive through the creation of the Tamir Rice Legacy Fund. I am humbled by the outpouring of love and support for Tamir and grateful to everyone who has already contributed.”

The officers who shot Rice were not charged with a crime. An investigation found they had credible fear that Rice was armed with a real gun. However, the city of Cleveland reached a $6 million settlement with the Rice family over their son’s death.

On November 20th, the Tamir Rice Legacy Foundation will host a luncheon to raise money for the new arts center.