Officer shoots double amputee in wheelchair in Houston

[Archetype]

Not sure what to make of this yet. Definitely a "what the fuck" situation

Link

I'll bet that this cop is younger than 30

[ebake02]

I find this disgusting, in what way is a one armed, one legged man waving a "metal object" a threat to this cop's life. I think a taser would have been more than sufficient in that situation. I hope that punk loses his job over this.

[Archetype]

I find this disgusting, in what way is a one armed, one legged man waving a "metal object" a threat to this cop's life. I think a taser would have been more than sufficient in that situation. I hope that punk loses his job over this.

There was no need for even a taser. All the cop had to do was take a couple of steps back. Was he afraid mr. amputee would catch up to him? The guy was probably waving a zebra pen. If the guy was as close to the cop as the statements claims he was, how on earth could the cop not realize it was a zebra pen or similar pen? A lot of stuff here just doesn't add up. Then they throw in the generic line "fearing for his safety and his partner's safety." Sounds like cops covering for cops. They do it all the time.

[ebake02]

I find this disgusting, in what way is a one armed, one legged man waving a "metal object" a threat to this cop's life. I think a taser would have been more than sufficient in that situation. I hope that punk loses his job over this.

There was no need for even a taser. All the cop had to do was take a couple of steps back. Was he afraid mr. amputee would catch up to him? The guy was probably waving a zebra pen. If the guy was as close to the cop as the statements claims he was, how on earth could the cop not realize it was a zebra pen or similar pen? A lot of stuff here just doesn't add up. Then they throw in the generic line "fearing for his safety and his partner's safety." Sounds like cops covering for cops. They do it all the time.

That's what bothers me about the cops in this country, they are very rarely held accountable when they make a bad decision. Unfortunately, I have a feeling this cop won't face any punishment.

[StevePerryHair]

Well when you are in their shoes you can judge. You threaten to stab a cop with ANY object, and you don't comply by dropping the object, yes, you will be shot dead. It's a pretty simple concept.

[Michigan Girl]

I agree w/Lynny ...evidently, someone felt threatened to
have called the police out there.

[The Sushi Hunter]

F with law enforcement and expect to be dealt with accordingly. Simple as that.

[Liam]

We don't take kindly to cripples here.

[StevePerryHair]

F with law enforcement and expect to be dealt with accordingly. Simple as that.

and its not because they are out there excited to kill people, excited to end things in such a violent way either. It's about their own safety, the safety of others, and trying to make the best decision in the few seconds they have to decide sometimes. Tasers do not take the place of guns either. There are specific situations where they can be used.

For instance, a cop here went to a call at a residence. The people opened the door when he rang, expecting someone else. Well the didn't secure their pitbull. The pitbull ran outside, and jumped on the officer, and bit him. The officer killed the dog. Sadly in front of the children living there too.

But OF COURSE the people go to the department to complain. "Why couldn't he just tase him"...everyone's favorite question...or pepper spray him.... Yeah right! He is supposed to risk getting mauled by a pitbull just because its their family pet? I don't think so.

Tasers are to make someone drop down for a few seconds, so the police can handcuff and subdue a person not complying. Anyone ever try to handcuff a DOG?? And affects from the taser don't last long. Then you have an angrier dog. Same with pepper spray. Our officers don't even carry it anymore. Too often you just end up with an angrier person/animal, and they risk further attack. It's about their own safety, and the safety of others around them. Pitbulls have killed grown adults. I don't blame him one bit. That dog should have been secured before answering a door. Pretty simple to avoid. I know this officer, I know he felt bad, but he had seconds to make the best decision he could, and I don't blame him.

Who knows why the wheel chair guy wasn't tased. I'm not even sure every agency even has tasers. Maybe they were too close to the guy to even use the taser. It shoots to a distance. We don't know how this guy had them cornered.

I love how people think cops get their jollies killing people. How would you like a job where you had to make life and death decisions? And have to live with those choices, with seconds to decide, hoping it's the right one? I wouldn't want that in a million years.

They are scrutinized by the public, by their employers...it's one of the only jobs I know where they are on the job, even when off. How many of you would lose your job based on something you did when you weren't even clocked in? They are constantly judged for every behavior on and off duty. And they feel the pressure of that.

Yes, some people who should never be cops are hired. Most agencies do weed them out. It may take time, but they do get them out. In our city, it doesn't take much. I know a few who were let go over the years for excessive force. And it was deserved. Those things aren't tolerated now, like they may have been in the past. But it also makes good officers a little afraid to make honest mistakes. I hate to think they could get killed or hurt second guessing themselves when they have that split second to decide what to do. It can be a matter of their own life or death.

[The Sushi Hunter]

History shows that police get killed often when they let their guard down.