The Thin Blue Line.

[slag]

You realize that you're digging a bigger hole right?

Stating that the hug replaced shooting him is the stupidest thing you've stated here.

Are you seriously suggesting that, instead of shooting him, they ran up to him after he stopped pulling the trigger and hugged him?

They hugged him after he was disarmed and taken into custody.

I hope this is just an internet "I have to win the argument and can't admit any faulty logic" thing ... because it's getting really stupid.

[Ground_Meat]

This is what you get from the cops when you are not a cop:

http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ss...l#incart_river

You can't be serious.

[RSE]

Serious question: would the cops have been within their legal rights to use force by gunfire against an armed assailant to rescue a critically injured citizen?

[TerpEagle]

You realize that you're digging a bigger hole right?

Stating that the hug replaced shooting him is the stupidest thing you've stated here.

Are you seriously suggesting that, instead of shooting him, they ran up to him after he stopped pulling the trigger and hugged him?

They hugged him after he was disarmed and taken into custody.

I hope this is just an internet "I have to win the argument and can't admit any faulty logic" thing ... because it's getting really stupid.

My logic is that the police officer who committed murder and during a standoff with police fired bullets into a car was treated differently than an average citizen would have been treated.

It's not a an exchange of "getting a hug" for "being shot" from the police. It's the exchange of "not being shot" for "being shot".

That's the root issue. The hug is just further absurdity of the situation and a symbolic aspect of the favoritism.

Not only did they not shoot this murderer and clear danger to the public, they then comforted him. That's absolutely absurd.

[Riccardo]

Here is where we agree

How did they know the wife was dead in the car? She could have been barely alive. By standing back and not taking him down once he started firing again, they made sure he finished her off. Indefensible.

IF the cops on the scene knew he was a cop at that moment, and IF they had a clear shot to take him out without endangering others, and therefore didn't shoot only because he was a cop, then yes that is fucked up and indefensible. Let's see if in fact that is actually the case before rushing to judgement.

[slag]

Of course.

EDITED TO ADD: I did not read what you said carefully. I'm actually not sure about that. But when he started shooting again, they certainly could have.

[slag]

PS -

If I had to guess I imagine they might be able to in this instance in the same way police snipers shoot people who present a clear danger to others.

I suppose if they knew she was injured, they could shoot him because he was armed and presented a lethal danger to her.

[Ground_Meat]

IF the cops on the scene knew he was a cop at that moment, and IF they had a clear shot to take him out without endangering others, and therefore didn't shoot only because he was a cop, then yes that is fucked up and indefensible. Let's see if in fact that is actually the case before rushing to judgement.

THIS.

[wynnron123]

Being a cop is a difficult job. You need to give these guys some leeway.

I agree a 1000%. I could never be a cop. I would probably end up as a serial killer with a uniform on dealing with some of these animals out here. The movie Maniac Cop is a prime example.

[rdog5]

You or I would have likely already been given a death sentence in this situation.

Cos shoots him and complaints of over zealous officers shooting is the complaint. Peaceful resolution means they were too light. Instead of making up story endings in your head that you have absolutely no knowledge of why not educate yourself. Go sit down with an officer and listen and learn about their perspective and police tactics. Realize that of over 700,000 officers in this country less than 1% are committing these act. That every cop wants a dirty cop put away. But also that workplace laws force some departments to keep guys. I personally have seen officers fired and after a lawsuit re-instated. Nobody wanted him back but he exploited the law in his favor.

Keep living in your fantasy world where only your opinion matters. It is better to think you are right and stay uneducated then risk that the world is more complex than you can handle.

[rdog5]

Serious question: would the cops have been within their legal rights to use force by gunfire against an armed assailant to rescue a critically injured citizen?

Pennsylvania law allows you to use deadly force to prevent serious bodily injury or death. There are also escaping felony situations which are complicated. If he is shooting into an empty car and not endangering others, then deadly force would not be authorized. At any point where he would start to turn the gun towards any citizen then lethal force is authorized.

The argument can be made shooting at all can be dangerous but the officer would have to articulate how he or anybody else was threatened by shooting into a car which is difficult.

[RSE]

How about his wife who lay dying in the car?

[slag]

I believe the news story indicated that the car wasn't empty, his either dead or wounded ex-wife was in it.

If they did not know she was dead, would they have been justified in shooting him in PA?

[rdog5]

How about his wife who lay dying in the car?

Thats where investigation needs to take place to determine if their inaction caused the death of her. I didn't bother to read the article so not going to give specifics. Some punk killed his wife and he will get whats coming to him but it doesn't bring their mother back.

[rdog5]

I believe the news story indicated that the car wasn't empty, his either dead or wounded ex-wife was in it.

If they did not know she was dead, would they have been justified in shooting him in PA?

Like my previous post, its hard to say what they did or didn't know. Me personally if there is a person in the car I think I would unload on him regardless of if I think she is dead. It is very difficult for anybody to place ourselves inside the minds of those that have to make a split second decision.