Posted on 09/01/2010 7:55:25 PM PDT by marktwain
Reader feedback sections in both the on-line Seattle Times and Seattle Post-Intelligencer editions are loading up with comments (more than 220 in the Times at last count) as the public reacts to Monday afternoon’s fatal shooting by a Seattle police officer of a man apparently carrying a knife.
Was the man merely whittling, as has been reported, or did the officer perceive a genuine threat when he confronted the as-yet unidentified man? That’s a question that must be sorted out, and not in the emotion-laden atmosphere surrounding this story right now, but after the situation is analyzed.
Perhaps not since the David Walker incident in which Walker was fatally shot by a Seattle officer after allegedly pulling a robbery, and then prancing and walking down a sidewalk – ignoring demands by several cops to drop the knife he held – has the public been fixated on a “knife versus gun” situation.
It is probably not against the law anywhere to whittle on a stick, but in Seattle, it is a violation to do so with a fixed-blade knife or folder that has a blade longer than 3 ½ inches. Seattle code prohibits carrying such knives openly or concealed. Indeed, Seattle prohibits a lot of stuff, but the framers of those regulations carefully avoided prohibiting firearms. Handguns may be legally carried openly or concealed – the latter with a valid concealed pistol license – but why not knives?
(Excerpt) Read more at examiner.com ...
*Daily wear & work knives much longer.
It is all about the Tueller Drill. about 1.5 seconds to close a 21-22 ft gap and stab/slash someone. Faster than the average person can react and draw and fire at said knife attacker. So lethal force can be used against such a knife wielding person.
I wish they’d get the facts straight. He was not a “whittler”, he was a very talented American Indian Totem pole carver. He carved small totem poles and sold them at Pike Place Market. His little totem poles were beautiful little works of art, and much coveted by those lucky enough to own one. (Did I mention he was a Native American who came from a family of famous Totem Pole carvers?) He was also deaf in one ear, which is why he may not have responded to the police officer. This poor guy lost his life over a 3-1/2 pocket knife, which is the tool of his trade. As much as I support our law-enforcement community, I think in this case, the cop was trigger happy. They’re saying the victim was a drunk. Well for a drunk, he did pretty nice work. This was a needless death and a real pity. Witnesses say he was minding his business and working on a little totem pole.
You shouldn’t need a SARC tag. However, you’re gonna wish you used one...
You'll eventually learn they are NOT your friends.
Western Washington cops have been on a bender lately!
Three perps offed in the last couple days, and they are now searching the neighborhood north of Seattle to find lucky number 4!
Thanks for posting this. Most excellent bit of reality.
Why did the officer stop in the the first place? They guy has been sitting there for years carving those totem poles?
I suspect he did not have a whittling permit so he was cheating the government out of their rightful claim to his labor and talent. Can’t have that now, can we?
However, in my car I carry a much larger survival knife. It is listed by KA-BAR as "Combat Utility" useful for general around camp chores etc. etc. If ever stopped and questioned on it, I will use an affirmative defense that it is for sporting use. It is in fact in a backpack loaded with survival and other emergency gear. Never know when you'll need it, or when the urge to head up into the mountains and hike will strike...
By George, I think you got it. Seattle is so pitiful that it could be true.
As you know, Pioneer Square is full of drunken Indians making a nuisance of themselves panhandling. This guy’s crime was that he was actually working and trying to make a living for himself. Normally, Seattle Libs love drunks. They even built them their own apartment where they can live free (at taxpayer’s expense) and drink themselves to death if they want.
Since he was an American Indian I don’t suppose the cop’s name was Custer was it?
Friends don’t let friends whittle in Seattle otherwise you get Costcoed!
These days, if you live in the big city, its best to keep your activities indoors at home as much as possible. Common sense is pretty uncommon out there. You can be killed for looking at someone the wrong way.
Once upon a time, long, long ago, the cop on the beat was your friend.
Those days are long gone.
I am being sarcastic but only about the written contract stipulation part. If you are going to whittle sticks or walk about on the street you need to have a dog with you so that a passing police officer has something to shoot that is not you.
Cops in the northwest kill people and get away with it all the time...witness James Chasse, the homeless guy the Portland police beat to death for peeing in a bush, or the guy they shot in the back not too long ago.
And they’re always cleared...
Ed
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.