Cleveland police have released video of an officer shooting a 12-year-old who was holding a toy gun.

The video shows Tamir Rice walking outside a recreation center last weekend.

Two officers in a patrol car, responding to a 911 call, drove up to the boy and began shooting  just two seconds later.

Law enforcement say one officer yelled three times from inside the cruiser for the boy to drop what he believed was a real gun.

Rice had an Airsoft replica gun resembling a semi-automatic pistol.

His family released a statement, saying the shooting could've been avoided.

Both officers, Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback are on paid administrative leave.