Nicholas Heyward Sr. on the Stolen Lives Project

Housing Officer Brian George, already known in the neighborhood as "Robocop" for his intimidating bravado, was patrolling the Gowanus Houses projects where he encountered several young teenagers in the stairwell playing "cops and robbers" with oversized toy water blasters. His revolver was already drawn as he confronted the youngsters in the stairwell. Upon seeing a cop with a drawn weapon, the kids reacted by declaring, "We�re ONLY playing, we're only playing." For 13 year old honor student Nicholas Heyward Jr. it was already too late. By then Officer George had already squeezed off several shots from his gun. Nicholas Jr. died on the scene.