The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: PegLeg45 on March 13, 2014, 03:56:50 PM
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This incident happened a couple of weeks ago, but the full length video has been released recently.
You can scroll down toward the end of the article for the dash-cam footage.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/03/13/dashcam-shows-deputy-shooting-70-year-old-man-at-traffic-stop-but-what-cop-did-next-might-be-the-biggest-shock/
The deputy mistook the man's cane for a shotgun. At the distance they are apart, and the motions of the man, I can see where the mis-identification could have occurred.
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This incident happened a couple of weeks ago, but the full length video has been released recently.
You can scroll down toward the end of the article for the dash-cam footage.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/03/13/dashcam-shows-deputy-shooting-70-year-old-man-at-traffic-stop-but-what-cop-did-next-might-be-the-biggest-shock/
The deputy mistook the man's cane for a shotgun. At the distance they are apart, and the motions of the man, I can see where the mis-identification could have occurred.
Let's see what happens to the cop.
All I want is that they be held to the same high standards civilians are. What do you think would happen to you if you gunned down someone walking on your property because you thought the cane they were using to get around was a gun?
Maybe there should be a law requiring all canes to have red tips on them so the police can tell them from real guns.
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It didn't look like a gun to me.
Any time someone gets out of the car without being told to the cops pull their gun. I don't blame for doing that. If I get pulled over I'm sitting there with my hands on the wheel until told otherwise.
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Let's see what happens to the cop.
All I want is that they be held to the same high standards civilians are. What do you think would happen to you if you gunned down someone walking on your property because you thought the cane they were using to get around was a gun?
Maybe there should be a law requiring all canes to have red tips on them so the police can tell them from real guns.
Probably nothing.
And for the record, I feel the same way about being held to standards.
**For clarification:
I just stated that I could see how the mistake could have been made.... This is not the first time something has been mistaken for a weapon after a lawman ordered someone to stop moving.
Maybe the old man was hard of hearing, I don't know.
I was in no way trying to justify the shooting, if that was read into the OP.
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Probably nothing.
And for the record, I feel the same way about being held to standards.
**For clarification:
I just stated that I could see how the mistake could have been made.... This is not the first time something has been mistaken for a weapon after a lawman ordered someone to stop moving.
Maybe the old man was hard of hearing, I don't know.
I was in no way trying to justify the shooting, if that was read into the OP.
Sorry, Peg..I did do that...and I know better.
Because you understand why something happened and can explain the actions does not mean you excuse those actions in any way.
Understanding how things happen, especially mistakes, is the tool to avoiding a similar "situation".
Insight into the motives, desires and beliefs that lead to "bad" actions is a major part of knowing your "enemy".
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No worries.
In actuality, I have wondered about the possibility of being in a situation like this myself....but from the old gentleman's side, since I routinely carry a cane (larger diameter and bulkier than normal...and could be mistaken for a shotgun in an adrenalin-fueled situation).
It has been many years since I was last pulled over, but if it happens in the future, my plan is much like what JumboFrank stated.....windows down, engine off, hands on the wheel until directed to act.
If asked to exit the vehicle, I plan to clearly and verbally communicate the unique method it takes for me to exit my truck (because of the way I have to move my prosthetic left leg), along with the mentioning of my cane.
** I was pulled over once for no particular reason (profiled for being in the wrong place at the right time I guess.....but that is another story ??) before I had a prosthetic leg. When the officer asked me to step out of the vehicle I said, "Sure. Be glad to if you'll be so kind as to hand me my walker out of the back of the truck...or let my wife get it."
The officer kindly let me sit in the truck with the door open (while waiting for the drug-sniffing K-9 unit to arrive...remind me to tell that story some other time).