Story highlights Los Angeles Police shoot and kill a 14-year-boy while investigating vandalism

Police officials: A witness supports officers' belief the teen fired a pistol at them

(CNN) Los Angeles police shot and killed a 14-year-old boy after he shot at the officers, police said Wednesday.

The department's gang unit was investigating a vandalism call in a neighborhood east of downtown around 5:35 p.m. Tuesday when they encountered two youths. One ran off and two officers pursued, police said.

"According to a witness who saw the subject running from the officers, the witness saw the subject shoot a handgun in the direction of the pursuing officers," said LAPD Deputy Chief Robert Arcos during a news conference. "While the loss of life is always tragic, it is particularly so when the loss involves a youth."

The teenager, identified as Jesse James Romero by the Los Angeles County Coroner, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other suspect did not flee police and he was questioned and released.

Neither officer was harmed, but they heard a gunshot as they were rounding the corner, Arcos said. One of the officers then fired back and killed Romero, Arcos said.

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