Officer in Costco shooting says man raised gun, didn’t know it was in holster

Las Vegas Sun ^ | 23 Sept 2010 | Cara McCoy, Dave Toplikar

[Mr Rogers]

This comes from a Vegas paper, so I'll summarize:

Day 1 of the inquest into the police shooting of Eric Scott at a Las Vegas Costco emphasized the large amount of prescription painkillers found in his body. The assistant DA suggested Scott was suicidal.

Day 2 apparently spent a bunch of time explaining why there will be no video...basically, the machines weren't working, sorry.

Then the cop who was closest to Scott testified. In his testimony, he says the gun found by investigators was in its holster, and that he didn't realize the gun was in its holster when he shot Scott. That info comes about 2/3 of the way into the article:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/sep/23/officer-deadly-shooting-says-man-pointed-gun-didnt/

[Mr Rogers]

I don't know what type of holster it was, but A) someone trying to commit 'suicide by cop' would have pulled the gun, not the gun in its holster, and B) I'm concerned that the inquiry seems to be focused on suicide by cop rather than focusing on what happened. It is still ongoing, but so far the testimony has come from Costco employees and the closest cop.

It may be the drugs Scott was using clouded his judgment in how to respond, but I don't see any indication that he was trying to force the police to shoot him. Not if he pulled a holstered gun.

[ClearCase_guy]

Step 1) Start with a theory: suicide by cop.
Step 2) Gather evidence in support of theory.
Step 3) Lose any evidence that works against your theory.

[S.O.S121.500]

My B.S. meter just exploded all over the room.

[Blennos]

The notion that the video cameras all failed makes me more than a little suspicious. One wonders what the cops and Costco are trying to hide that would be revealed by the video. The “malfunction” is a little too convenient here.

[Tijeras_Slim]

If the 911 tape vanishes, the fix is completely in.

[DCBryan1]

At the least, he died from the incompetence of trying to follow multiple commands, getting shot for disobeying one. At the most, it was outright murder by an adrenaline junky.

Cop1: "GET DOWN!"
Cop 2: "TURN TOWARDS ME!"
Cop 3: "DONT MOVE!"
Cop 1: "SHOW ME WHERE THE GUN IS!"
Cop 2: "KEEP YOUR HANDS UP!"
Cop 3" "THROW YOUR GUN OVER HERE!"

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Sad all the way around. Cops should be at least suspended, if not fired. If the tape EVER comes out, I bet the cops could see jail time.

The fact that the tape hasn't come out is the most disturbing aspect of the story.

[Abathar]

This all boils down to money, pure and simple.

They know the cop blew it when he killed the guy, but to admit it means the guys wife will win a huge judgment by the jury guaranteed.

By backing the cop now they will make the lawyers work for a decent settlement instead of handing it to them on a silver platter.

[Washi]

Large amounts of pain killers found during autopsy.
Check.
Video cameras not working.
Check.

The fix is, most definitely, in.

[SnakeDoctor]

What is the purpose of the “he pulled a holstered gun” observations. Seems to me it makes little difference in determining whether the shooting was justified.

(1) Some poorly made holsters will come off with the gun when you draw; (2) you can still kill someone else or yourself with a gun that is holster-covered (they aren’t bullet-proof); and (3) I can imagine it would be difficult to recognize from a reasonable distance whether someone was pointing a hostered or unholstered gun at you.

SnakeDoc

[ponygirl]

This whole thing makes me so angry. When the truth finally comes out about this, I hope Scott’s family sues the pants off both Costco and the employee who phoned in the false report to 911. Where are the surveillance tapes??!

[dead]

If these cops were real men, they'd admit that they effed up and take their punishment, whatever that may be.

Instead, they have to slander the poor guy they killed.

I can buy that the killing was a mistake without evil intent, but their actions since then are intentional.

[luvbach1]

Scott was totally correct that any gun permit allows the owner to carry a gun in plain sight so long as it is not displayed threateningly. Although legal, it is possibly fatal to do so as this case so well illustrates.

[texmexis best]

I would like to know if the cops generally yell “Put the gun down” in order to protect themselves in most situations.

That is the impression I got from the little we have heard.

[Non-Sequitur]

I'm concerned that the inquiry seems to be focused on suicide by cop rather than focusing on what happened.

You may be concerned but are you really surprised?

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

Day 2 apparently spent a bunch of time explaining why there will be no video...basically, the machines weren't working, sorry.

I think we all saw that one coming.

[smokingfrog]

First I've heard about Scott having drugs in his system. Sounds like it could be a factor affecting his behavior inside the store. But the Metro Cop's testimony and background is troubling.

[ltc8k6]

It’s not unusual for certain types of holsters to come off with the gun when you pull the gun.

[nkycincinnatikid]

The picture of assailant Police Officer Mosher accompanying the article must be seen to be believed.

[skeeter]

The following is heard in the 911 call: “Put your hands where I can see them now. Drop it! Get on the ground! Get on the ground!”

Now try complying without getting shot - btw you have about three seconds.

This all stinks so badly... I hope those involved in this coverup fry, if not legally them in their own minds as they contemplate killing an innocent person by accident & lacked the b*lls to admit it.

[rahbert]

NV is an incredibly small state. All the authority figures
know each other and probably watch each others backs.

Noone should be suprised that the tapes are missing.