[Let's Roll]

According to Dallas Morning News - requires registration but free and there are several articles - the gorilla enclosure was award winning - tested by experienced rock climbers to see if escape was possible etc. They still don't know how it got out.

It charged the police officers after it had chased, bitten etc. the other victims. Police did not just calmly go in, draw a bead on it and shoot it.

The police made the right decision "under fire." People - especially children have to come first.

OTOH, I hate to see animals confined in zoos - especially the highly intelligent ones - but I do understand the value - it raises interest in preserving the endangered species.

Also Fort Worth Star Telegram has several stories.

[Americanchild]

Police did not just calmly go in, draw a bead on it and shoot it.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Ok, the media is spinning this to death. I was there; they were not. A number of police were on hand but they were waiting for the word from zoo officials. They have free reign if the animal leaves zoo gounds but our own weapons team controls inside. Meanwhile the SWAT team arrived. They literally stormed the zoo in full battle gear! They were NOT called and were not authorized in any way. Now let's get one thing clear: the public had already been evacuated or locked in "safe places" by zoo staff. This happened immediately and just as it should. There was absolutely no one near the animal. But the SWAT went in anyway and surrounded him. When he did some mock charges they moved closer rather than back! They shot him 3 times. The first shot dropped him, then there was a pause of about 30 seconds. They shot him again when he looked like he was getting up. Again a long pause, maybe a minute this time. When he moved again, they shot him a third time. This was NOT an act of defense as the SWAT had no reason to be there in the first place!

Believe me, I would be the first to shoot if someone was in danger. But this was a cold calculated killing any way you look at it.