Shooting victim's mum speaks out

The mother of a 15-year-old boy shot dead by police has told of her grief for a
cherished "fragile, loving and loyal" son.
Speaking to media at her Northcote home, Sharni Cassidy said son Tyler was "not a
violent person".
And she pleaded with the public and media "to show restraint" in commenting on the
events leading up to his death.
Tyler Cassidy was shot and killed by three officers in a Melbourne skate park after
allegedly threatening to kill them with two knives.
"I cherish my son," Ms Cassidy said.
"He was a fragile boy, loving, loyal, spirited, adventurous, he was a boy with needs
and wants and needed protection."
"I was supposed to provide that and I failed to provide that two nights ago," she
said, sobbing while reading from a prepared statement.
Blake, 19, Tyler's older brother, stood by her side, his arm around his mum.
"Tyler loved his brother Blake ... he had a great relationship with his brother and
looked up to his brother for advice and guidance."
Ms Cassidy spoke of how she called the police 30 minutes before the shooting and
gave a description of her son's appearance, age and the direction he was heading in.
She told police he was clearly distressed and asked to be phoned when he was found
safely.
That call never came, she said.
"As a mother (who has) given birth to this child, my baby, this has destroyed me.
"My darling son, I will give my best to find the truth and bring it to your grave, I
don't want any mother to go through what I've gone through in the last 48 hours.
"Tyler was a great kid, very much loved, as Blake and I have come to terms with what
happened we ask the media and public to now show some restraint on speculating on
the events that led up to my son's death." she concluded.
Tyler was believed to have been upset over the anniversary of his father's death
from cancer two years ago.
An outpouring of grief and messages of love have been placed on Tyler's pages on
social networking websites.
Friends have spoken at length of their distress.
The shooting is being investigated by both the Victoria Police and the police union.