Anaheim man killed by police in mistaken identity

[PhätTony]

Officer shoots innocent man, get's put on paid administrative leave.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081029/ap_on_re_us/front_yard_fatality

[carcrazy699]

damn i feel sorry for the family. the officer should have been fired for this. he took a mans life without even asking questions first for being a 10 year vet he did it all wrong

[DarkstaR]

That is really shitty man. My prayers are with the family.

This is unbelievable, seriously.

[MrFast4Ward]

damn i feel sorry for the family. the officer should have been fired for this. he took a mans life without even asking questions first for being a 10 year vet he did it all wrongWith all due respect, you don't have all the facts on this story. I love how media always portrays LEO's to be "quick to the draw" :rolleyes:

I wouldn't be surprised if this kid was armed when he went to "confront" the burglars.

[PhätTony]

With all due respect, you don't have all the facts on this story. I love how media always portrays LEO's to be "quick to the draw" :rolleyes:

I wouldn't be surprised if this kid was armed when he went to "confront" the burglars.

If you watched the video, you would know more about what happened. Like the cop was chasing burglars. The victim came outside to see what was going on. He did not have a gun in hand, even though you might wish he did. The kid had a broom in his hand because he'd gotten robbeb before. The officer came around the corner, the kid 'looked suspicious'. The officer shot him twice (at least it wasn't 45 times).

This is all from the OCPD. So these are the facts. I really think the officer will end up retiring msyelf. I would if I was an officer and this happened.

[MrFast4Ward]

You're right, I didn't watch the video, just read the article. Well, I guess the investigation will tell all. I just don't like the way the media handles this type of thing because then the public forms an opinion without having all the facts.

Edit: Just watched the video, from the looks of that broomstick, in the heat of the moment, I can see how it could have been mistaken for a weapon.

Remember that officers have a second or two to make a life or death decision.

[mike]

There is no right or wrong answer in this post. It is a terrible tragedy, a terrible accident. I think they should be put on paid leave until its sorted out. It could just as easily been either one of us on either end of the story. Anaheim isn't a great place besides what the mouse may want you to think, if I was chasing a bunch of people and turned a corner and a guy had somesort of weapon, it would be a tough call.

[Kelly Girl]

while this is a tragedy, whatever happened to INNOCENT until proven guilty??

[DTolo]

I thought Cops were/are trained to shoot to disable, not shoot to kill? Then again, if he thought the guy had a weapon... It is a shitty situation no matter how you slice it.

On the other hand... Being the one in uniform, your job is to be the higher power, and be able to make those calls with unfaultered judgment at the drop of a dime, of which the average person may not be able to do. If the cop was not able to properly identify his target and it's intent before shooting to kill (you'd have to shoot to kill with just two shots), then he disregarded his training and responsibilities as an officer of the law.

If this is an unfortunate but "it happens" kind of story, then what is to keep general public from feeling like they need to "protect" themselves from the next police officer that has a fault in judgment?

What I am trying to say is... yes it is a shitty situation, HOWEVER, as a Police officer, or anyone authorized to use deadly force.. if you can't make decisions like the one in this video, you shouldn't be doing the job. That comment applies to the individual, NOT to any agency as a whole.

[mike]

Think about it. You are chasing SEVERAL people through back yards, you come around a corner and there is a guy with a weapon, albeit a bat or piece of wood, but you don't know who he is and why he has that in the middle of the night. One whack to the head with a piece of wood can kill you. So he has to act instinctively since it may come down to his life or the other guys. You people are too quick to judge. Now put YOURSELF in his shoes. He now has to live with the worst possible scenario of killing a newlywed husband and father to be that was defending his home. Regardless of suspension, with or without pay, losing his job, being sued, he will be tortured by this forever.

[OCbuiltGTI]

I'm going to have to agree with what seems to be the majority actually posting.

Sounds like he came around the corner, thought he was being ambushed, and made a decision. Hindsight is 20-20 and I'm pretty sure this cop is feeling shitty as hell. Most cops don't like shooting people, even the bad ones.

I like how the video caption is "Life was looking up for Julian Alexander until..." way to try to sway the public's opinion on this one.

If anything I'd have to say it was his fault for heading out of his house with a broom to confront a pack of robbers. I'm pretty sure most of the time it's recommended that you just stay inside and call the police to take care of it.

[oc-audica]

I voted Yes. The officer is innocent until proven guilty so to speak; he obviously should be put on leave during the investigation, and since he was doing his job he shouldn't stop getting payed in the meantime. I just hope he has a heart and is feeling sympathetic; theres some cold people out there.

[MrFast4Ward]

LEO's shoot to stop the threat, not to injure, not to kill. This means shooting "center mass". LEO's are human too, don't forget that. Sure, there is a lot of training involved, but in the end they have to make a decision based on threat assessment that occurs in a matter of seconds. I am not really trying to debate this particular case, I am just referring to the media portrayal of these situations and how that affects public opinion.

[TOYr32]

LEO's shoot to stop the threat, not to injure, not to kill. This means shooting "center mass". LEO's are human too, don't forget that. Sure, there is a lot of training involved, but in the end they have to make a decision based on threat assessment that occurs in a matter of seconds. I am not really trying to debate this particular case, I am just referring to the media portrayal of these situations and how that affects public opinion.

I thought that is was an empty your magazine training . . . that's why there are always instances of cops shooting a bunch of rounds. So I had always assumed it was a shoot to "kill" kind of mentality. But "Stop the Threat" definitely sounds more humane.

I'm more impressed that he shot 2 rounds center mass. Usually cops miss.

[Neccros]

I had a co-worker wrongly shot and killed by a OC sheriff... If they are investigating the case, NO ONE should get paid..... It should be part of the job

[v2rocket]

I am just referring to the media portrayal of these situations and how that affects public opinion.

and sadly the public only gets gets news through the media....so they are a HUGE factor in public opinion...one could say that public opinion is dictated by media.

[DTolo]

Just to clarify... I by no means thin the cop did anything intentionally, and I am sure he is resting in his own guilt. It is a shitty situation.

I'd even say, giving him "seconds" to make the decision is an over statement... it was likely in less than a second or so.

Should the cop be on paid leave? Yes. Do I think this is a shitty situation for everyone? Yes.

Do I think this is a situation where we should accept it as something that could happen? No.

Being in his shoes... The rules are even more stiff for troops in a combat zone... and they aren't running through "friendly" neigborhoods. Usually, in the rare occasion they do persue, they have already been fired at, and STILL come under great scrutiny when an "innocent" person gets shot or injured.

I still stand, that if you choose that profession, you have to understand and take on the consequences of having to possibly some day make a decision like his (the officer).

2nd, if he felt in such danger that he needed to shoot at someone holding a "weapon", which he had to have felt being he was in the mindset to utilize his marksmanship accordingly, then he shouldn't have been in persuit. He should have waited for a cordon <-sp? and played the game on his terms, not the culprits.

[Monster8V]

I had a co-worker wrongly shot and killed by a OC sheriff... If they are investigating the case, NO ONE should get paid..... It should be part of the job


And if its a justified shooting, the cop goes without pay for doing his job well?? Wrong answer. Cops dont shoot people for just being good people. They put themselves in positions where they get shot. end of story.

That video didnt SHOW THE SHOOTING. Bunch of he said she said. Naturally the family is going to scream foul play. I would to. Im sure the cop woke up that day and said to himself, "im gonna go and shoot me an innocent guy today, just for the fuck of it". :rolleyes: Im sure thats how it happened.

If you think you have a burgler, stay in the fucking house people. Whats the saying....... you might get shot! See what happens.


and sadly the public only gets gets news through the media....so they are a HUGE factor in public opinion...one could say that public opinion is dictated by media.


Thats a bigger crime in my book. The blood thirsty media seeks these stories.

[Ivan]

Nothing new.

[oc-audica]

50/50 on the polls

[MrFast4Ward]

It is always easy to play Monday morning quarterback

[SoCal_GLI]

put yourself in the officers shoes....nuff said

[SoCal_GLI]

I thought Cops were/are trained to shoot to disable, not shoot to kill? Then again, if he thought the guy had a weapon... It is a shitty situation no matter how you slice it.

On the other hand... Being the one in uniform, your job is to be the higher power, and be able to make those calls with unfaultered judgment at the drop of a dime, of which the average person may not be able to do. If the cop was not able to properly identify his target and it's intent before shooting to kill (you'd have to shoot to kill with just two shots), then he disregarded his training and responsibilities as an officer of the law.

If this is an unfortunate but "it happens" kind of story, then what is to keep general public from feeling like they need to "protect" themselves from the next police officer that has a fault in judgment?

What I am trying to say is... yes it is a shitty situation, HOWEVER, as a Police officer, or anyone authorized to use deadly force.. if you can't make decisions like the one in this video, you shouldn't be doing the job. That comment applies to the individual, NOT to any agency as a whole.

wrong...they are taught to shoot to kill..as they should be

[Monster8V]

wrong...they are taught to shoot to kill..as they should be

sarcasm..

[kRimit]

It would be interesting to see what the conversation would be if it had been the other way around. "OC Police officer killed why pursuing armed robbers".

Of the people who think the officer should be fired or not on payed leave, how many of you have been on a legitimate ride along? If you have, did you ever even once get a little bit of a quick adrenaline rush? Maybe a cold chill, or a little bit of fear at any point in the night? Imagine doing this on the daily, not knowing if you are going to be shot at today because it's your job to protect everyone else.

Accidents happen. I'm sure the cop didn't intentionally kill an innocent man. It wasn't a malicious act, just a serious of unfortunate events.

Now is not the time to be taking law enforcement off the street.

My deepest regards to out to the mans family, to the officer, and to all those who will be victimized because the department is now one man less and always understaffed. (If you don't think one officer will make a difference you're ignorant. Do some research and go for a ride along).

Anyway. Enough of that.

[DTolo]

It would be interesting to see what the conversation would be if it had been the other way around. "OC Police officer killed why pursuing armed robbers".


Not really a legite comparison. On teh other hand... how much controversy would be in invovled if the victim was white? I don't think the race card has actually been pulled to heavily, which is nice.


I've been in similar shoes... with adrenaline, felt my own safety was comprimised, and had a viable target. In a few seconds I decided not to shoot...

...good thing.. the garb the UNARMED WOMAN was wearing would have otherwise had her fitting the description of recently described "aggressors" you could say. But it was my job, for which I was trained for, to properly identify, under stress, with adrenaline, whether I needed to shoot.

Sure would have sucked to shoot the woman, and the two kids that were nearby seen her die.

Who's shoes again?

Does the man need to lose his job... I couldn't say based on what we know. Likely not, but, the video insuates that this happend in a very open area of a front yard, where more than just split seconds should have been had to make the decision. Again, that is ONLY speculation.

[MrFast4Ward]

Let me start by saying that in no way am I trying to downplay your story, but you gotta admit the situation is way different. Distance alone between the target and you made her less of a threat than the case being discussed here.

Like many have stated, there is simply not enough information on this and it will stay that way since there is an ongoing investigation. I just don't see how the investigation could yield any type of negligent behavior from the officer.

[DTolo]

Let me start by saying that in no way am I trying to downplay your story, but you gotta admit the situation is way different. Distance alone between the target and you made her less of a threat than the case being discussed here.

Like many have stated, there is simply not enough information on this and it will stay that way since there is an ongoing investigation. I just don't see how the investigation could yield any type of negligent behavior from the officer.


I agree, he may have not been negligent. And like you said, we don't know a lot of things about the story.

The situations were different and distance was likely a factor. The principles still apply, very closely.