COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – A police union leader says the Ohio officer who fatally shot a 13-year-old boy while investigating a reported armed robbery is a well-respected policeman who did what he had to do in that circumstance.

Columbus police say Officer Bryan Mason repeatedly shot Tyre King on Wednesday night after the teen ran from investigators and pulled out a BB gun that looked like a real firearm.

Jason Pappas, the president of the police union representing Mason, said Friday it’s a situation no officer wants to encounter.

The case started with a 911 call about the robbery. Police say officers followed potential suspects into an alley, and Tyre pulled a weapon from his waistband and was shot.

Mason is on administrative leave as the shooting is investigated.