Officers found “a pellet/BB-style CO2 rifle” with the 16-year-old, who was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. It appears the man and teen didn’t know each other, police said.

15-shot, .177 caliber BB air pistol Powered by a 12-gram CO2 cartridge (CO2 not included) Shoots .177 caliber steel BBs at up to 410 FPS Integrated Weaver rail for easy mounting of accessories ...

"Mendez Berry was holding what deputies believed to be a firearm," the DOJ said. But it was later determined the man was holding a BB gun.

The court document says the incident stemmed from a drug-related dispute and involved a high-risk traffic stop.