Police Shot Teenager After His Dad Reported Stolen Truck

Police Shot Teenager After His Dad Reported Stolen Truck
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A teenager was shot dead by police after his dad reported his truck stolen in an attempt to teach his son a lesson for driving off to buy cigarettes.

James Comstock has been left devastated after a police officer shot and killed his 19-year-old son Tyler.

Police say the teenager, from Boone, Iowa, U.S., drove a stolen truck onto the Iowa State University campus on Monday.

Students had to dive out of the way to avoid being run over. Patrol officer Adam McPherson fired six shots into the truck and the teenager later died from two gunshot wounds.

Dad James said: "He took off with my truck. I call the police, and they kill him. It was over a damn pack of cigarettes. I wouldn't buy him none. And I lose my son for that."

Gary Shepley, Tyler's step-grandfather, questioned why police didn't back away from the truck, which belonged to a lawn care company, as suggested by an officer during the chase.

He said: "So he didn't shut the damn truck off, so let's fire six rounds at him? We're confused, and we don't understand."

The family say the teenager was not armed. They also say he was trying to get his life back on track.

Police reported that during the chase with the teenager, Tyler rammed Officer McPherson's car.

Once the truck had stopped, the teenager refused to turn it off and revved the engine.

Six shots were fired into the truck by the officer with two shots killing the young man, according to the medical examiner.

The Comstock family said that Tyler had recently split up with his girlfriend and was trying to get his life together after spending a few days in jail for disorderly conduct.

An investigation into the incident has been launched.