[achilles2000]

The police panicked. They were not well trained, or perhaps they were simply psychologically unfit for the job.

I do love the NYT’s sympathetic treatment of the police’s decison to shoot in a crowded street.

Now, if instead of 2 of NY’s finest it had been a “civilian” with concealed carry license who did this shoot, can anyone believe that the tone of the article would have been remotely similar?

Maybe this is evidence that the police should be disarmed - they are too great a threat to those they are supposed to protect.

[Alberta's Child]

I'm no fan of the NYPD, but from everything I've seen and heard about this situation (it occurred a block away from my company's NYC office) it sounds like the police can't really be faulted for shooting the guy. He had already shot and killed one person and was brandishing the gun when they plugged him, so I don't know what anyone here expected them to do.

When 5-6 people are pointing their guns at a perp, 16 shots can be discharged in mere seconds.

[fight_truth_decay]

Panicked? well we Know the police were not, as per full article..the bullet fragments and ricochets after bullets struck nearby flowerpots[fragments]evident from ballistics and striking lower extremities.

Meanwhile, in Ralm Emanuel's Chi-town today....19 People Shot Overnight in Chicago » Chicago Shootings 8-24-12

[barney10]

“the police panicked ...they were not well trained” ... I would like to know how you know the breadth of their training and psychological state? The video showed two of the officers taking care of business in a short period of time. They did not appear to out of control or in a state of panic on the film?

[John S Mosby]

Watch the video. They did not panic. My later post to Tupelo covers a variety of distractions. This was on 5th Avenue directly in front of the Empire State Building, morning rush hour— buses, cars, pedestrians. Time to gunman hitting ground from verbal challenge by officers— it is 6 seconds. Watch the video.

[P-Marlowe]

The police panicked. They were not well trained, or perhaps they were simply psychologically unfit for the job.

I was pretty shocked when I learned how untrained the average cop is in handling the firearm they carry. Too often cops are so untrained in firearms that they can miss a target that is only yards away. I have a feeling that NYC does not require regular firearms practice or training. After all, none of the citizens of New York City are supposed to have guns, so why bother.

[PapaBear3625]

The police panicked. They were not well trained, or perhaps they were simply psychologically unfit for the job.

More like they had the attitude "MY safety comes first! Screw the bystanders."

Now, if instead of 2 of NY’s finest it had been a “civilian” with concealed carry license who did this shoot, can anyone believe that the tone of the article would have been remotely similar?

They would have been calling for felony charges on the CCW holders.