Posted on 06/09/2005 4:54:00 PM PDT by joshhiggins
Man shot outside Polk County courthouse dies
DES MOINES (AP) -- A man who spray-painted words on a pickup truck outside the Polk County courthouse was shot and killed by a law enforcement officer when he pulled a toy gun on police.
A deputy approached the man about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday after he was seen spray-painting "inappropriate words on his pickup truck," said Sgt. Todd Dykstra. Other words including "Police Academy 7" could be seen painted in black on the white truck, witnesses said.
As deputies approached the man he jumped on the cab of the pickup. The man reached behind him and pulled out the replica gun from his waistband and then Polk County Deputy Keith Onley shot him, Dykstra said.
"We believe there was only one gunshot fired," Dykstra said, adding that police were waiting for results of an autopsy which was expected to be conducted on Wednesday. He declined to say where the man was shot or confirm the number of shots fired.
The man, identified by officials at Iowa Methodist Medical Center as Jonathan H. McCourt, 49, was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to a report by The Des Moines Register.
A mental health warrant had previously been issued for the man, Dykstra said.
"The man was wanted on a mental health warrant that would commit him to a mental health facility," he said.
McCourt apparently visited a few local television stations Tuesday, but Dykstra did not comment on what his purpose was for going there.
Onley, an eight-year veteran, was placed on paid administrative leave.
The investigation was continuing.
Their sense of humor, assuming they ever had one, completely disappears.
Suicide by Police...
Don't bring a toy gun to a real gun fight.
Darwin award.
Probably heavy pot/drug user in his youth.
Check the lint on the toy gun vs. whats in the cops pockets.
Somewhat old for that, but certainly meets the qualifications for a nomination.
Ping
You draw, you die. Simple as that. Same result as jumping out of a plane without a parachute, but much quicker.
Just think of all the money you just saved the taxpayers.
When toy guns are outlawed, only dead outlaws will have toy guns.
Come on. No self respecting cop is going to throw down a toy gun.
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