West Virginia cop fired for not killing a man with an unloaded gun

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(09-15-2016, 11:29 AM)Belsnickel Wrote: True, a communication problem probably existed. As to your second part, no. The saying that you treat every firearm as if it is loaded applies not just to handling a firearm, but in self-defense situations as well. As far as procedure is concerned, he was armed.


Other sources have stated that the firearm was not just pointed at the ground the whole time, that there were movements made in a threatening manner that, when looking at the whole picture, were intended to entice the police to shoot him.

I didn't judge the shooters, and still won't. Even if they get their department's highest honor for conduct, I still don't see a defense for firing the other officer. I didn't catch that he was on probation in the OP, but isn't that all the more reason to give him a chance? Maybe he needs more training in shoot/don't shoot simulations. Maybe the logistics of the situation dictated why he didn't shoot. I thought the original account said he was behind the subject and ordered him to drop the weapon. Even if subject is waving it if there is no target threatened I could see letting him wave it for awhile. The others showed up and shot quickly, it seems. Did they confer with first officer on scene? Were they behind him? On either side? In front of him? All those factors could impact first officers decision not to shoot, IMO. And just because they opened fire, why does that compel him too? Remember the Springsteen song, 41 Shots? Sad to think had he just put a single round (or unloaded his magazine) in the subject or fired a shot and missed him he would apparently still be employed. Firing seems a huge over reaction and completely unjustified based on the facts I have seen.