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Citation

Being Skeptical of Sources is a Journalist’s Job – But it Doesn’t Always Happen When Those Sources are the Police

Author:
Kilgo, Danielle
Publication:
MinnPost
Year:
2021

The death of 13-year-old Adam Toledo might well have made international headlines on March 29, 2021 – the day he was shot and killed by a police officer – had the emerging narrative been different.

Instead, early news reports of the incident relied on a police statement, which said Toledo died in an “armed confrontation.” An image of a gun recovered at the scene was also released. During a bond hearing for the man who had been with Toledo when the chase began, prosecutors said a gun was in Toledo’s hand when police shot him dead.