Posted on 02/19/2014 3:37:02 PM PST by servo1969
A Georgia family is in shock following the death of their 17-year-old son, who was accidentally killed by a police officer who believed the video game controller he was holding was a gun, according to the family’s lawyer.
Christopher Roupe of Euharlee, Georgia heard a knock at the door of the family’s home last Friday night. Upon opening the door, he was immediately shot by a female police officer.
Roupe was pronounced dead upon arrival at a local hospital.
The officer broke down it tears upon realizing her mistake, according to The New York Daily News.
She had been making a probation-related visit to the home. She thought Roupe was holding a gun, according to a statement from the police department.
Cole Law, the family’s attorney, said he believes that the officer did mistake Roupe’s video game controller for a weapon. Roupe was holding a remote controller for the Nintendo Wii when he opened the door, according to Law.
Standard-issue Wii controllers are white cylinders, but specialty controllers shaped like guns do exist. It is not yet known what type of controller Roupe possessed. (RELATED: Update: Texas teen faces 8 years in prison over Facebook comment)
Neighbors confirmed that Roupe had a Wii controller, not a gun, according to Law.
“The eyewitnesses on the scene clearly state that he had a Wii controller in his hand,” said Law, according to WSB-TV. “He heard a knock at the door. He asked who it was, there was no response so he opened the door and upon opening the door he was immediately shot in the chest.”
Roupe had plans to enlist in the Marines after finishing high school. He was involved in the ROTC program at his high school.
The officer has been placed on administrative leave while the police department investigates the matter. The family will likely file suit against the department.
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Some of those workers are going to shoot back with real guns.
The family will get a big payday on this one, and the stupid LEO should serve 20 years to life on this one.
“So what? It’s not illegal to hold a gun in the United States of America, especially on your own property. Even if he had been holding a gun, that would be no excuse for killing him.”
The following is in response to the above quote and does not address the fact that the officer was mistaken:
I’ve read several opinions on gun forums and maybe here, that you don’t draw your gun unless you intend to shoot. You don’t have it ready in hand, you don’t draw it as a warning, you don’t “brandish” it, you don’t draw if you are not going to shoot for certain.
Consider that the other side of that attitude is that if you see someone with a gun in their hand you assume they are going to shoot therefore you have to shoot first.
Hmmm. Something to think about. The cop who shot him broke down in tears after realizing her mistake. This, alone, would belie any statement that the kid pointed a gun at her. Why would she break down at a "mistake" if the kid truly did point a gun at her?
The female police officers I have met all seem determined to prove they are more ruthless than any man.
mj1234: “Sounds like this dufus cop had her gun already drawn-”
Boogieman (Post 11): “So what? It’s not illegal to hold a gun in the United States of America...”
Maybe you all should talk.
She has an excuse. It is what she was trained to do. She went to the door. There was no dog. Ergo she shot the kid in the doorway. Get viewports for your doors. If you see a uniform, leave by the back door quickly and quietly.
“Unable to use intermediate force, like a bop on the nose, female officers quickly go to fatal force.”
And I believe that because of this male officers are inhibited from using intermediate force. They are discouraged from doing something female officers can’t do because it would make female officers and affirmative action look bad.
And yes she surely had her gun out and her finger on the trigger when she knocked on the door.
This time I want to know the race of the cop.
What’s another dead kid right. I mean as long gone as the cop goes home safe.
Thank you...and further more, when the boy asked who was at the door and no reply by the LEO...what’s us with that. Don’t the police have to announce themselves if they wish to gain entrance. My prayers to the family. In the end, I am speechless.
SHE has no name. Can’t violate her privacy.
I doubt there was any “error in perception.”
Going around with your hands in the air would look strange and would obviously be identified as a threat to the nearest officer.
Christopher Roupe. - white kid in GEORGIA. What was the RACE of the "police officer"???? Hmmmmm... funny how THAT was missed. Anyone remember Trayvon Martin? I ask you, WHAT would YOUR town be like if there were no more police force?? Any different? Just less tickets issued, right?? WHAT good is today's police force? WHAT do they 'serve'? WHO do they 'protect'??
I suspicion the same thing, I think policy has become to go to fatal force quicker, because the policy is being based on the lowest common capabilities.
The officer is a winner here. She got to make her kill and gets a paid vacation as a reward. She has passed the bar in police society.
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