OUTRAGE AT U.S. SHOOTING

Sky News ^ | 06/16/03 | Sky News

[tomball]

There has been controversy in the United States after two police officers shot and killed a suspected drunk driver in Louisiana.

The incident happened in a supermarket car park in the town of Shreveport and was captured on CCTV.

The 25-year-old man jumped out of his car and pointed what the officers say they thought was a gun.  They responded by shooting him eight times in the back as he ran away.  They then discovered his supposed weapon was only a mobile phone.

Police had chased him to the car park after he jumped a red light.  A spokesman for the local police said they had studied the video tapes of the shooting.  They decided it was justified because the officers felt threatened.

Shreveport police chief Jim Roberts said: "They felt their lives were in danger."

He said he believed the victim had engineered the incident to get himself killed in a "suicide-by-cop".

[m18436572]

"And we all know when it's gon on down hea!"

[Jorge]

"6) If a cop is acting like a total jerk, see recommendation #4."

and add: Get his badge number.

And do what?

File a complaint? Sue him?

Unless you have reliable witnesses on your side, and plenty of money fight the cops in court...you'd be better off just forgetting the entire incident.

[microgood]

If a stranger points something at me, at night, I'm going to blow him away. I have a CCL, and the rule is "If you are in fear for your life, you have a right to use deadly force."

If you shoot someone at night and it turns out to be a cellphone, you are going to jail for a long time. Unless you are a cop. They can shoot anyone anytime they feel threatened. You cannot.

Nope. You point ANYTHING at a police officer, you're as good as dead. Period.

This is exactly what I am complaining about. In Seattle a few years ago, the cops busted into the wrong house on a drug bust. In the living room, an old guy was sitting on a couch with a channel changer. The cops killed him. Totally innocent old guy. These people are out of control. Maybe the videoes will prove there was reason in this case to think their lives were in danger. In general, giving cops the power to kill at will is a dangerous trend we see more and more today. I do not hate cops and are glad for what they do. Before they had to have a gun for it to be a good kill. Now all they have to do is say they feared for their life.

[microgood]

The shooter was pointing the cellphone at the cop with a two-handed shooting stance.

Wow! Maybe he was looking to die. But it would be nice if the cops had not accomodated him in this case and gotten him to the mental hospital instead of the morgue. Otherwise they become the Suicide International preferred method of dying.

[discostu]

I don't know about him but thanks for the suggestion.

[microgood]

Now, cops are in fear for their lives every time they step out the squad car.

I read an article on FR a while ago citing death statistics for peace officers and the year it was taken their were 47 deaths in the United States. While that is 47 too many, I do not think they are that paranoid. Or at least I hope they are'nt for their sake. That would add to an obviously already stressful profession.

[microgood]

After watching the video, I believe the cops were justified in shooting him.

You are probably right. But it is sad they accomodated his suicide. I've been thinking a flashlight would have been real handy. Also wonder why they did not hide behind their cars and just approached the guy. Perhaps a change in tactics in the future would be worth considering.

[Devil_Anse]

Actually, the CRIMINAL law in Louisiana differs very little, if at all, from that of any other state.

True, Lousiana civil (non-criminal) law is based on the Napoleonic Code. It also draws from some Spanish law, such as a thing called "Las Siete Partidas".

The difference is simply this: The style of civil (non-criminal) law in Louisiana is based on attempts to anticipate the types of problems which might arise, and to make pronouncements upon them in advance of the problems actually having arisen. Hence, the code. It was written as a guide of what to do in particular situations. OTOH, the style of civil (non-criminal) law in our other states is based on English common law. In this sort of law, things are not necessarily written down in advance. The courts take the problems as they arise. A problem arises, the parties go to court, the court pronounces judgment, and the judgment is there for others to see. It becomes precedent.

The style of law in Louisiana has many similarities to that of several central and South American countries.

Furthermore, I think every one of the 50 states does have a set of statutes. Louisiana does. It just also has that extra thing: the Code.

[Lysander]

What an idiotic comment! Racist too.

I guess the sarcasm of the reflected image sailed over your head.

[Lysander]

How come I never get shot at by pi$$ed off cops if they try to pull me over for running a red light?

You wouldn't be white would you? Having trouble understanding eh? It is a black thang.

[MHGinTN]

Must have ... but even in sarcasm, racist remarks are insulting to my fellow freepers.

[Mr. Mojo]

Say "Yes, sir." and "No, sir." to cops, as required.

I don't call my employees 'sir'. One shouldn't be rude, but kissing their taxpayer-employed asses isn't necessary, and often signals to them that they can walk all over you at will.

[maxwell]

This guy was not a victim; he was a volunteer.

Yep. Stupidity should hurt.

I wonder what ol' Al would do if somebody flashed a shiny object at him like that. Sh!t his pants, likely... Then have his bodyguards put a couple rounds in the offender...

[Lysander]

Well being mixed race myself, I often hear the "drug hyped perp" slam followed by a similar statement. There is no evidence that p-cp makes anyone invincible or harder to kill. Historically that logic was used to outlaw cocaine, " Drug crazed Negroes raping white women" etc. The same logic about black criminals requiring 8 bullets to stop them is still a racist innuendo today when associated with drugs. I was merely finishing the implied thoughts that most readers would infer from that post. It is racist, but not on my part. Think about the original post lamenting "no comments" on how much "stimulant" was in his system. Then see who is making rascist comments.

[MHGinTN]

I have no inkling of the race of the perp. Must have missed that if it was in the article.

There is no evidence that p-cp makes anyone invincible or harder to kill. I believe you are mistaken here. It is a fact that pcp drastically effects the loop between brain stem and the periphery, slowing the nerve signals and rendering a hyped up idiot almost immune to pain, or at minimum unable to make the survival connection between exsquisite pain. The literature is full of such anecdotal stories as I related. I just happen to know a pistol instructor in Alabama who trained the officers and who swears by the .45 ... he's an expert and beyond marksman with his 1911A, modified. On his recommendation, I've changed the ammo in mine from ball ammo to HydraShoks. If enough tissue is damaged effectively, the perp will drop.

[MHGinTN]

You wrote, "Think about the original post lamenting "no comments" on how much "stimulant" was in his system. Then see who is making rascist comments." Refresh my memory as to whom you refer the 'comments' and explain to me how that is racist.

[Poohbah]

You wouldn't be white would you? Having trouble understanding eh? It is a black thang.

OK, how come my BLACK neighbor never gets shot when he's pulled over?

[stryker]

There was an unrelated armored car robbery. Hence, it was totally irrelevant. It still comes down to the fact this man was gunned down for traffic infractions--driving erratically. My only agenda is that I am an admitted libertarian and find the totally unquestioning cop worship society we have built to be more of a threat than the inflated and hysteric crime statistics the news media generate. We do not need hot pursuit except in the case of violent felons, nor do we need the use of deadly force except to apprehend violent felons. Let the others go and get their license tags. Then do the footwork to find them in less threatening circumstances. I'll bet you loved the murder of the Branch Davidians, when all the ATF/FBI had to do was wait to execute their warrant when Koresch left the property as he often did. (One warrant for one man but over a hundred men, women and children dead--justified of course.) But that wouldn't have taught those rebellious dirtbags a lesson, would it?

There is nothing to spin here. The police shot an unarmed man for traffic violations. Another dirtbag learned his lesson for running from the police state. You are the one trying to spin the simple facts.