Protesters Demand Video As Cops Say Teen Shot Himself

CHICAGO, IL — Over the weekend, community members were in disbelief after police said a teenage boy shot himself in the head during a police chase Friday night in Lawndale. Chicago police said the chase started just before 7 p.m. after officers saw the 15-year-old boy, later identified as Steven Rosenthal, had a gun in the 1500 block of South Keeler.

"Officers attempted to question him when he led them on a brief foot pursuit," police said. "Shortly afterwards, he tragically used the weapon on himself and has been pronounced."

• Dozens Gather On West Side To Mourn Death Of Steven Rosenthal

Rosenthal was transported in critical condition to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

On Sunday, protesters and family members gathered to mourn Rosenthal and called for the release of any police bodycam or other video of the shooting, saying they do not believe the teen shot himself. The Chicago Office of Police Accountability is investigating and said it will eventually release the video, according to WGN.

Over the weekend, residents expressed disbelief that Rosenthal killed himself.

“I don’t believe he would shoot himself," a friend told the Chicago Sun-Times. "He just wouldn’t do something like that.”

Rosenthal's basketball coach at Crane Medical Prep High School, described Rosenthal as a teen with a big heart who recently dealt with the loss of his mother.

Another coach, Ben Rubin, called Rosenthal's death "another life senselessly lost too early."

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