Police Officer Killing OK'ed

[FrysInsider]

<< The police shooting of an actor who allegedly pointed a replica handgun at an officer at a Halloween party last year was justified because the officer believed the gun was real and feared for his life, a Los Angeles Police Department internal review board has found. >>



http://www.latimes.com/news/local/state/la-000084438oct23.story?coll=la%2Dnews%2Dstate


Doh!!!




<< Hopper, a three-year officer at the time of the shooting, fired nine shots at Lee. According to an autopsy report, he hit the actor once in the back of the head and three times in the back. Tests also revealed the presence of alcohol and cocaine in Lee's system. >>

 

[etech]

If you don't want to get shot, don't point a gun or even a replica of one at a police officer.

It's really a simple idea.

 

[Soybomb]

<< Hopper shined a flashlight into a room at the rear of the house and saw Lee pointing a gun at hims >>


Damn I pointed a gun at a cop. He saw a drunken guy on cocaine aiming a weapon at him and shot. I'm shocked and dead because I was stupid.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

hate to say good, but that guy was an idiot. the cop had every right to protect himself.

point: dont point things that look like guns at cops.

 

[damien6]

<< "It's clear from the angle of the shots there was movement by Mr. Lee," the chief said. Parks also cited an unnamed witness who purportedly backed Hopper's claim. >>



Seems ok in my book.







<< Attorney Johnnie L. Cochran Jr., who successfully defended O.J. Simpson largely by challenging the competency and honesty of LAPD officers who investigated Simpson's ex-wife's slaying, said he plans to take on the department's handling of the Lee shooting. >>



Damned, I think someone smell money big time.

 

[b0mbrman]

A terrible accident. Both parties involved would be much better off if it had not happened.

 

[FrancesBeansRevenge]

<< he hit the actor once in the back of the head and three times in the back. >>




OH NO LOOK THIS MEANS THE COP SHOT THE GUY NEEDLESSLY!

BAN COPS!

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

<< Hopper, a three-year officer at the time of the shooting, fired nine shots at Lee. According to an autopsy report, he hit the actor once in the back of the head and three times in the back. Tests also revealed the presence of alcohol and cocaine in Lee's system. >>

Hard to argue with death due to stupidity posts but what kind of side arm are these cops carrying? If you point a gun at me and I defend (with intent to kill), I would squeeze off several rounds center mass and maybe even a head shoot or two. I didn't read the report but did this cop miss 5 times. He was obviously justified to shoot but it sounds like he panicked . . .

BAN COPS!
Cops that panic under pressure . . . definitely.

 

[Wah]

This shooting wasn't as simple as you guys make it out to be. I remember reading about this... YES, the guy who got shot (Lee) pointed his gun at the cop. But what I read last year was that it was very likely that Lee thought the cop was another partygoer... remember, this was a halloween party. People do dress up as cops. This whole thing was a very unfortunate accident. I don't think the cop was to blame, but I also think some of you guys are quick to blame Lee for his own death.

 

[jehh]

<< hate to say good, but that guy was an idiot. the cop had every right to protect himself.

point: dont point things that look like guns at cops. >>



Yes, it sucks that the mistake was made, but the cop is in the clear here...

As for the point: don't point things that look like guns at me either, I'll shoot you too...



I'm sure the cop isn't all happy, happy, joy, joy over this either, he killed a guy who wasn't really going to hurt him, that has to be hard emotionally...

Jason

 

[jehh]

<<

<< he hit the actor once in the back of the head and three times in the back. >>



OH NO LOOK THIS MEANS THE COP SHOT THE GUY NEEDLESSLY!

BAN COPS! >>



Bwahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

Thanks, I needed that... Hehehe

Jason

 

[jehh]

<< << Hopper, a three-year officer at the time of the shooting, fired nine shots at Lee. According to an autopsy report, he hit the actor once in the back of the head and three times in the back. Tests also revealed the presence of alcohol and cocaine in Lee's system. >>

Hard to argue with death due to stupidity posts but what kind of side arm are these cops carrying? If you point a gun at me and I defend (with intent to kill), I would squeeze off several rounds center mass and maybe even a head shoot or two. I didn't read the report but did this cop miss 5 times. He was obviously justified to shoot but it sounds like he panicked . . .

BAN COPS!
Cops that panic under pressure . . . definitely. >>



Don't you know that cops are some of the worst shots around?

This is how four cops in NYC could shoot 41 bullets at a guy 7 feet away and hit him only 7 times...

What does this tell me? If I ever feel the need to get into a shoot out with a cop, I'm generally not going to worry about his aim too much, I can put them all into the target at 21 YARDS, much less 7 FEET...

Of course he has armor on so I need a head or gut shot, he can hit me anywhere... Unless I have my 16 with me, I run a three round rotation of SS-109, SS-855, and good old JHP... Those middle rounds are what will REALLY ruin his day...

Jason

 

[gopunk]

i'm with the rest of you guys, there's too much whining about the police, if you ask me. up here in seattle, we had a case where a guy drags an officer down the street (guy was driving, pulled officer by the arm and hit the gas), and all these people got pissy about it. amazing.

 

[Aenygma]

It was a costume party, and the man was shot in the back.... I'm sorry but that just doesn't sound right.

 

[tcsenter]

Well, considering this happened in a police force replete with recent corruption and having known to do about a half-dozen "gun drops" on people shot by police, I'm torn here.

The officer used extremely poor judgement by messing around in the bushes and dark areas of someone's private property. This wasn't a man-hunt, it was a noise complaint. He should have walked up to the damned door and knocked. This judgement unnecessarily put the interests of both the officer and victim's safety at odds, with tragic consequences. I can't fault the officer for the shooting, but I do fault him for his judgement leading up to the shooting. He shouldn't be disciplined for the shooting, he should be disciplined for his poor tactics.

I can't find any fault on the victim's part, if he wants to run around inside a house he has permission to be in and play with a rubber gun, he has every right to do so without worring whether there are cops hiding in the bushes and peeking into the windows.

 

[SinNisTeR]

<< he hit the actor once in the back of the head and three times in the back >>



what the guy was aiming at the cop with a mirror? it doesnt make sense that he would get shot so many times and especially on his back...

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

This is how four cops in NYC could shoot 41 bullets at a guy 7 feet away and hit him only 7 times...
That abomination certainly produced undeserved ridicule . . . THOSE cops deserved it but police in general paid a price as well . . . kinda like being "middle eastern" looking since Sept 11th.



Of course he has armor on so I need a head or gut shot, he can hit me anywhere... Unless I have my 16 with me, I run a three round rotation of SS-109, SS-855, and good old JHP... Those middle rounds are what will REALLY ruin his day...
Damn Man, you how long is your trench coat?

Here's question . . . if we have an honest disagreement on the street, we start to scuffle, and I'm really kickin' your arse . . . assuming you CC would you draw (I'm assuming that if you pull you plan to shoot and if you shoot you're not looking to wing me.

 

[FrysInsider]

<< it doesnt make sense that he would get shot so many times and especially on his back >>




EXACTLY

Coroners facts show that the victim was shot in the back multiple times.

 

[TallBill]

he could have spun or something.. we dont know the exact bullet details

 

[gopunk]

EXACTLY

Coroners facts show that the victim was shot in the back multiple times.

so? it's entirely possible the victim moved during the incident, isn't it?

 

[jehh]

<<
Of course he has armor on so I need a head or gut shot, he can hit me anywhere... Unless I have my 16 with me, I run a three round rotation of SS-109, SS-855, and good old JHP... Those middle rounds are what will REALLY ruin his day...
Damn Man, you how long is your trench coat?

Here's question . . . if we have an honest disagreement on the street, we start to scuffle, and I'm really kickin' your arse . . . assuming you CC would you draw (I'm assuming that if you pull you plan to shoot and if you shoot you're not looking to wing me. >>



I was kidding about my 16... I don't go walking around with it, but I do take it in the truck when I take a road trip... With a 4-pos CAR stock and 14.5" barrel, it is impressivlly small... For a rifle anyway...

As to your question... If you start kicking my ass, yes I will shoot you, but shoot to stop, shoot to kill...

I won't start the scuffle, part of carrying a weapon is needing the maturity to walk away from that kind of situation... It is also one of the responsibilites you accept... People in Texas with CHLs have a slightly different set of rules than everyone else... If we get involved in a fight and WE started it, we're responsible, period... It is our job to walk away from a fight if at all possible... If we have that chance and don't take it, we're responsible... For exmaple, we're in a club arguing, you leave and go outside, I follow you and continue the argurement... I end up shooting you because you hit me, not really self defense if it can be shown that I followed you outside to 'start a fight"...

Then it just comes down to how good a lawyer I have... That is why I shoot to stop, not shoot to kill... If by chance it is NOT rulled a justified shooting, having you NOT be dead makes things much easier for me... I might get off on probation or even less, just a fine... I come from a wealthy family, I'd just paint my face black and hire Jonny Cochran...

Anyway, if I shoot you, I'll just shoot enough to stop you, and then if you're hurt, I'll be sure to get you an ambulance ASAP...

Jason

 

[LethalWolfe]

<< Well, considering this happened in a police force replete with recent corruption and having known to do about a half-dozen "gun drops" on people shot by police, I'm torn here.

The officer used extremely poor judgement by messing around in the bushes and dark areas of someone's private property. This wasn't a man-hunt, it was a noise complaint. He should have walked up to the damned door and knocked. This judgement unnecessarily put the interests of both the officer and victim's safety at odds, with tragic consequences. I can't fault the officer for the shooting, but I do fault him for his judgement leading up to the shooting. He shouldn't be disciplined for the shooting, he should be disciplined for his poor tactics.

I can't find any fault on the victim's part, if he wants to run around inside a house he has permission to be in and play with a rubber gun, he has every right to do so without worring whether there are cops hiding in the bushes and peeking into the windows. >>



I grew up in Indiana, and moved out to LA 'bout 6 months ago. And nothing, note a thing, from the Midwest applies in LA (I'm saying this 'cause yer profile says yer from Michigan). Police tactics out here are much more aggresive, and worst case scenerio<sp?> oriented than the midwest. For example, on a standard traffic violation one officer approaches the stopped car, and the other takes a position at 'bout a 45 degree angle to the stopped car's passanger side and about 10ft behind it. The 2nd officer has his weapon drawn to a "ready" position, and the passenger side door of the squad car is kept open for added cover. The cops out here have been sniped. They've been intentionally called to a house just to be shot in the back from across the block. I wouldn't be surprised if during LAPD training trainee's are told "When you come under fire..." instead of "If you come under fire..." LA is like a blackhole... "normal" rules don't apply, and if yer not paying attention yer sucked into who knows where.


I'm not defending actions, or trying to place blame anywhere I'm just expressing my opinion based of what I've seen, and read since I've been in LA.


Lethal

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

I come from a wealthy family, I'd just paint my face black and hire Jonny Cochran...
No need, Johnny knows just one color (green) and one defense (if my argument sounds like sh!t you must acquit).

TX concealed carry sounds almost reasonable. But it still escalates the violence. I don't doubt your acumen or resolve to use "judicious" force but too many licensees lack training or discipline especially since local authorities manage CHL in most states.

 

[Mday]

i am not surprised.

don't point laser pointers at cops either.

 

[FrysInsider]

<< I'm not defending actions, or trying to place blame anywhere I'm just expressing my opinion based of what I've seen, and read since I've been in LA. >>



Watch Bad Leutenant (NYPD cop) on video, then go out and watch Training Day. And that's just some of the elements of the LAPD.