Texas -Cop shoots 72-year-old dead in his home (Wrong address, no charges)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news ^ | 1/30/2014 | Ashley Collman

[dragnet2]

Actual headline below: Would not fit in title header

Rookie cop who shot 72-year-old dead in his home while investigating burglary at the WRONG address will not be charged

A family devastated: Waller was shot by Fort Worth police as they searched his home for burglars in the dark using only flashlights

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2548819/Rookie-cop-NOT-charged-killing-72-year-old-accidental-search-home.html

[dragnet2]

According to a search warrant affidavit released by the Star-Telegram in July, the two officers encountered an armed Waller near the corner of his home, told them they were police and to drop his gun.

Waller didn't drop his gun and instead raised it at Hoeppner who proceeded to fatally shoot the senior citizen seven times.

According to the autopsy report, Waller suffered three hits to his chest as well as single shots to his abdomen and hand. Two other bullets grazed his wrist and forearm.

'I don't know who the guy is,' Hanlon says. 'The guy came out with a gun. He wouldn't put the gun down. He pointed it at Hoeppner. Hoeppner fired.'

Waller was found in his garage and pronounced dead at the scene.

Waller's widow and the rest of his family released a statement of their own as well, saying they would not comment on the grand jury's decision until their independent investigation into the shooting finished.

[henkster]

Just remember the new rules:

You screw up, you pay
The government screws up, you pay
You can’t lie to the government
The government can lie to you

[MrEdd]

Fort Worth PD is really full of these guys. Has been for decades.

[Sopater]

Defending your home can sometimes prove fatal.

To defend your home from the police or the state could prove fatal with no consequences for the murderers.

[onona]

As always, no details.

I'll get the popcorn anyways........

[WayneS]

As terrible as this decision appears, at least it was taken by a JURY instead of a police chief, or a prosecutor.

[Truth29]

"Chief Jerry Halstead of the Fort Worth Police says he hopes the grand jury's decision will help start the healing process for both the Waller family and the cop"

The Chief is delusional. Justice and the healing process have not even begun. Hopefully, the killers and their Chief will be held to justice somewhere in the future.

[MplsSteve]

This sounds like something that would happen in Florida.

[Alex Murphy]

What happened - was he wearing a dog costume?

[Kackikat]

So much for moving to Fort Worth, TX...

[nickcarraway]

The should make the family pay for the blood to be cleaned off the officers clothes, and for the ammo.

[DCBryan1]

At least the police got to go home that night. /sarc

[gaijin]

Bad guys - stupid criminals with long hair

Good guys - stupid criminals with short hair

[cherry]

I hope the family sues and sues and sues.....cops are hired by WE THE PEOPLE....they are our servants.....they do OUR bidding....and yet they can go to the wrong house and kill a guy for protecting his own home....

[Michael.SF.]

According to a search warrant affidavit released by the Star-Telegram in July,

Am I understanding that correctly? The cops got a search warrant to investigate a burglary?

That does not sound right.

[ZULU]

He may not have heard them. Either way, the bastards were at the wrong house and killed an innocent man. They should be fired and sent to prison for manslaughter at the very least.

[BCW]

That’s BS! -— police need to be held accountable for such negligence...and I’m a former LE officer...it’s just the right thing to do...they screwed up - and a citizen died...

[Blood of Tyrants]

As usual, the police absolve themselves of all wrong doing.

[skinkinthegrass]

it seems, IF you call the police; THEN you'll pay w/your property
or your life @ risk and your beloved friends & animals, too.

[AU72]

That's the cops' story.
With no other witnesses (alive) they'll be sticking to it.