Inquiring minds would certainly like to see the video from the squad car involved where two LA Police officers rapidly and promiscuously opened fire on a pickup truck, thinking they had the far left-wing murderer Christopher Dorner in their sights.
If you or I had opened fire on a pickup truck whose occupants weren’t trying to run us over or shooting at us, we’d be in jail for a long time to come.
While police have a little additional leeway in using deadly force, it would seem this was a grossly inappropriate use of force and not only should the offending officers be charged criminally, but the department owes the victims a new pickup truck and probably a hefty check on top of that for pain and suffering. Ditto for the homeowners of the freshly perforated home “downrange”.
In addition, check out that marksmanship — or lack thereof.
LA (CBS News) – The two women who were mistakenly shot by LAPD officers searching for triple murder suspect Christopher Dorner Thursday said they had no warning beforehand, the victims’ lawyer told CBS Los Angeles.
Attorney Glen Jonas said Maggie Carranza, 47, and her mother, 71-year-old Emma Hernandez, were delivering Los Angeles Times newspapers around 5:15 a.m. in Torrance when the officers opened fire on their vehicle.
Jonas said, “There was no warning. There were no orders. No commands. Just gunshots.”
…”The vehicle is a different color. The license plate doesn’t match. There’s nothing there for you to start shooting people. And even if they had the person in question… Mr. Dorner…you still have to give them an opportunity to get out. You can’t just start administering street justice,” said Jonas.
Carranza suffered minor injuries to her hand from shattering glass.
Hernandez, who was shot in the back, is in ICU at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
To make matters worse, it wasn’t the only shot up pickup truck that was fired on mistakenly!
Where did all the shots that MISSED the truck go?
So a lawfully carrying citizen is authorized to employ lethal force ONLY when they are in immediate and otherwise unavoidable danger of death or grave bodily harm. We’re trained to identify targets, and know that we MUST be able to articulate why our actions were both necessary and lawful. We’re responsible for every round we send, and we’re trained that if there is any doubt – DON’T SHOOT. [see actions of the CCW guy who stopped the mall shooting out in Oregon]
On the other hand, LAPD can spray and pray at any pickup truck that’s blue or gray because their panties are in a knot knowing they might be going up a trained, determined, armed adversary. No need to even see if you’re dealing with tiny old minority ladies or a large black male – just open fire. Because the trained professionals were “scared” and under “tension”.
Geez. And people say only the police should have guns?!?!? Maybe we should disarm the entire LAPD – as it’s likely to save more than just one life at this rate!
it looks alot like the cops dont want him alive, this is alot like a movie called rambo
Anyone have an “official” count on how many shots were fired? I counted over forty in the back of the truck……at least!!! What ever happened to knowing your target?!!!!