Alleged mugger shot by police officer dies

ST. LOUIS -- A 17-year-old shot in the head by the off-duty St. Louis police officer he allegedly tried to rob has died of his injuries.

Police said Eric Eichelberger of St. Louis was taken off life support and died about 4 p.m. Saturday. His mother has requested an investigation, saying her son feared police after previous run-ins with them.

Assistant Police Chief Stephen Pollihan gave this account of the shooting:

The officer was emptying garbage on Friday in his St. Louis neighborhood when Eichelberger pointed a loaded gun at him and demanded his wallet.

After giving the teen his wallet, the officer drew his pistol and told Eichelberger to drop his gun. When he didn't, the officer fired two shots.

Pollihan said the shooting appeared to be justified.

The officer's name has not been released, but police said he was a 35-year veteran of the police force. He has been placed on administrative leave, a standard procedure in shootings involving police officers.

A police spokesman, Richard Wilkes, said the shooting will be investigated.

Eichelberger's mother, April Jones, 37, said there was evidence of concrete burns on Eichelberger's hands and feet, showing he had fought for his life. She said he was shot at close range and was unrecognizable when she saw him.

Jones said Eichelberger was afraid of police and told her last week that they were trying to pin anything they could on him.

A police spokesman on Sunday declined to comment on Jones' allegations because Eichelberger was a juvenile.