Killing of Antwon Rose Jr.

Antwon Rose II was a 17-year-old African-American who was fatally shot in East Pittsburgh on June 19, 2018, by police officer Michael Rosfeld after being suspected of attempted murder by participating in a drive-by shooting. According to the police report, Rose had an empty handgun magazine in his pocket and gunshot residue on his hand. Allegheny County Medical Examiner Daniel Wolfe said the residue was likely the result of Rose firing a gun. He was transported to UPMC McKeesport where he was later declared deceased.

Following the shooting, Rosfeld was charged with criminal homicide, and was found not guilty. In August 2018 Rose’s family filed a civil rights lawsuit against Rosfeld and the borough of East Pittsburgh. The family alleged racial bias, lack of training, and use of excessive force. The suit was settled in October 2019 for $2 million.

Background

Rose was 17 years old when he died. He had worked as a community volunteer and was a student at Woodland Hills High School, where he took Advanced Placement classes. According to the family attorney, Rose had no significant criminal record prior to his death. His mother had been a clerk for another police department. His maternal grandfather had been a police officer for more than 35 years in a different jurisdiction.

Rosfeld, the officer involved in this shooting, had been sworn in to the East Pittsburgh Police Department only a few hours before the shooting, and trained with the department for three weeks prior. He had seven years experience with other police departments, including those in the Pennsylvania towns of Oakmont and Harmar, and the University of Pittsburgh. Rosfeld left the University of Pittsburgh “after discrepancies were found between one of his sworn statements and evidence in an arrest.“