Oxford High School student Jkhary Charles Craft was shot and killed in Pontiac Aug. 27 by a city police officer who was apparently protecting himself from the armed youth, according to Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe.
‘At this point in time, preliminary indications are the officer acted in self-defense,? he said. ‘Our investigation’s on-going.?
The shooting is being investigated by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department per a request from Pontiac Police.
McCabe confirmed the 14-year-old Pontiac resident was armed with a sawed-off shotgun when the officer shot him at approximately 2:40 p.m. near the rear backyard area of a home within the 100 block of W. Ypsilanti Ave., west of Baldwin Ave.
Someone called Pontiac Police dispatch and reported there were male subjects with guns behind the Little Caesar’s Pizza at the corner of Baldwin and Columbia avenues.
The officer, a 13-year veteran of the Pontiac Police, chased Craft to the area where the shooting occurred.
Craft was pronounced dead at the scene and the weapon was recovered. An autopsy ruled Craft died of a gunshot wound to the chest.
‘He was facing the officer and he had the gun in his hand,? McCabe said.
Craft, who would have turned 15 this month, attended OHS through the Schools of Choice program. ‘Last year was his first year at OHS,? according to an e-mail sent out by OHS Principal Mike Schweig. ‘His dad said he loved attending school at Oxford and was looking forward to going back this year for 10th grade.?
Schweig described Craft as ‘very polite and well-liked around the school.?
‘I actually had a few opportunities to play basketball with him,? he noted. ‘He would stay after school some nights to play some pickup basketball games. I got to know him through that.?
A candlelight vigil will be held for Craft at the Boys and Girls Club (124 W. Columbia Ave.) in Pontiac on Friday, Sept. 4 beginning at 5 p.m.
Thirty-three additional students from Pontiac have enrolled in Oxford schools this fall through the Schools of Choice program, according to Pat Bono, administrative assistant to the superintendent.
Back in January, the school district reported it had 65 students from Pontiac.