Posted on 07/16/2010 6:06:14 AM PDT by redreno
COPS = youth, badge, ego, gun.
Bad combination.
I take it the video hasn’t been released yet.
Telling...
“COPS = youth, badge, ego, gun.”
You forgot no consequences.
This is so damn sad.
Note to self and others with CCWs, new rules. Keep your hands up, and scream that you do have a weapon. With the state of the country today, someone might shoot you if you make the any other move than raised hands.
I have kids and would rather not be dead.
This is why Barney Fife has only one bullet...........in his shirt pocket..............
I don't blame him. IMHO, he should grab Costco by the short hairs and drag THEM along to.
From reading about his background, and lacking any HARD evidence from 'authorities', I just don't believe the story that Erik Scott would act in a threatening manner.
What a lot of people don't take into account is that cops rush on a scene and shout conflicting orders.
It confuses the Hell out of a law abiding person.
What you would need to do is get the drop on the cops first and just put 'em away or something.
I really don't know what you do when the cops start making war on the public, but Fur Shur we are NOT visiting Nevada anytime soon ~ and probably not ever.
Oakland transit cop shoots unarmed, handcuffed man in the back and gets off with manslaughter. I doubt that the police in this case will suffer even that level of punshment. The police will say he was armed, he was threatening them, it was justified.
I hope the facts come out
Unfortunately there are disturbing hints this guy may have been a little “off” in some way and not thinking straight ... multiple marriages, job instability... and does the Army usually release West Point graduates from their obligation 5-6 years early?
It may indeed be a department problem:
“There are a lot of people who have been killed in Las Vegas, a lot of them by the police,” he said. “They didn’t have a voice. This time, quote me: they killed the wrong guy.”
In this case, there is flat contradiction between police and civilian testimony.
Houston was like this about 30 years ago, but it seems to have been cleaned up.
This sounds like a situation that got out of control way too fast. There seems to be a lot of conflicting stories but bottom line this young man went to Costco to shop not shoot anyone and it sounded like the store over reacted.......It would have been smarter if the store manager had calmly approached this man and ask that he return to his car and lock his gun in the car.
My first thought this young man had a lot of problems and he was struggling to get his life together. This is a sad situation.
I also am wondering if there was sign posted stating no guns in the store.....I can’t tell you how often I have been to Costco carrying my gun in my purse.....
Don't read too much into it.
Watching the TV show 'Cops', I can attest to that.
Often when making a felon stop one cop is shouting "Go to your knees", another is shouting "Get on the ground", and so on.
Or, "Hands in the air", "Hands on your head".
Happens all the time.
The ADSO (active duty service obligations) for West Pointers is 5 years.
I would modify that a little to saying loudly "I am licensed to carry a concealed firearm". Yelling out "I've got a gun" might not be a good thing.
I do agree with keeping your hands up and visibly empty REGARDLESS of any commands by any officers is the best policy, ESPECIALLY when you have multiple officers giving conflicting commands. Just freeze and display empty raised hands. If you have a cell phone in your hands, or ANYTHING that may be mistaken for a weapon, just let it drop to the floor. If it breaks, replacing it is cheaper than your life.
This guy wasn’t “off” at all. Las Vegas cops routinely shoot people and get away with it. They are known to be corrupt. You need to read the earlier articles.
Career criminals, like the cops usually would be dealing with, “kow the drill.” They’ve been in trouble with the law enough they know what to do if so confronted as if second nature. But law abiding citizens don’t automatically know what posture to assume. And it would fly all over me, if I am breaking no law and a cop not only wants to arrest me, but he wants me “Down on the ground—now!!”
it should be a part of police training that the senior officer does all the talking, and the other cops shut up.
He wasn’t struggling. He was the top salesman for his company. You need to read earlier articles.
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.