Minnesota police shoot, kill 'suicidal' teen, but questions surround officers' use of lethal force

Residents in Chanhassen, Minnesota, are mourning the loss of a teenage boy who was shot and killed by police last Friday after his parents called 911.

Now, the community is asking questions, such as why police used deadly force on the 16-year-old high school athlete.

What happened?

According to WCCO-TV, the boy's mother called police to their residence Friday morning because her son, Archer Amorosi, was enraged his parents had taken away his car. She told dispatchers her son was suicidal, and that he was threatening her with a baseball bat and knives.

It isn't clear what happened once two Carver County sheriff’s deputies arrived at the residence. The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is investigating the incident, said after Amorosi brandished various weapons, the deputies deployed their tasers.

Then they shot the boy multiple times, killing him. It's not clear what prompted officers to use lethal force.

According to the Star Tribune, the boy's father also called 911 the previous day over similar outrage Amorosi expressed over losing his driving privileges. The father explained Amorosi had not been taking his depression medication as prescribed.

It's also not clear if there is video footage of the shooting. Carver County sheriff's deputies do not wear body cameras, but vehicle dashcam footage may help provide answers, WCCO reported.

Both officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.

What was the reaction to the shooting?

According to WCCO, the community immediately began to pour out support for the star football and lacrosse athlete.

The Minnetonka High School lacrosse team posted on Twitter:

Similarly, Minnetonka principle Jeff Erickson wrote in a letter to parents that the situation is "heartbreaking."

"This situation is heartbreaking, and I want to extend my thoughts and prayers to Archer’s parents and family, his friends, and the entire Minnetonka High School community. I know this situation is particularly devastating to those of you who knew Archer well," he wrote, according to the Star Tribune.