Posted on 07/10/2012 8:19:47 AM PDT by smokingfrog
A makeshift memorial marked the spot on Dixie Lou Street where a teen was shot multiple times and killed by Sacramento police Saturday after what officers said was a struggle over an assault weapon stowed in the youth's clothes.
Ascencion Herrera was 17. Sacramento County coroner's officials said he died just before 7 p.m. Saturday, about a half-hour after he was shot.
The two officers involved in the shooting – both in their third year with the force – remained on paid administrative leave Monday, said Sacramento police spokeswoman Michele Gigante.
As friends and the curious made their way to the Meadowview location, on Monday covered with votive candles, family photos and offerings of beer and tequila, neighbors continued to grapple with Saturday's shooting.
** snip **
Williams said she saw one of the officers leave the patrol car and hold Herrera against a plywood fence while the second officer stayed back.
She said the officer "tried to throw him down, but (Herrera) wouldn't go down."
That was when the officer spotted the butt of the weapon protruding from the teen's clothing.
"The cop stepped back and yelled 'Gun,' and fired," Williams said. She and Jones say they heard five shots.
Both said they realize Herrera was carrying a weapon. But "they could've took the gun off that boy," she said. "It shouldn't have happened like that."
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
I suppose it could have been a Draco or had a folding stock.
“It’s a common thread of concern: ‘Why don’t they shoot warning shots or shoot at a leg?’ “ Tournour said. “They’re trained to shoot until the threat is ended.”
Television. Citizens see “cops” shooting guns out of peoples hands after a 8 block foot chase and want a real police officer to do the same thing.
Check the serial number, was it one of Holders Fast and Furious guns?
I am divided—should resisting arrest while armed but without making any threatening moves involving the firearm be a capital offence?
Dude probably couldn’t go down cause he had his piece stuck in his lowriders and holding it up with the drawstring from his hoodie, just sayin’.
Poor clothing choices in Kalefornia can lead to fashion disasters.
BTW: What’s the chance of a reporter in Sacramento getting this right?
Evidently shot-by-cop-dogs get more sympathy here on FR than shot-by-cop-humans...
... while at the same time many here on FR regularly decry the Obama "police state" and trampling of the Constitution.
Beer and tequila for a 17 year old kid's memorial? What the hell is wrong with these people?
"The cop stepped back and yelled 'Gun,' and fired," ...
That is a far cry from the Rules of Engagement our people in the middle east have to endure.
The baggy sweatshirt hoody may have raised a suspicion for the officers. (I don't know what the kid was wearing but it would have been something more than a "wife beater T-shirt" to conceal a long gun of any kind.
True. But these days, Chicago is probably more dangerous than Kabul.
As a practical matter, an armed individual has only two choices when challenged by another armed individual: surrender or fight.
Anything in between is t.v.-drama fantasy....
“Bet the neighbors wouldnt be lighting candles on a roadside memorial if he could have shot the cops first.”
Instead, they would be throwing a party!
What if this ‘human’ turns out to be a member of MS-13 or the like? Still think he deserves so much sympathy?
As Chris Rock said in his hilarious video “How Not To Get Your Ass Kicked By The Police” ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj0mtxXEGE8 ) “If the Police have to come and get you, they’re going to be bringing an ass-kicking with them...” (Referring to Rodney King)
Same goes with resisting arrest with a weapon on your body. Especially in an area where cops see bad guys all the time wearing the same clothes, moving the same way, saying the same things.
I always think when I read these kinds of things, that I might give the benefit of the doubt, and perhaps the person was not a bad person but maybe carrying an unlicensed gun for protection. Not smart, but possible in those areas. But when you resist arrest, that kind of throws all possible forbearance out the window.
The purpose of the gangsta wardrobe is to aid criminal activity such as concealing weapons, drug in bulk, identity, etc.. If the cloths are baggy enough, even assault rifles!
And those who promote that $hit either know it or are to stupid to ever know anything.
I’ve had officers shoot the gun (and knife) out of a perp’s hand (along with some fingers), but it’s not intentional.
Their eyes get locked on the threat (weapon) and that’s where the bullets go. It’s instinctive shooting and it’s a regression from training. It’s not good, but the physiologial effects of the deadly force encounter are hard to counteract except through a LOT of training - oftentimes more than departments can or are willing to give.
It doesn't matter to me what this piece of human excrement was carrying or whether or not it was legal, the fact is carrying an illegal concealed weapon is not a capital offense. There is no information that the perp tried to use the weapon, I simply don't understand why he was shot. This one I would call murder. This was not a suicide by cop but premeditated murder. The cop got it wrong. What was the provocation for shooting the guy? He was already under control. It was a rifle stuck down his pants and shirt, it would take forever to get out and shoot.
The cops are wrong on this one from what information we have been given here and from what the witnesses say. I say give the guy his life back or put some bad punishment on the cop and the city that paid him to do what he did. I realize the guy can't get his life back and that is why cops are supposed to show restraint.
Murder, pure and simple. I hope the cops and city pay big time.
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