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South Carolina Trooper Shoots Unarmed Man During Traffic Stop

by ForumGuru Banned
10 replies
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The trooper faces 20 years if convicted. The driver was pulled over for a seat belt violation and survived a shot to the hip.


CNN Story

http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/25/justic...ing/index.html

Cheers

-don
  • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
    Somebody's itchie trigger finger has landed him in hot water. Thankfully no one died.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Truly tragic.

      The guy did look like he was reaching for something. Not really suspicious...but unexpected. I can see the trooper pulling his gun. But firing? No.

      It was obvious that the trooper immediately knew what he had done, and that it was a huge mistake.

      A very bad day for both. I hope the kid wasn't badly injured.
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      • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
        I'm surprised they fired and are apparently going to press charges on the trooper. The cop who killed the walmart shopper for having a empty pellet gun was not indicted by a grand jury. :/

        Ohio Walmart video reveals moments before officer killed John Crawford | World news | theguardian.com

        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post


        The guy did look like he was reaching for something. Not really suspicious...but unexpected.
        Well, the cop asked him for his driver license. I mean, if the cop asks someone for their drivers license and they reach for something, shouldn't the first thing the cop think they are reaching for is a drivers license?
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        • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
          Originally Posted by TimPhelan View Post

          Well, the cop asked him for his driver license. I mean, if the cop asks someone for their drivers license and they reach for something, shouldn't the first thing the cop think they are reaching for is a drivers license?
          The guy reached back into his car. And he moved suddenly. I would have drawn my weapon too. But firing it was not a right response.

          The video you posted? The police were told the guy had a gun. I didn't hear any audio. But I see why they thought he had a loaded gun. And why else would someone be standing in a store with a gun?

          They shot too quickly, in my opinion. But I wasn't there. Anyway, I'm just commenting on the video.
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          • Profile picture of the author discrat
            That's why my Dad always said anytime you open your door to get out of the car make sure your Wallet is in your Pocket. Always !

            This Policeman really should get some jail time for this, though.

            Totally reckless and inept !!
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    I agree with Claude's view. He seemed to move swiftly into his car...

    One of my employees is from Oklahoma and we were talking about their police procedures last week.

    For a traffic stop, the cop does not get out of the car, or stands behind his door until the citizen has complied with his loudspeaker instructions to get out, have all the paperwork ready, and hands visible. It seems like a smarter way to handle traffic stops and I wonder if their law enforcement have statistically significantly less incidents than other agencies.

    In Colorado we are told that getting out of the car until asked is worse. The best thing to do is wait for the officer with your hands on top of the steering wheel and then move slowly while getting your paperwork.... Have the dome light on at night. Radio or stereo off.

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    Of course the Ohio Wal-Mart shooting is very, very sad. But, due to the 911 information law enforcement received, the gun being waived around, and the way the suspect went back towards the gun, I don't think I would find the cops guilty either.

    A couple of years ago, one of my housekeepers was stripping a bed and a hand gun popped out of the bedding. Understandably, it totally scared her. It turned out to be an airsoft pistol the guest had forgotten about.

    We called the local police. The officer who retrieved it said that if somebody was flashing it around him,
    he'd treat it as real. He has 25 years experience and is also a US Marshall. (I've heard that having a relevant Master's Degree is a prerequisite to become a Marshall.) I'm no gun expert and the thing looked real enough to me until I read the brand on the side. It's fairly heavy too.

    Dan
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
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      Originally Posted by bizgrower View Post

      I agree with Claude's view. He seemed to move swiftly into his car...
      <><><><><><><><><>

      Of course the Ohio Wal-Mart shooting is very, very sad. But, due to the 911 information law enforcement received, the gun being waived around, and the way the suspect went back towards the gun, I don't think I would find the cops guilty either.

      Dan
      I disagree that his movements could seem suspicious. When a cop tells you to do something and you don't do it fast enough, you get shot. Do it too fast and you still get shot. This cop doesn't need to be a cop if he can't handle this situation any better than this.

      The Ohio Wal-Mart ... they should all go to jail for homicide. These guys gunned this guy down within seconds of seeing him. I didn't see any time lapse between the cops arriving and the cops finding and killing this guy. And who was the genius that called 911 because someone was in the aisle with an air rifle in their hands ... an item that is sold there and it's pretty apparent from the display what aisle he was in.
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  • Profile picture of the author alistair
    The only one who made a mistake was the cop, the guy who got shot was just doing as he was told. He patted his pocket realising his wallet or license wasn't in it and turned back into the car to get it. I don't think he moved quick, although he did when he got surprised by a cop suddenly shouting at him.

    I do feel sorry for the cop though. Living and policing in a country where lots of people carry guns and lots of people get shot has obviously made him fearful, or paranoid.
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    The cop definitely made a huge mistake there's no doubt about it. He should be punished accordingly. However, we are looking at it after the fact. Someone reaching for a gun after being pulled over is not unprecedented. If the guy were to have pulled out a gun, the cop literally would have had a split second to see it before he himself was shot. - Hence the training they receive with the lifelike targets that popup with and without guns.

    This guy seemed a bit paranoid though, and should have been better trained.
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  • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
    I watched the video, Kinda looked to me like the cop started shooting when the guys back was to him.
    Plus, did I hear 4 rounds fired? What a lousy shot.
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