DENVER -- Famed criminal defense attorney Johnnie Cochran will represent the family of a 15-year-old mentally disabled boy who was shot and killed by a police officer, 7NEWS reported Wednesday.

"We have a lot of witnesses that say this kid posed no threat to any of the officers or family members, so that's pretty troubling," said Cochran, best known for winning the acquittal of O.J. Simpson on murder charges in the 1994 death of his ex-wife.

"I'm quite concerned about this case. It's probably one that needs to be litigated," Cochran said.

The Denver police officer who shot Paul Childs has been suspended, but the suspension is not because of the fatal shooting, police said Tuesday.

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Officer Jim Turney is being investigated by the Denver Police Department's internal affairs for an alleged law violation. Police are not saying what the violation is, only that it is "not related to the officer-involved shooting."

Childs was shot Saturday afternoon while in his home because he had refused to drop the knife he was holding, police said. Helen Childs, Paul's mother, said he may not have understood the police order.

Turney is now on suspended leave with pay.

7NEWS has learned that Turney may have had contact with Childs before the shooting. Sources said that Turney had brought Childs home before, after he wandered away, but it is unclear whether Turney recognized the boy on the day of the shooting, nor is it clear that he was aware the boy was mentally challenged.

In fact, Childs has walked away many times and Denver officers at District Two had been always been called to help find him, 7NEWS Investigative reporter John Ferrugia said.

That is why when Childs wanted to wander away again and grabbed a knife from the kitchen because he was upset that his mother wouldn't let him leave, the family called 911 again. On the call, Ashley, 16, calmly told police that her brother had a knife and was trying to stab their mother. She said she did not get a chance to tell them that her brother was mentally disabled.

Turney was involved in another fatal shooting in the same neighborhood last January. He and Sgt. Bob Silvas fired simultaneously at an 18-year-old hearing-impaired black man after he pulled out a pocketknife. Gregory L. Smith's family said that Smith wasn't a threat because he was standing at the bottom of the stairwell while the officers were at the top of the stairwell.

No charges were filed in that case because the district attorney ruled that the officers' actions were justified.

Some Denver religious leaders want the officer involved in the shooting death taken off patrol duty.

"To allow this bloodthirsty animal to kill this child who loved and trusted the police and considered them to be his friends. This is too much," said Rev. James Peter Jr, with New Hope Baptist Church.

The ministers want Turney placed on desk duty and undergo psychiatric evaluations. The group said all DPD personnel should complete sensitivity training for the mentally challenged. They also want changes to be made in the lethal force policy and want the Justice Department to investigate DPD policies.

Denver police said they can't respond to the ministers until they're formally presented with the demands.

Denver mayor Wellington Webb visited the home where the shooting occurred to show support for the family. His visit came as family members confirmed that Johnnie Cochran would come to Denver next week to represent the family.