Who Cries For Roy Oliver? Not Me

The arrest pictures of Balch Springs police officer Roy Oliver tell his side of the story. You see him almost in tears as his life has come crashing down around him. He seems remorseful, distraught that it has come to this. Turned on by his own department.

His mother called him, “a man of strong character.” She said, “He is a very devoted father of two young children, and he is deep in faith.” Yet two weeks earlier, after being rear-ended, he pulled his gun on 26-year old Monique Arredondo while asking for her license. Her 13-year old sister was in the back seat crying. When asked for a comment on the earlier incident. Dallas police spokeswoman Debra Webb said, “the responding officers determined no offense occurred.”

15-year-old Jordan Edwards was also reputed to be of fine character. He maintained a 4.0 Grade Point Average. Was a member of the Mesquite High freshman football team and was beloved by his fellow students. When things got rowdy at a party Edwards was attending. He did the responsible thing, he left.

When called to the scene of that party where there was reportedly underage drinking going on. Officer Oliver was the second policeman on the scene. He saw a car full of teenagers including Jordan Edwards. He shot into the vehicle four times with his MC5 rifle. One of those shots killed Jordan Edwards.

Roy Oliver was remorseful when he took his mug shots after his arrest. He didn’t seem so when he lied about what happened the night he killed Jordan Edwards. He told a tale of a car that was “aggressively driving in reverse” towards him. In a familiar refrain, he was “in fear for his life.” Jordan Edwards had no reason to be afraid for his life. He was a responsible kid with a bright future. He’d done nothing wrong, and now he’s dead.

Body-cam footage showed the car containing Jordan Edwards was not heading in reverse towards Oliver but driving away. The car was never a threat to Oliver but he fired four shots into it anyway. He’s sorry now, there’s no indication he was before his arrest.

I wonder if the officers who ‘determined no offense occurred” two weeks prior are sorry as well? An intervention then might have left Jordan Edwards alive today. There are alleged reports of PTSD from his time in the service. Instead of treatment he got a gun and a badge. The police chief who rushed to his first press conference defending his officer. He looked sorry when he had to retract his initial reports of self-defense. That 4 of the 5 police officers of Balch Springs are white while 4 out of 5 residents are black is worthy of consideration. Is anyone sorry for that?

Roy Oliver may have one point? He is not the only one responsible for putting us in the situation he’s arrived at. The police force that looks down on the community. When the car containing Edwards was stopped two blocks away. They arrested his companions, calling one of them a “nigger.” They overlooked the fact he Oliver out of control, sweeping his behavior under the rug. He had a proven roadmap to follow. Citing “fear for his life” is usually enough to justify murder, except for the camera’s this time that proved him a liar.

I try to feel compassion for Roy Oliver but it does not come. Mine is reserved for the family that lost a loving son. The teammates experiencing their loss. The school missing one of its finest citizens. I feel for those who look like Jordan whose innocence is lost as they realize that they live in a world not safe. I think Roy Oliver’s tears are not for what he’s done but for being caught. My tears are for Jordan, and that he’s gone too soon.

Yet Another Name, 15-Year-Old Jordan Edwards

Because I feel like I’ve written this story too many times. I just can’t gather myself to write about the shooting death of 15-year-old Jordan Edwards. The police initially claimed the car he was in was “backing aggressively” towards the officer. The 6-year veteran of the force was as always, “in fear for his life.” Video footage showed he lied and in fact the car he shot into was moving away from him. The unnamed officer has been placed on administrative leave with pay (vacation).

Photo: twitter.com

I looked back to see that I’d written about  Bernard Bailey who I’d played basketball against and went to Fisk rival Tennessee State University.

I wrote about  Walter Scott,  Joe McKnight,  Alfred Olango,  Tyre King, Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott. I even wrote about What if it was me!

I’ll leave it to others to tell the story of Jordan Edwards. I’m just a little weary right now but I’ll get back up and take on the next one. Promise!

Featured photo: twitter.com

When We Said Their Names… I Missed One

Bernard Bailey is the 7^th leading all time scorer in the history of Tennessee State University (TSU) basketball. I recognize five of the six players ahead of him. Some by reputation, others I had the chance to know and play with or against. The leading scorer, Dick Barnett played 12 seasons in the NBA. Nine with the New York Knicks. The last time the Knicks won an NBA Championship. Dick Barnett with his “fall back baby” jump shot was there.

Ted “Hound” McClain played several years with the NBA and ABA before the merger. He was a close friend of my Fisk University assistant basketball coach Kindell Stephens. I knew Ted when he was with the ABA Kentucky Colonels. When he was in Nashville, he often stopped by Fisk and sometimes participated in pick-up games during the off season.

Leonard “Truck” Robinson, 3^rd on the list, was a senior at TSU when I was a freshman at Fisk. I’d seen him play in the Vanderbilt Invitational Tournament but never played against him until we met in the NCAA Division II Regional Semi-finals. The game was legendary in local circles. Although both Fisk and TSU both had excellent teams and were a mile apart on Jefferson St. The teams almost never played each other. It’s one of those games that people “remember being there.” Far more than the 5,400 people that could actually fit in Kean’s Little Garden where TSU hosted the game. Although I played a pivotal role in our victory the night before against James Madison. Against TSU, despite hearing from people that I “dropped 20-30 points” against Truck Robinson. I had a more modest 7 points and 3 rebounds. Fisk won a close game where we pulled away at the end, 65-54. Truck Robinson who was averaging 25 points scored 15 points with 14 rebounds.  Fortunately, Fisk had three players score in double figures (Hastings, Gold, and Lee), and victory was ours.

The following year, the teams did not meet. Truck Robinson was replaced at center by heavily recruited Bernard Bailey from South Carolina. Because I typically read the sports pages daily (looking for my own name). I was aware of Bailey’s success. It was the following summer when a few Fisk players drove the mile to the TSU gym to participate in some pick-up games. We walked in the gym with a little swagger, our last visit ending in a major victory. Teams were chosen, I remember being guarded by Forward Joe Webb during the first game but by the second game I was matched up with my physical counterpart, Center Bernard Bailey.

I was at the time 6’6″ and about 225 lbs. Bailey I remember as being 6’7″ and a little stockier. Basketball is a physical game and there was a lot of contact. After a hour or so of bumping, shoving, and elbowing. I found that Bernard was strong, assertive on the basketball court, and extremely likeable. During his TSU career he amassed 1,700 points, was in the top ten all-time in several offensive categories and rebounding. It was the only time I ever met Bernard Bailey but I’ll always remember him. Had we spent more time together we would have been friends. I learned today that Bernard Bailey is dead.

Bernard was born in small Eutawville, SC., population 344. He was a lifelong member of the Springfield Missionary Baptist Church. It was there his final services were held and he was buried in the church cemetery. He didn’t die within the past few days. It was on May 2, 2011 that Bernard, unarmed, was killed by the Eutawville Police Chief, Richard Combs.

When you think of Eutawville… think of Andy Griffith’s Mayberry. Their police force is a bit larger than that of Andy and Barney. They have two police dogs, Max and Rocky. I imagine in a town of 344 most people know each other. The incident that led to his death started a few days earlier when his daughter Briana was stopped by Richard Combs for a tag light violation. Briana called her father to the scene and Combs and Bailey got into an argument. It is reported that while not cursing, Bailey was loud and “disrespectful.” Apparently Combs didn’t handle disrespect very well. Combs returned to his office and had an “obstruction of justice warrant” drawn up against Bailey which he didn’t immediately serve and of which Bernard was unaware.

On May 2, 2011, Bernard Bailey went to the courthouse to talk to Combs about the initial citation when Combs tried to arrest him on the warrant. Bailey said, “You’ve got to be kidding me,” and left. Bailey got into his truck as Combs chased him. Combs entered the still open door as Bailey began backing out of the parking lot. Combs shot him three times. Twice in the chest and once in the shoulder.

Combs was tried twice for murder, each resulting in a hung jury and a mistrial. He claimed self-defense under South Carolina’s, “Stand Your Ground Law.” Instead of pursuing a third trial. Combs plead guilty to a misconduct change and was sentenced to ten years in prison which was reduced to five years of probation and one year of house arrest. He never spent one night in jail. The City of Eutawville settled separately with the family for $400,000 in a wrongful death suit. Combs lost his position with the police force. Bernard Bailey lost his life.

When names were being said of Black unarmed victims killed by police officers. I missed Bernard Bailey’s at the time. I’m angry about “Stand Your Ground” which always seems selective in nature. I’m annoyed at all the people claiming, “race wasn’t a factor,” when the whole disrespect motivation seems to be all about race. I’m saddened that someone who literally looked like me in size, skin tone and age is dead and received no justice. Most of all there’s a sense of loss. Of a friendship that could have been. A family’s loss of a husband and father. Of fairness and justice. This event was almost six years ago and I just found out. The pain is no less now than it would have been then. The cumulative grief from events like these is building. Where does it end?

When The Dead, Unarmed, Black Male Is Me!

When the Dead, Unarmed Black Male is me!

The one constant in the slew of killings by police of unarmed Black males is that we never heard their side of the story. We never heard that they never heard any warning while walking thru Wal-Mart with a toy gun or carrying a toy gun in their waistband. We never heard what caused a young man to engage in a struggle with an officer in a police car or what the man was thinking while walking down a Brooklyn stairway because the elevator was taking too long.

We hear of course about the enormous size and strength of the now dead victims. That they looked like demons and despite non-athletic builds had the strength of professional wrestlers. We hear of the officer’s fear for their lives as they approached these men (or boys) armed with pill bottles or toy guns or nothing and how they had no choice but to shoot. Their fear apparently extends to the dying bodies on the ground as they offer no medical attention while they bleed out. They stand around and keep their distance, in one case calling their PBA rep before calling in the shooting.

I fall in the demographic most likely to be killed one day so I want to make my statement now while I can because in the event it’s one day me on the ground, my talking will be done. I say I’m in the demographic because not only am I a Black male, I stand 6’6” and have what I’ll refer to as an athletic build although these days I’m looking more like a football lineman than the basketball player I once was. People that know me have referred to me as “Baby Huey” or a “gentle giant” or “still Bill”. I’ve been in two fights in my life and violence will truly be the last resort. So if you hear about how I viciously attacked someone in a rage please know that it wasn’t me.

While I don’t use drugs, make drug deals in cars, engage in strong armed robbery or threaten people by waving toy guns, I do engage in a dangerous activity… I walk. My walks take me around lakes and to parks and because I live in a city, thru residential neighborhoods not my own. I go different directions to change things up and one day I might be that strange Black man that obviously doesn’t belong whose only purpose must be criminal, looking for someplace to rob.

I once had a Weimaraner, a German hound bred to run all day hunting birds and we would walk several miles a day. He was a rescue dog and something in his past made him afraid of everything. Cats eventually refused to move and made him walk around. I would walk him mostly off his leash but as someone approached from the opposite direction I would leash him so as to give that person comfort, not for fear of what the dog would do. Now it is I who has to take the extra step not to instill fear in the strangers I meet.

The media, police statements and killers portraying themselves as victims all let us know of the size and strength of the slain men inferring that alone is reason for fear and to justify of course their execution. So when they report my size and strength, please remember me as Baby Huey.

Know that I didn’t have a gun in my possession nor do I own one. As a child my parents owned a gun they were certain that I didn’t know about. It was kept in their bedroom closet out of reach, unloaded with the bullets kept separately. This didn’t keep me from finding it, loading it and taking it into the basement and attempting to fire it. Fortunately it didn’t go off which probably saved my life. Whether the bullet ricocheted and hit me or I shot up the water heater and had to explain to my parents, death was a good possibility. What I learned was to never underestimate the resourcefulness of a child or later in life just how mad I could make a woman so I’ve never wanted a gun around.

Know that I’m very respectful, almost never curse and am fairly non-confrontational physically although rhetorically I give as good as I get. I’ve heard my demeanor on the basketball court is a little different, no doubt egged on by my youngest daughter who would scream out “bow ‘em Daddy” when I took her to my church league games. My basketball games are now over so any report of my violent and physical behavior will also be untrue.

When they scour my past to portray me as a thug (and therefore justify my death), know that Phi Beta Sigma isn’t a gang and that my initiation didn’t involve bullying and hazing. The current Attorney General was attacked for her membership in Delta Sigma Theta and she should be left alone on that account as well. One of the two fights I mentioned occurred in 6th grade on the Field Elementary School playground and the other was part of a group scuffle at Lane College when some members of the basketball team didn’t like getting beat. If video’s surface of either event please know that these were anomalies and not regular behavior. I didn’t start either one if that matters.

Know that I had a good life although I would have liked for it to have been longer. I have wonderful longtime friends and a great family. I’ll paraphrase something a friend said in quite another context. Whatever story they tell to justify my demise, “if it’s not on video or they didn’t put their hand on me when I was doing it… it wasn’t me!”

Featured Photo: Star Tribune

MISTRIAL??? The Walter Scott Murder

A single white juror is unwilling to find Michael Slager guilty of murdering a black man running from him. Walter Scott was shot several times in the back as shown in the photo. The judge has declared a recess in an attempt to break the impasse. Apparently there is no possible evidence sufficient to get justice. The other eleven jurors have passed a note asking for the lone holdout to be removed.

Another Unarmed Black Man: Joe McKnight

 

 

Another young man is gone. Shot to death at a New Orleans intersection. Initial reports suggest road rage led to the shooting. According to a witness statement the shooter fired once and said, “I told you not to f**k with me!” Then fired again. The man who was shot and killed was Joe McKnight. He was a local football hero having excelled in High School football. Played running back at USC. He ultimately played a few seasons in the NFL for the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs along with a season in the CFL. He was Black. And he was unarmed.

The shooter was 54-year old Ronald Glasser. During a press conference by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand. He was asked if Glasser had a criminal record? Normand responded, “there was an incident over 10 year ago.” He didn’t go into further detail. He indicated his department was still researching whether Glasser had a concealed carry permit for his gun. He assured us Glasser was cooperating in every way. Glasser was released without charges. He’s white.

Sheriff Normand assured everyone there’s no reason to think the situation was about race. “Everyone wants to make this about race. This is not about race!” He appealed to people (Black People) not to protest as there was no cause. He was asked about the applicability of “Stand Your Ground Laws?” He started to say it was a factor that had to be considered before deciding not to comment further as it might “taint other witness statements.”

Sheriff Normand felt it important we all know that someone who helped raise Joe McKnight formerly worked in the Sheriff’s office which was I imagine supposed to assure us of a proper investigation. He indicated that the investigation was not yet complete. Gasser could still be charged and we shouldn’t worry because he was after all so cooperative. Other reports indicate Gasser was released after telling his version of events to police. McKnight didn’t tell his story… he’s dead.

Of course it’s folly to suggest this isn’t about race. If a white unarmed local hero had been killed by a Black man who shot him, made a statement then shot him again while he laid on the ground. Is there any scenario where he walks away without being charged? Is there any explanation of a road rage incident where he gets out of his car with a gun and shoots the other driver. If he were Black wouldn’t we already be looking at his 10-year-old mug shots, listening to him being labeled a thug? Witness say McKnight was heard apologizing to Gasser before being shot. Until there is justice, there will be no peace!

Say One More Name: Alfred Olango

When Alfred Olango’s sister called 911 yesterday, she wanted to get him some help. She made sure to tell them he was “mentally ill. “I called three times for them to help me,” she said. “Nobody came; they said it’s not a priority.”

El Cajon, CA is about 15 miles Northeast of San Diego. It’s around 69% white and 6% black according to the last census. An unarmed black man is just as dead there as in Tulsa, OK or Cleveland, OH or North Charleston, SC. Witnesses are unsure if Alfred Olango was having a seizure or what the exact nature of his distress was? He was acting erratic and walking in traffic according to reports. They are certain he was shot multiple times. It’s reported that up to twenty police officers arrived on the scene before the ambulance finally arrived. His sister said he died on the scene. Other reports say he died later at a local hospital. All agree on his death.

Police say Alfred had his hands in his pockets and ultimately pulled something out of his pocket, assumed a “shooting stance” while pointing the object at the police. At least one witness say Alfred had his hands up. Another confirms portions of the police story. A woman voluntarily provided a cell phone video to the police. They released one still photo showing Mr. Olango pointing at an officer in a stance. There will be calls to release the rest of the video. We’ll see if transparency extends to all the evidence and not just a single frame supporting the police side? His sister said to police, “I just called for help, and you came and killed him.”

The facts will sort themselves out. We know police knew when responding that it was a “5150 Call” and that the victim was demonstrating mental instability. The area has a Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) for just such occasions, they were not brought in. We know that Alfred Olango was unarmed. He’s now dead. He was 30.

Protesters in Charlotte have not yet put down their signs before we have another man dead across the country. Protests have begun along with calls for transparency. The cycle begins anew. Time for a change!

Where Is The Truth?

Tyre King, Terence Crutcher, Keith Lamont Scott; the one undeniable truth is that these black males are dead. Killed by police. After that we have opinions, and lies, where is the truth?

Tyre King, a 13-year-old boy was killed by police who say he had a “realistic” BB gun with a laser sight. To make their story more convincing they showed us a picture of a different gun. A different gun. Yes, the picture they showed us looked very much like a real gun. It had no orange tip, no laser sight. Why not take a picture of the actual BB gun? Did it differ from the picture they showed us? Police say he pulled the BB gun and pointed it at them, leaving them no choice but to shoot him. An autopsy was performed with no results released. An independent autopsy was ordered by the family which said, “more than likely he was running away.” All three shots hit him in the back. Where is the truth?

Terence Crutcher had his hands up. Shot and killed by Officer Betty Shelby. Thru her lawyer, she said she shot when Terence was reaching into his vehicle. My view of the video and the reflections off the window indicate to me the window was up. A family attorney showed an enlarged photo showing the window rolled up making it impossible for Mr. Crutcher to have reached in. A “source” from within the Tulsa Police Department says the window was rolled down. Why is this even a lingering question? Surely there were hundreds of contemporary crime scene photos showing one way or the other. The Tulsa Police Dept. Could settle it all by making a statement with accompanying time stamped photos or videos. What is the truth? Thru her attorney, Shelby’s story has changed somewhat saying Terence Crutcher wore loose clothing and kept “reaching for his pockets which could contain a gun.” Where is the truth?

 

Keith Lamont Scott, a father of seven was waiting for his son to come home from school. Several witnesses say he was unarmed, he didn’t own a gun, he was reading a book. The police say they recovered a gun. What was its history? Where was it purchased? Was it a throwdown? We know the officer who shot Mr. Scott was wearing plain clothes and wasn’t wearing a body camera. What of the other videos? Why not release them? Recent police statements now say they issued several warnings. The story keeps changing. Where is the truth?

Part of the truth is that the initial police statements are almost always self-serving. And usually fact-free. They tell us to “wait until the investigation is complete,” and then selectively leak information to shape the narrative. Many times they don’t name the officers involved while they scurry to tarnish the victim’s name. In stories about protests in Charlotte, we hear about the number of injured police officers. There was no mention of the citizens harmed, estimated to be about the same number. Where is the truth? As I write this right now. Charlotte police wearing riot gear have fired tear gas into crowds. There are reports of bottles being thrown and broken windows. There is a report of a new shooting with life-threatening injuries. No other information is available. Where is the truth?

Another (Yes Another) Black Man Killed By Police

I can’t write this story today… maybe tomorrow, maybe never. Another unarmed black man was slain by police in University City, NC a suburb of Charlotte. He was sitting in his car reading while waiting for his son to be dropped off after school. His name has not yet been released.

Police were looking for someone with outstanding warrants, this was not the man. Did I mention he was disabled?

Maybe tomorrow I’ll report that police claimed, “He posed an imminent deadly threat to the officers.” An eyewitness claimed he was tased and then shot at least three times.

Maybe tomorrow I’ll know the name of the book he was reading? Or the name of the victim? Did I mention he was disabled?

Maybe tomorrow the officers involved will be named but don’t bet on that. Maybe tomorrow I’ll watch the whole Livestream video recorded by his daughter. She learned her father was dead during the course of the recording.

Livestream

Maybe tomorrow there won’t be news of another black man killed by police? Maybe?

This post has been edited to include that police say the man was armed and that a gun was recovered at the scene. The family insists he did not own a gun and was reading a book. Police acknowledged te victim was not the man they were searching for but tried to insinuate a possible connection. Assuming a gun was actually recovered. I will be very interested in knowing how it got there? Surely the police wouldn’t place a throw down gun at the scene to cover up their mistake? To be continued…

Terence Crutcher: The Narrative

The narrative is forming. One that gives those that will never accept the reality of what the video clearly shows them; comfort in their denial of this most recent injustice. They say the “suspect” failed to obey police commands. We know this because this is what the police tell us. We saw a man with his hands in the air, walk slowly to his car, and place both hands on his vehicle. They say he was reaching for something thru the car window. The window was closed. They say he reached for “something in his waistband” that he “lowered his right arm.” Some at least recognize the possibility that being shot with a taser might have caused his arm to drop. Others are certain the taser was fired simultaneously, despite police reports which indicate the taser was fired first.They place the blame “100 percent on Terence Crutcher.” One suggested if he were stopped he’d lie on the ground motionless; as if Charles Kinsey didn’t get shot in N. Miami for doing just that. I’ll let them speak for themselves:

 

 

Aebe Mac Gill·

North Powder, Oregon

Drew Adams That the man was refusing to follow an officer’s instruction is not enough reason to kill , it is that the suspect’s every move is a threat . ‘Race’ is a made up issue , the percentage of whites shot by cops is higher than for blacks , and blacks murder a higher percentage of cops than any other ‘race’ .

Validate your 2nd Amendment Rights….. Carry

 

David Steen

Nancy Terry he for one was not following the order of the cop. Why is it every person shot by the cops was on their way to college or something to do with it or was doing nothing wrong. That cop had no idea what he was planning to do if he was to get in his car. And they drew their guns because he wasn’t following her order. And then walked away then put his hands down. It’s clear in this video that he wasn’t going to comply with anyone

 

Stony Leibensperger·

Pope, Mississippi

just my opinion but maybe if the black community wasnt targeting officers who are just sitting in their cruisers or getting gas or walking to their cars they wouldnt bee as jumpy… not excusing what they did but in todays society its a statistical fact that a cop is more likely to be killed by a black male than any other race… if I told u that anyone in a green shirt was more likely to shoot you than any other person all yall would prolly be more jumpy around people with green shirts…thats why you comply… had he complied he wouldnt of been tased or shot…

 

 

Earl E. Reeves Jr

Don’t know if the shooting was justified or not. However, If I am ever confronted by an officer with a gun I intend to get down on the ground with my hands over my head. They wouldn’t have to tell me anything.

 

 

Brad Tennant·

Casper, Wyoming

Should have complied…

 

Joseph Davis·

Norwood, Pennsylvania

2nd Amendmentsimply not complying….

 

 

2nd Amendment

Robert Strauss If you drop your hands to your waist as Crutcher did after being non-compliant that six officers were rolling to your location along with an air unit, then yeah… you run a VERY significant risk of being thought a deadly threat and fired upon.

 

Seth Eisenberg

Unless something unknown to us is being held back, it seems like a lawful shooting. It’s unfortunate that some people feel that they don’t have to follow the orders of the police. So all you Google Law Graduates this is the potential outcome of not listening to a police officer.

 

Todd Mcgarvey·

Control Systems EngineeratSKM, Inc.

yes OBEY or be killed!!

 

 

2nd Amendment

Samantha WesleyYou’re sadly mistaken. There are numerous documented instances of a suspect reaching into a vehicle/home/bag for a weapon. When Crutcher ignored multiple officers, went to his vehicle, and lowered his hand towards either the door handle or his waist (I can’t tell which), officers had reasonable suspicion that he was attempting to acquire a weapon. This justifies the use of deadly force in all 50 states.

 

David Jones·

Works atCommunication

Lol bull crap the first thin an officer. Is trained to do is orden the man down on the ground he walked back to his car ….im sure they ordered that….I would of blown his head off too!!!

 

David Jones·

Works atCommunication

Good job Tulsa officers…if they wont listen dont take the chance…YOUR to important to those who do listen …especialyYOUR families…..

 

Corey Missildine

Din du Nuffin!!! salute to the female officer!!!!#BlueLivesMatter

 

 

Roger Anderson·

Owner of the Best Private Campground in Ludington,MIatSelf-Employed

How do you figure? He walked away, put his hands down, no compliance. This could have been so avoidable, but no these idiots continue to have a flagrant disregard for law officers.

 

Robert Allen Louviere·

Sulphur, Louisiana

I saw that he was pulling on the door handle in the street level video

 

 

Lily Martin

Shanna S. Henson
I believe it’s standard practice for them to run a check on a license number so that they know who they’re dealing with. This individual had a criminal record and previous conviction for having a concealed weapon and resisting arrest. This information would make an officer very cautious indeed.

When Crutcher did not obey commands by walking away from the police, not keeping his hands in the air, and appeared to be about to open his car door, it’s little wonder he was shot. With his past history, and his current attitude he could quite easily have been reaching for a weapon.

There are no second chances, in police work. They cannot wait and see if this big hostile black dude, who is refusing to obey orders, is going to shoot them or not. In this case, the use of deadly force appears to be justified.

 

 

David Jones·

Works atCommunication

Lmao sir you are an idiot …You have no argument libtard …a judge and jury are not at the scene to determine the outcome …are you really that stupid not to know that…They did enforce the law ..the law states if an officer runs into an idiot that does not comply and feel the need for really force …Boom …thats the law dumb ass😎

 

David Jones·

Works atCommunication

Are you saying Im deplorable because Cops lives matter😎who cares what you think …

 

 

David Jones·

Works atCommunication

Oh ya …as I feel the big eye roll upon on me from Hillarys kids…I wish none of this would of happened …This man might of had a wife kids etc…and im not a hick that wants blacks killed by cops or anyone else ..But the moral is to do what they say ..unless you work for hillary…then its a car ride off a dock nite all….❤

 

 

David Hood·

Works atSelf-Employed

That’s why the police train a lot with their guns and use low powerAmunitionthat shouldn’t go thru a person and still have enough energy to harm a bystander if the guy had made it back in his vehicle the risk to the public would have been far greater to innocent people possibly miles away from the scene.Hind sight is always 20/20. Ya shoulda used a taser. Maybe so but you know what maybe the preacher shoulda just done as instructed and the officers wouldn’t have felt as if they had no choice. I hope police departments get rid of tasers and pepper spray and use nothing but guns big guns then just maybe all the unruly idiots will get the hint. While officers need to use discretion. They need to also be given the respect of authority otherwise everybody can do what they want which would lead to individuals having to defend theirselves by any means necessary. And that would be going backwards in society

 

Final Note: Many of the alleged factual statements from the posters are simply not true. Also, I had to turn off spell check to keep from losing my mind. Not saying there’s a correlation between literacy and the views of those making the comments, or perhaps I am? To be fair, there were a number of people, including white people with dissenting views from the commenters listed here. Lastly, the initial police statement thru their spokesperson completely justified the shooting. That was before the world saw the video.