Autopsy Shows Boy Killed in Police Chase Was Shot in Back
A 12-year-old boy who died after a police chase was shot in the back, according to autopsy results released Thursday.
Michael Ellerbe was shot and killed Tuesday after crashing a stolen vehicle in Uniontown, about 40 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.
Police said two troopers chased Ellerbe after he tried to run away. During the foot chase, shots were fired and Ellerbe was struck in the heart by a bullet. He died later at a hospital.
The coroner said the autopsy showed Ellerbe had been shot in the back.
State police, who have placed troopers Juan Curry and Samuel Nassan on administrative leave, refused to discuss the shooting Thursday and have not released additional information, including whether authorities believed Ellerbe was armed.
Michael Hickenbottom, the boy’s father, acknowledged his son would disappear from the home at times but said, “Michael was not a problem child.”
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