Jerri Hrubes stands next to her son DJ during a news conference Friday, June 7, 2019, in Salt Lake City. Hrubes is calling for an independent investigation after she says a police officer pointed a gun at her 10-year-old son's head in what she calls a racially motivated incident. Hrubes said that a white Woods Cross police officer pulled his gun on her son, DJ, who is black, while he was playing on the front lawn Thursday, June 6, 2019. She says the officer came back to apologize after she called to complain, but that she wants the officer and the agency held accountable. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Utah will investigate case of police drawing gun on child

By The Associated Press June 14, 2019 at 3:00pm

WOODS CROSS, Utah (AP) — An attorney for a Utah police department where a white officer drew his gun on a 10-year-old black child says Utah law enforcement will investigate the incident.

Attorney Heather White said Friday the Utah Department of Public Safety has agreed to investigate possible criminal charges against the Woods Cross police officer and evaluate whether he acted with racial bias or unnecessary force.

A lawyer for the child’s mother says she is thrilled the state will investigate.

Mother Jerri Hrubes has said the officer pulled his gun on 10-year-old DJ as he played on his grandmother’s lawn last week.

Police Chief Chad Soffe said the officer used good judgment when he mistook the child for a potential suspect during a chase.

Protesters are planning a demonstration Friday to demand the officer be fired.

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