Dead.
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.
[video]
I would own the town and the police chief’s home
The bitch needs hard prison time and the entire police force sued out of existence.
“I believe that because of political correctness many people who should not be police are police.”
My husband, who’s in the business, has seen that the more “intellectuals” they hire, the more clueless the department becomes.
It looks like the old Nintendo Duck Hunters gun
Department policy should ALWAYS be that an officer cannot fire his gun at another person unless he, the officer, is fired upon first. End of story. And if you don’t like it, go flip burgers because you’re not fit to wear the uniform.
When I was a kid, the police dept. of the town I grew up in instituted just such a policy after a series of unjustified police shootings. Caused an unbelievable uproar. Chief told the unhappy cops that they were welcome to leave if they didn’t like it and a number of them did, including my cousin. But you know what? Unjustified police shootings ended then and there. Unfortunately, that police chief retired a few years later and the new chief went back to shoot first ask questions later.
Charge that officer with murder
I am not defending her poor decision, but the kid might have been playing a very loud and violent video game.
Oh no! What we all have to do is, when they come knocking (IF they knock), is hit the floor, spread eagle, wait for them to break the door down, and pray that they don't take out their steroid-enhanced anger out on our necks and backs. And don't forget to say "Yes sir!" "No sir!"
There were pics in other articles.
Is the mere possession of a firearm or a toy that looks like a firearm justification?
I think you're right, they are so destructive to society that I refuse to watch 'em.
I hate to say this, but this is only going to stop when folks take justice into their own hands... The law is not on our side.
I bet if a cop shot a dog and had his/her own shot, or if they shot a kid and had his/her own shot, this crap would end.
Dead.
There are folks here who hold that position. They also tend to say anyone not immediately obeying every command deserves to be shot.
Ah. I never played Nintendo. :)
And that's all that really matters.
bttt
Euharlee police said two officers arrived at roughly 7:35 p.m. and Roupe answered the door with a gun drawn — contradicting the lawyer and witness claims that he was unarmed, expect for the video game device.
****************************
Agreed. Something is terribly, terribly wrong.
No, but you can bet the money will tickle their lawyer.
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.