Posted on 08/05/2013 3:48:35 AM PDT by markomalley
Illinois State Police have launched an investigation into why police in Park Forest shot a 95-year-old man with a bean bag round, leading to the man’s death.
WBBM Newsradio’s John Waelti reports World War II veteran John Wrana met his demise at the hands of Park Forest police officers last week, after allegedly threatening nursing home staff and paramedics with a cane, butcher knife, and shoehorn at the Victory Centre assisted living center.
But Wrana family attorney Nicholas Grapsas denied Wrana ever wielded a knife, and questioned why police needed to use force on an elderly man, when the staff was offering to assist.
“When the police came, they took over. They wouldn’t even let the staff calm him down, even though they repeatedly, literally, begged them ‘Let us try and calm him down,” Grapsas said.
He claimed officers stormed into the room with riot gear, shooting Wrana with a stun gun. They then shot him in the abdomen with a bean bag round from a shotgun.
Grapsas said Wrana was sitting alone in a chair when police shot him.
“Park Forest police were able to do what the Japanese military couldn’t do,” he said.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office said Wrana died from internal bleeding from blunt force trauma caused by the bean bag rounds.
Illinois State Police were investigating the case.
Why did the staff call the riot squad to begin with?
Once you call in the police you have given up on all hope of calming the victim. They come in use their usual power tactics and force. If you don’t want that, don’t call.
Do not expect common sense or a forgiving attitude from police.
....Odungocare, take your medicine or we’ll kill you
Well it could have been worse, he could have had a 2 lb. puppy on his lap that would have also been shot because the cops thought they would be attacked and ripped to shreds.
Looking into my crystal ball I absolutely guarantee that the police will have "followed procedures" and will have no significnat negative consequences for the act.
Look people, it’s obvious why they had to shoot him. He didn’t have a dog.
Someone forgot to say, “I felt threatened.” If the shooter had used the appropriate phrase there would be no “investigation.” The Shooter would be instantly awarded his paid vacation and get a commendation certificate for following Police Training perfectly. All would be right with the world.
They would have shot the puppy then said it was just tough luck that the old guy was on the other side of the vicious dog and they felt threatened.
Didn’t any of you read the story?
The 95 year old man was threatening the police with a shoehorn. He was clearly a threat to all involved.
Ban shoehorns.
/s
I’m waiting to see the police report ,, I’m betting it was an “assault shoehorn” , the kind with the extended handle for people that can’t bend over easily and not one of the simple 6” plastic or stamped metal ones.
They shot a Grandma here in Pennsylvania!!!
I’m sure some bootlickers will be along presently to tell us that the most important thing was that all the cops were able to go home that night, and many glazed doughnuts were consumed with glee.
Can’t imagine any risk to 2 cops walking up to him on either side and disarming him.
If they can’t move fast enough to grab the knife hand, they need to get a desk job.
When all you’ve got is a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail.
When the cop goes out on a mission, the adrenaline is running fast.
When in SWAT mode, there is no question: the suspect is a dangerous perp. There is no chance of error. Being at the wrong house doesn’t count. The suspect being elderly, frail and mentally weakened doesn’t count. It’s a PERP.
It’s forbidden to think. The PERP is dangerous. The PERP won’t follow orders.
If the PERP is White and male then go ahead! There will never be an investigation. jackson/sharpton won’t be doing a war dance. Go ahead. Give your adrenaline something to rush about.
If this annoys you, tough.
Cops need to stick to their primary responsibility:
Raising money for the Welfare State from honest citizens trying their best to go about their days legally.
They've been less mouthy as of late, not sure why. You left out "We don't know the whole story." from their list of favorite excuses.
And besides it feels good when you shoot a helpless old guy.
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