While I agree with much of your take and not condemn the Deputy until we have the facts, still, he heard the crack of the weapon repeatedly.
We're talking about children here, and even with my lack of combat experience I would have moved in under "duck and cover" if only the slightest chance to distract him until backup arrived. I would have committed suicide as you call it.
Again, we don't know, but as a trained LEO I think he should have headed towards the gunshots. Also, I've read and seen one or two move on a house with a reported shooter many times with just their side arms. I expect First Responders to move forward to the threat and try their best to get a bead on the perp. That's what combat Marines, Army, SEALs, Delta do.
After the Deputy called the threat in, he should have moved in. He knew the school grounds and could hear the sound of the traveling crack of the rifle from place to place. Forget crossfire, according to reports the shooter was on the move which could have given the Cop time to re-position. This was not a hostage situation in a bank where protocol requires one or more patrol type officers to wait for SWAT. These were children being mowed down in different areas for gawd sakes. We'll see how it pans out from the witnesses.
Agreed. Since Columbine the rule has changed. The Jefferson CO. SWAT sat outside the building for one hour, while Harris and Kleybold continued their slaughter. Since that time, it’s been protocol to respond and engage immediately.
I’m not convinced I wouldn’t do what you mention. I don’t want to say I definitely would either. It would be a spur of the moment decision, and I’d have to do a gut check to move ahead.
When I say that, I mean I’d have to evaluate the setting and other circumstances for a reasoned chance of success. If there was very little chance of success (10/90%), I think it becomes more pointless to try it.
I understand these are just kids. It seems to me once the guy has a drop on the school, he’s inside, it’s very difficult to stop him.
If I had another officer with me, there’s no question what I would do. I would go in because two can manipulate his attention and get a clear shot off.
Your point about this not being a hostage situation is a reasoned one. I’d given that aspect of it thought too. It is different.
When I mention numbers of officers and swat, I’m trying to remind folks that it is almost universally recognized that one individual is not enough for this type of situation.
I believe most of the posters here dismiss that, to condemn this guy.
Knowing the layout can be used to buttress the idea this guy should have had the upper hand. Actually, it could make it clear to him in this situation a one man response was not a viable option.
I appreciate the reasoned response.
This is a topic I would generally take a pass on, except for what I perceived to be everyone going after this guy. I didn’t think it was quite that cut and dried, and I wanted to see the guy get some support.
In the end we may see him as a very bad character here. I’m not convinced yet. There is a lot of responsibility for this. Here are some of the entities I’ve tagged as being contributing factors.
- - - - -
The FBI
The sheriff’s department
The local police department
The local D. A.’s office
The local courts (judges have the discretion to put a guy like this on probation)
The probation department
The school system
The local family services department
The foster child placement system
The former foster parents
The current foster parents
Individuals in each of these agencies are required by law to report individuals that could be a threat to children.
Every person who reviewed this kid, should be fired for not making sure he didn’t fall through the cracks, being the threat he was.