People Are Beyond Angry After This Off-Duty Officer Fired Shots During Altercation With a 13-Year-Old

Warning: this story contains sensitive material.

Anaheim, CA, residents are rallying to show their support for Christian Dorscht, a 13-year-old boy involved in an an altercation with an off-duty LAPD officer who opened fire. On Feb. 21, the teen was on his way home from school when the officer allegedly swore at one of the boy's female friends for being on his property, according to Fusion. Dorscht reportedly stepped in to defend his friend, saying that he was going to sue the man for his comments. The man thought the 13-year-old said "shoot" rather than "sue," so he attempted to detain the teen by force.

An argument ensued, in which the plainclothes officer held onto the teenager's sweatshirt as the boy repeatedly said, "Let me go!" The 13-year-old defended himself, saying, "I didn't do anything to hurt you. All I said was to respect the girl."

Here is a video that captured part of the altercation:

The incident took place on the man's lawn and quickly escalated when another boy got involved and yet another tackled the officer over the bushes. That's when the off-duty cop pulled out his gun and fired it. The Anaheim Police Department is denying claims that the officer fired at the teen, instead saying that witnesses claim the gun was fired into the ground, reports Fusion. No one was hurt by the gunshot.

The video footage surfaced online and went viral, and many internet users expressed their outrage at the "appalling" incident.

Anaheim residents also took the streets to protest against the officer's actions.

The police told local CBS 8 station that two teens involved in the original altercation were arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor battery and assault and making criminal threats and released to their parents. Dorscht's father Johnny Dorscht said the family has not decided what legal action they will take against the cop, according to Fusion, but that "something's going to happen because this is not right." He is also calling for police to put themselves in his shoes, asking, "If that was your kid in the video and you knew your kid was doing the right thing, how would you feel?"

The LAPD announced that it's investigating the entire incident and that the officer is now on administrative leave. Supporters of Dorscht have set up a crowdfunding page to raise money for him to "be a kid again."