Posted on 09/15/2015 11:52:59 AM PDT by BenLurkin
The confusion began when neighbors reported hearing dozens of gunshots being fired on Negrara Way, said Sgt. Jason Ramos of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department.
When deputies arrived, they heard the gunshots coming from between two homes. Deputies saw several rounds strike the lawn of a home. Another home was riddled with gunshots, killing a dog inside.
As deputies worked to established a perimeter, the gunman, identified as Ben Ledford, walked out of his home, threw down his assault rifle, dropped to the ground and surrendered to authorities, he said.
“It was a pretty chaotic situation out there,” Ramos said.
As deputies tried to determine whether Ledford was exchanging gunfire with other neighbors, they saw the bystander kneeling in his garage and thought he was pointing a gun, Ramos said.
The bystander had his hand stretched out while he was filming deputies swarm his neighborhood, Ramos said.
Two deputies then fired shots at the bystander, striking him once in the leg
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Sorry, but I disagree. Cops are supposed to know what they are shooting at before pulling the trigger. If they could not see well enough to identify what was in his hand, they shot too quickly.
And to answer the inevitable question, yes I think a cop is obligated to take the additional risk to himself to determine he faces a valid threat before firing. Cops are paid to take that risk and have protective gear, etc. Citizens should not have to get shot because the cop is not willing to risk himself by making sure that an actual threat is present.
The turgidity is running high on this thread. So many FReepers just get all flushed at a cop shooting a civilian.
Ok, next time while the bullets are flying, you call time out so the good guys and bad guys can ID themselves.
When hunting, you don’t have bullets flying at you from skunks, squirrels or deer. The good guys should at least be wearing orange vests so are known. But, hey, go ahead and wander around the back pasture the first day of hunting season with antlers on your head because proper hunting etiquette demands you know what you’re aiming at.
Dumbass.. Shots being fired all around, deputies swarming the area and you put yourself into that situation?
We don’t know the bullets were flying at the time. Nor do we even know the facts on the ground. And the police pov or .Gov narrative will be the last thing I believe at the start of any story.
Fails on the most basic level of "know your target..."
Civilian? You mean citizen?
Fine, you can hang out in your dark garage and point objects at cops and I’ll go with the odds by staying inside with a solid wall between the bullets.
Fails on the most basic level of don’t act stupid.
Looks like cops that don’t want to be filmed have found a new tool. Because cell phones look so much like rifles.
What is not clear to me: was the bystander’s house INSIDE or OUTSIDE the perimeter? If outside, then this is more incompetence and the county is liable for more than just medical bills. If inside, then I am willing to cut them some slack but the county is still liable for his medical bills.
Is there a difference?
For all they know, it could have been a scared kid in there, someone who was paralyzed with fear and not really knowing what to do.
They failed. Had you or I done this, we'd be sitting in jail, awaiting trial.
Markedly different.
Yes. Not all civilians are citizens (legal vs. illegal), not all citizens are civilians (military vs. non-military).
Film?
Just showing my age......... lol
If I shot the guy in the garage would you find me blameless? The cops bear the same responsibility.
Police are not the military, they are not soldiers, we are not civilians. We are all citizens and they are employees of municipal corporations for the most part. Mindsets are important. I’m not a civilian in a war torn area, I’m a citizen of the United States, endowed from birth, with inalienable rights that millions have poured their life’s blood on the ground for. I hate it when people forget that. Read up on your Roman history to learn the importance of being a CITIZEN.
Darn. I searched titles using cellphone, sacramento and bystander, but something told me I was using the wrong search words.
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