Judge says probable cause exists to charge officer with murder in Tamir Rice case

CLEVELAND – A judge has released his recommendations in the Tamir Rice case.

Judge Ronald Adrine on Thursday recommended that Officer Timothy Loehmann, who fired the fatal shot, should face a murder charge. He found Loehmann should also face a charge of involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide and that Officer Frank Garmack, who was driving the police cruiser, should not.

He found both officers should face charges of negligent homicide and dereliction of duty; he said neither officer should face an aggravated murder charge.

CLICK HERE to read the judge's entire recommendation

According to a municipal court spokesperson, these are only recommendations. The decision is ultimately in the hands of the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office and a Grand Jury.

On Tuesday, community leaders and activists said they want the officers involved in the shooting death of Tamir Rice, 12, arrested on several charges including murder.

Fox 8's Peggy Gallek was in court as eight community activists filed affidavits for probable cause, asking for a judge to issue arrest warrants for the two officers involved.

Police shot and killed Rice last November. They received a call about a male pointing a gun at people outside the Cudell Recreation Center. Investigators found he had an air soft pistol that looked like a powerful handgun.