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New York City police shot and killed Khiel Coppin, 18, on Nov. 12, 2007, outside his family's apartment in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn after officers mistook a hairbrush in his hand for a gun.

The confrontation began when Coppin's mother, Denise Owens, called 911 for help with her son, who had been arguing with her inside the Gates Avenue apartment. During the call, Coppin could be heard saying he had a gun, according to police.

Responding officers spoke with Coppin from a distance as he appeared at a window. He then climbed out and moved toward the officers while holding a dark object, police said. Officers opened fire, discharging about 20 rounds. Coppin was struck eight times. The object in his hand was a hairbrush.

Police said Coppin had ignored orders to show his hands and had indicated he was armed. Department officials raised the possibility that he had sought to be shot. Coppin's family rejected that account, saying he was unarmed, posed no threat and that officers had overreacted.

The shooting drew protests in Bedford-Stuyvesant, where demonstrators marched to the local police precinct in the days that followed.