Posted on 06/09/2007 7:18:16 PM PDT by SubGeniusX
(AP) Anoka, Minn. Anoka County authorities have released without charges a man suspected of shooting and wounding an undercover Robbinsdale police officer.
Martin Treptow,35, says he fired to protect his wife and two toddlers inside the family SUV.
The Anoka County attorney's office says Treptow was released after Thursday's incident in Coon Rapids, but the investigation was ongoing.
Coon Rapids police say Treptow and a 27-year old officer in an unmarked car got into a dispute on the road. After angry words and gestures, Treptow pulled his SUV up to the driver side of the other car, stopped at a light. Treptow says as the driver got out of his, he pulled out a weapon.
"We're about three feet away from each other and he's pointing the gun at my wife, so it was a tough situation, where I couldn't drive away at that particular moment, I had to defend my family," Treptow said.
Treptow says the man was in street clothes and never identified himself as a police officer. With his wife in the passenger seat, Treptow fired three shots at the officer, hitting him in both legs and grazing his arm.
The 27-year-old officer was treated and released at a Minneapolis hospital for wounds to his legs and arm.
The man's two children were also in the vehicle at the time. He had a permit to carry a weapon.
Sounds like the law worked exactly as it should.
He shouldn’t have escalated it by driving up beside the other car and arguing. He put his family in danger without cause.
That said the cop should have charges filed against him when he gets out of the hospital.
Cop was over the top: he never should have confronted the citizen. People can get hurt in situations like this, as road rage is a BS excuse for violence. That being said this is a duplicate post.
The title of the article is very misleading. The shooter hasn’t denied his participation as the shooter in the event. The veracity of the circumstances leading up to the shooting may be in question, but that’s far different than the title implies.
There arent enough facts in this story for me to figure out what happened,but if a civilian shot an officer in plain clothes and he isnt under arrest,I am prone to believe the officer screwed the pooch.
It was at a stop light. Was he supposed to stop in the middle of the road instead? If it’s a two lane road, and the under cover cop is in the right hand lane at hte stop light and the the other car pulls up to the light in the left hand lane, then the act of “driving up beside the other car” seems like a common act.
Personally, if I were in a pissing match with another car, and I had the misses and my son with me, I’d take the extra 5 minutes and lose the A-hole and then go on my merry way.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say *Oh he did it alright"
Stupid stupid headline writers.
The Anoka County attorney's office says Treptow was released after Thursday's incident in Coon Rapids, but the investigation was ongoing.From the other thread on this incident
Treptow is now free, can resume carrying a gun, and can travel anywhere he likes.Sounds like Treptow isn't the one under investigationProsecutors say it may take weeks to finish the investigation.
“If it’s a two lane road, and the under cover cop is in the right hand lane at hte stop light and the the other car pulls up to the light in the left hand lane, then the act of “driving up beside the other car” seems like a common act.”
It is a common act but could also be avoided.
“Personally, if I were in a pissing match with another car, and I had the misses and my son with me, I’d take the extra 5 minutes and lose the A-hole and then go on my merry way”
Yup, its not worth it. It could have been avoided but once the other idiot pulled the gun then all bets are off. At the very least he should be charged with brandishing and perhaps even assault. He’s lucky to be alive and obviously doesnt have the judgement to be a cop.
Agreed on both counts.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.