Posted on 07/30/2015 8:35:36 AM PDT by Responsibility2nd
An off-duty New Jersey state trooper chased after three unarmed teenagers and shot at them early Sunday after they accidentally knocked on his door, officials said Wednesday.
Trooper Kissinger Barreau told investigators he believed the teens were trying to break into his Sparta home, CBS New York reported. Police said they are investigating the shooting, but Barreau remains on active duty and hasn’t faced any charges.
One of the teens, 18-year-old Jesse Barkhorn, said he and his friends were dropping people off after a party Sunday. They mistakenly knocked on the trooper’s door, having mistaken it for a friend's house, around 2 a.m., then ran back to their car after they heard a man screaming at them through the door.
As they turned their car around a cul-de-sac, they noticed a red dot following them in the darkness — and realized it was the laser sight of a firearm. Then they saw Barreau standing outside with his personal gun.
“At this point we’re freaking out, ‘It’s a gun, it’s a gun,' ” Barkhorn said.
“I was like, 'Dude, get out of here.’ ”
As they drove away, the trooper gave chase and fired at least three shots at them, with one hitting the car’s front tires.
None of the teens were hit or injured, but all three were found by police about two miles away and kept in custody for more than nine hours before being released without charges.
Barkhorn told NJ.com they were treated as criminal suspects — getting searched repeatedly and handcuffed — and they could tell police dogs and helicopters were used to track them down.
Barreau, who has been on the force for six years, told investigators he identified himself as a police officer as he ran after the car, but Barkhorn said they never heard him say that.
yep.
I would never answer the door at 2:00 AM. For one thing, I'd most likely be in bed. If I were near the door when the knocking occurred, I would have my guns at the ready and would not open the door nor would I make a sound. If they forced the door, I'd start blasting.
Y’all say “Sparta” like its Camden or something. I don’t know. Never been there.
Look at the cop’s house (linkie). Looks like a mighty fine home by anyone’s standards.
FWIW.
I’d wait for the full story to come out before coming to conclusions. The media isn’t trustworthy.
Kissinger Barreau? WTH?
One of the teens, 18-year-old Jesse Barkhorn, said he and his friends were dropping people off after a party Sunday. They mistakenly knocked on the trooper’s door, having mistaken it for a friend’s house, around 2 a.m.,
...
Did this friend live alone, or were they going to wake up everybody in the house at 2am? Most teens these days would use the phone.
“Yet another demonstration of why only professional law-enforcement personnel should be allowed to own firearms.”
Needs repeating.
Well, this is why when I was returning my neighbor’s dog when it got loose after midnight, I called rather than knocking on the door.
I believe my neighbors are liberals who would never own a gun, but why take chances? If they were scared, they’d probably call the police, which would be another kerfluffle to deal with.
So kids, if you’re going to a party, and the house is dark, call. And if the house is brightly lit and noisy, call, because they won’t hear you knock.
This trooper - my state’s finest. Bleah.
Sparta is an exurb, and a nice one.
you are right wait and see is best rather then a rush to judgment.
Good points.
And if the kid is being taken home, why knock on the door? Isn’t it his house?
Or was he incapacitated? And where is he now?
I grew up in Vernon NJ.
Back in the 80’s Sparta had a bit of a reputation.
I’m honestly surprised that the officer wasn’t treed by a bear [Hamburg chief of police and mayor if memory serves] or wrecked his cruiser during a chase where the car went around a curve and vanished somehow, the pursuing vehicle smashing headlong into the roadblock.
(The 80’s were a lively time to live in the area!)
If this is all that has happened, it’s a bit of an improvement!
[LOL]
“And you would have what? answered the door pointing your gun at them?”
Honestly don’t know. More likely than not I would have yelled out to the people on the other side of the door that I have a gun, lots of bullets, and they had better start running. Now. And yes, I’d gladly explain to a jury how/why I chose to protect my wife and kids.
I’ve had a gun pointed at me once before in my life. I wasn’t carrying, and wouldn’t have had the opportunity to pull a gun if I was. Decided I didn’t want to die that day for $20 in my wallet, and I have no doubt that I would have. I learned a lot from that experience.
Yea. I love how people always go to “if this “ or “what if”.
Theres an article. Nowhere in there does it say they did anything more than ring the bell. So no door forcing no nothing.
So you wouldn’t open up your door and decide it was time for target practice.
Its just as likely to be someone in need of help.
I would still tell them to get off my porch ASAP, and that for their help I’ve called the Police. I’d have hard time believing that a group of teens at 2AM needed any help from me.
Didn’t someone in the Sparta PD shoot themselves in the foot practicing quick draw back when??
Nope, nor would I shoot through the door.
shooting at a target that is not a threat to you is a big no.. no...
For common citizens. He'll keep his job and pension.
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