Google to fix map image showing slain Bay Area boy
Google says it will replace a Google Maps image after a Bay Area father said it shows the body of his teenage son, who was shot to death in 2009.
Richmond resident Jose Barrera said he discovered the image, visible on Google Maps’ satellite view feature, last week, KTLA-TV Channel 5 reported.
“When I see this image, it’s still like that happened yesterday,†Barrera told KTVU-TV in Oakland. “And that brings me back to a lot of memories.â€
Kevin Barrera, 14, was killed in August 2009. Police discovered his body near a railroad track in Richmond.
His killer has not been found.
“Our hearts go out to the family of this young boy,†Brian McClendon, vice president of Google Maps, said Monday in a written statement. “Google has never accelerated the replacement of updated satellite imagery from our maps before, but given the circumstances we wanted to make an exception in this case.â€
McClendon said replacing the image will take about eight days and that Google has spoken to the Barrera family “to let them know we’re working hard on the update.â€
The image, which was still accessible on Google Maps on Monday afternoon, shows a police cruiser and a small group of people standing near what appears to be a prone human form near a set of train tracks.
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