A 17-year-old boy who was shot dead from behind by a police officer had just stolen a handgun, according to the police department in question. Justus Howell was gunned down from behind by an officer in Zion, Illinois on Saturday afternoon after officers were called to reports of an argument. The chief of the Zion Police Department has now said that the argument was in fact a scuffle over a handgun - during which the firearm went off and Howell allegedly pointed it at another teenager. Killed: Justus Howell, 17, was shot twice in the back by police in Zion, Illinois, on Saturday afternoonJustus Howell was shot dead on Saturday afternoon in Zion, IllinoisPolice now claim he was fleeing after trying to steal a handgunTramond Peet, 18, said he met Howell in Zion in order to sell him the firearmBut claims Howell tried to take it, and pointed weapon at him during scuffle
_ told investigators that he let go of the gun when he heard sirens.