Officer cleared in teen's shooting death on Fountain Square

CINCINNATI - An officer who shot and killed a 16-year-old boy on Fountain Square last year, was cleared by the Firearms Discharge Board on Thursday.

Councilmember Cecil Thomas says the FDB, which is made up of other officers within the Cincinnati Police Department, is responsible for reviewing officer involved incidents to see if something could have been done differently. The board cleared Officer Oscar Cyranek of any wrongdoing in the incident.

Last August, 16-year-old Davon Mullins was shot and killed by Officer Cyranek on Fountain Square. According to Police Chief Craig, there were reports of an unknown number of armed youths on Fountain Square. Cyranek responded to the scene where he confronted Mullins.

Surveillance video showed Cyranek confront Mullins and the teen resist the officer's search. A physical altercation began and lasted more than a minute, according to police.

In the video Mullins is seen pulling a firearm from his pocket. Craig said Mullins' finger was on the trigger. At that point, Cyranek drew his firearm and shot Mullins two times in the chest. Mullins is then seen throwing his firearm in the air. Cyranek held Mullins at gunpoint while he retrieved the gun. Mullins was taken to University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

In May of this year, Mullins' family filed a federal lawsuit against the police officers involved in the shooting. It cites Cyranek and lists two other officers as only John and Jane Doe. It says the unnamed officers are the ones who advised that several African-American individuals were seen with guns in the area of Sawyer Point Park, where the annual Black Family Reunion was being held that night.

The lawsuit contends that Mullins' constitutional rights against unlawful search and for equal protection were violated by the officers.  The suit also calls for a jury trial and demands an unspecified amount of damages from the officers.

CPD said Cyranek did not violate any department policies during the incident.

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