The NYPD claimed that 16 year old Kimani had a gun, but Tishana King described Kimani as backing up with his hands in the air when he was shot multiple times. Other witnesses described how the police "stepped over him like he was a chicken" as Kimani bled to death on the street while the NYPD delayed the ambulance. Tishana King's son called 911 to report the shooting and call for an ambulance. When police discovered she witnessed the shooting they interviewed her but pointedly did not ask her if Kimani had a gun in his hands. Later they tried to discredit her account. Kimani was a small boy, mischevious and playful, well loved by family and friends.