Bakersfield police shoot pensioner carrying crucifix

California police have shot dead a 73-year-old dementia sufferer thinking he had a gun, only to find he was carrying a crucifix.

Reports say officers opened fire at Francisco Serna a retired father-of-five seconds after he was pointed out to them.
 
Police said he refused a command to take his hands out of his pockets, after neighbours had complained he was threatening people and might be armed. 

A 2015 study rated Bakersfield Police Department as the deadliest in the US.
 
Mr Serna's family said the shooting was murder.

Serna's daughter said found it difficult to accept that her father's life ended so brutally, abruptly and with such excessive violence.
 
SOURCE: BBC NEWS