NOT JUSTIFIED??

[LosMediasBlancas]

Are these people kidding? If a cop shouldn't be allowed to shoot a suspect when that suspect has a real looking gun in his hand, when can he shoot one?

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-teen09.html

[juddling]

Are these people kidding? If a cop shouldn't be allowed to shoot a suspect when that suspect has a real looking gun in his hand, when can he shoot one?

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-teen09.html

 

but don't you know....the evil Chicago Police like to use Cabrini Green residents as target practice.

 

[StrangeSox]

Don't want to get shot? Don't point realistic-looking weapons at police. Pretty simple. And its not like it was a 7 year old outside playing, the kid was 14.

[LosMediasBlancas]

They're lucky the kid is not on an autopsy table having lead pulled otta his brain. If I'm a cop and a guy points what looks like a gun at me, I'm gonna squeeze the tigger til it goes 'click'.

[NorthSideSox72]

Tragedy all around. For the kid, the family, and the cop who will need therapy.

 

But as far as I can tell, the cop did zero wrong.

 

And one might ask the families who are complaining... why is it your 14-year old kid out on the street pointing a gun at cops anyway? Where did he learn that was OK?

[LosMediasBlancas]

One girl protesting on the news this morning said something like: "c'mon, we're from Cabrini Green, we have enouigh street sense to not point a gun at a cop". If that kid REALLY had some street sense, he woulda known that having a gun in your hand, pointed at the cops or not, while being chased by cops, is a really bad idea.

[Cknolls]

Tragedy all around. For the kid, the family, and the cop who will need therapy.

 

But as far as I can tell, the cop did zero wrong.

 

And one might ask the families who are complaining... why is it your 14-year old kid out on the street pointing a gun at cops anyway? Where did he learn that was OK?

 

 

I love all the young ones out protesting in front of Children's Memorial Hospital at 10:00 P.M.

[Queen Prawn]

It makes me sick they are "protesting" over this kid while an innocent little girl was shot to death by a drive by while she was playing video games in her basement.

 

Why no protesting there for an innocent little girl?!

[NorthSideSox72]

It makes me sick they are "protesting" over this kid while an innocent little girl was shot to death by a drive by while she was playing video games in her basement.

 

Why no protesting there for an innocent little girl?!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[Texsox]

Since it is illegal for the kid to have a bb gun, it is reasonable to assume that the cops will treat all guns as potentially deadly. Sorry kid, don't be playing with guns. And as far as the witness who claimed the kid was trying to put it down, they have no way to know intent.

 

I have to say this about the cop: 4 shots from 10 feet away and only hit 3 for 4 and the kid is still alive? From 10 feet?? wtf? Learn to shoot.

[NorthSideSox72]

Since it is illegal for the kid to have a bb gun, it is reasonable to assume that the cops will treat all guns as potentially deadly. Sorry kid, don't be playing with guns. And as far as the witness who claimed the kid was trying to put it down, they have no way to know intent.

 

I have to say this about the cop: 4 shots from 10 feet away and only hit 3 for 4 and the kid is still alive? From 10 feet?? wtf? Learn to shoot.

Tex-

 

Let me tell you this, from some experience. 3 of 4 from inside 10 feet is actually well above the average. FBI stat from a while back: inside 10 feet, with pistols, typically 4 of the first 5 shots MISS their target. That includes cops (though cops' percentage is usually a little higher than the other guys').

 

There are many reasons for this. One, all the training in the world doesn't get rid of the sheer panic of that situation. It REDUCES it, but to variable extent. Also, it is not in the nature of most human beings to want to kill someone else. Therefore, psychologically, there is a strong motivation (unconscious) to miss. The fact that this was a kid may have only amplified that.

 

One other thing. Bullets are funny animals. 2 gunshots hitting within an inch of each other can make the difference between a minor wound and death.

[LosMediasBlancas]

Tex-

 

Let me tell you this, from some experience. 3 of 4 from inside 10 feet is actually well above the average. FBI stat from a while back: inside 10 feet, with pistols, typically 4 of the first 5 shots MISS their target. That includes cops (though cops' percentage is usually a little higher than the other guys').

 

There are many reasons for this. One, all the training in the world doesn't get rid of the sheer panic of that situation. It REDUCES it, but to variable extent. Also, it is not in the nature of most human beings to want to kill someone else. Therefore, psychologically, there is a strong motivation (unconscious) to miss. The fact that this was a kid may have only amplified that.

 

One other thing. Bullets are funny animals. 2 gunshots hitting within an inch of each other can make the difference between a minor wound and death.

 

 

or maybe he just wasn't trying to kill the kid.

[Texsox]

or maybe he just wasn't trying to kill the kid.

 

Then the "defending his life" argument falls away. If you are using deadly force, you have to be prepared to kill. Shoot for the biggest body mass, the chest. Not for limbs like in some spaghetti western. He claims the kid was trying to kill him, why would be be shooting to maim?

[AbeFroman]

I'm not calling anyone liars, but doesn't it seem strange that a kid would try to use a BB gun to defend himself against three armed police officers?

 

Thats strange to me. I believe kids are stupid... but that is absurdly stupid... basically suicide. I wonder if we actually have all the facts here.

 

I'm a white guy from the northern suburbs. I have nothing in common with this kid from cabrini... But I'll hold off on judgment on this kid right now. It sorta feels like all the facts aren't there.

 

Edit: I'm probably going to get blasted in some posts now. I know that.

Edited August 9, 2006 by AbeFroman

[LosMediasBlancas]

I'm not calling anyone liars, but doesn't it seem strange that a kid would try to use a BB gun to defend himself against three armed police officers?

 

Thats strange to me. I believe kids are stupid... but that is absurdly stupid... basically suicide. I wonder if we actually have all the facts here.

 

I'm a white guy from the northern suburbs. I have nothing in common with this kid from cabrini... But I'll hold off on judgment on this kid right now. It sorta feels like all the facts aren't there.

 

I think the kid who got shot had used the gun to rob another kid earlier. That's what set off the search for him. When the cops found him, was still carying the gun. A street smart kid knows to drop the gun immediately.

[mr_genius]

I believe kids are stupid... but that is absurdly stupid...

 

 

i think he is probably that absurdly stupid.

[NorthSideSox72]

or maybe he just wasn't trying to kill the kid.

First, there is no such thing as non-deadly force with a gun. Period. Legally, that is just the reality. You shoot someone, regardless of aim or intent, you are using deadly force.

 

Second, contrary to pupular belief, cops are NOT taught to "shoot him in the leg" or any other Hollywood nonsense. As Tex said, you aim for center mass. The only exceptions I have ever heard of are the very, very high end snipers (who still usually go center mass anyway), or if you are using your gun in close quarters (like, you are wrestling with someone, and you stick the gun at a certain part). Other than those rare instances, you go center mass.