News Cop mistakes his own gun for taser and shoots/kills suspect (Vid in Link) - Page 6

MikeMaslowski · 04-12-2015, 11:11 AM

Bodies are piling up. What say you? Was it an accident?

SEE IT: Video shows Tulsa man’s last moments alive after accidental police shooting (WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT)

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...icle-1.2181787

It was a mistake.

That’s the blasé explanation Oklahoma officials gave after the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man by a white deputy who accidentally pulled his gun when he meant to use his Taser.

The botched encounter was captured on a disturbing video released by police on Friday — nine days after the fatal Tulsa shooting.

“He shot me! He shot me, man. Oh, my god. I’m losing my breath,” Eric Harris says as he struggles on the ground following the April 2 shooting, which flew under the radar until video emerged a week later.

“F--- your breath,” a callous officer can be heard saying. “Shut the f--- up!”

Reserve Deputy Robert Bates, 73, (below) shouted “Taser! Taser!” before pulling the trigger on his gun, firing a round into Harris.

“I shot him!” the former policeman says, dropping his gun. “I’m sorry.”

Bates was assisting other deputies who were trying to take Harris into custody after the felon fled from police during a sting operation, the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office’s said.

“You shouldn’t have f-----g ran!” another deputy screams, as Harris is held down by his neck and head.

Harris, who was in his 40s, was pronounced dead about an hour after the shooting, authorities said.

He had bolted from officers who were trying to arrest him for selling a 9 mm. semiautomatic pistol and ammunition to undercover cops.

Harris, who was unarmed, had reportedly done time for assault and battery on an officer.

He was “absolutely a threat when going down,” Tulsa Police Sgt. Jim Clark said at a news conference.

Sheriff’s Capt. Billy McKelvey claims the arresting officers were not aware Harris had been shot, despite the gunshot noise and Bates’ admission. They called paramedics and firefighters, and rendered aid when they realized, McKelvey said.

“He made an inadvertent mistake,” McKelvey said.

Sgt. Dave Walker told the Tulsa World that police “would not investigate the death unless the sheriff’s office asked them to, and they have not asked us to.”

**BigMeatballDave** · 04-12-2015, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

The only person to fire their weapon was an old man who shouldn't have been there in the first place. He mistakenly grabbed his taser instead of his gun. It was stupid, but not intentional.

The only other part of this situation that was wrong was the officer telling the guy "**** your breath". That was also stupid and he should be disciplined for it.

Agreed, and if not for the recent rash of shootings, this isn't that big of a deal.

Pitt Gorilla · 04-12-2015, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

Let's be real here. The guy was a convicted felon who had just tried to sell a gun and ammo to an undercover police officer. He then led the police on a chase. I can understand in the moment telling him to "shut the **** up" and also telling him "you shouldn't have ran". Maybe not 100% professional, but understandable in the moment.

The guy is lying face first on the ground with a guy on his back. He's been shot and is dying. This goes well beyond unprofessional, crazy coffee.

**LoneWolf** · 04-12-2015, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

Agreed, and if not for the recent rash of shootings, this isn't that big of a deal.

That's the only reason I even posted in this thread. People were starting to act like this was similar to the SC shooting. I think it's pretty obvious this wasn't an intentional shooting.

teedubya · 04-12-2015, 06:05 PM

All of these cop shootings are a direct connection to 9-11, and the $922 billion dollars that Homeland Security has received since then.

**LoneWolf** · 04-12-2015, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

The guy is lying face first on the ground with a guy on his back. He's been shot and is dying. This goes well beyond unprofessional, crazy coffee.

So you've never said something stupid when you were angry or in a heightened situation? Would it have been better if they would have offered him a pillow and a cold beverage? The guy was a convicted felon who was breaking the law. He was also resisting arrest. He wasn't some saint that the cops roughed up for kicks on a Saturday afternoon.

Sully · 04-12-2015, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

I don't know what taser he had but these grips look similar.

And remember, the guy is 73.

Absolutely could be an honest mistake.

Doesn't completely exonerate him, either.

That's my point.
We should go out of our way to make sure they are completely dissimilar.

**LoneWolf** · 04-12-2015, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teedubya

All of these cop shootings are a direct connection to 9-11, and the $922 billion dollars that Homeland Security has received since then.

So cop shootings didn't exist before 9-11?

**BigMeatballDave** · 04-12-2015, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teedubya

All of these cop shootings are a direct connection to 9-11, and the $922 billion dollars that Homeland Security has received since then.

LOL WUT

teedubya · 04-12-2015, 06:09 PM

Cops weren't armed like military forces before 9-11, no. This is a direct result of the militarization of American police forces.

teedubya · 04-12-2015, 06:10 PM

And I'd wager that it's only going to get worse. Especially since many states are trying to pass laws making it illegal to video record three police.

**BigMeatballDave** · 04-12-2015, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sully

That's my point.
We should go out of our way to make sure they are completely dissimilar.

Yep. I was actually surprised to see these look so similar.

Seems most Taser grips are much shorter.

**Rain Man** · 04-12-2015, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teedubya

Cops weren't armed like military forces before 9-11, no. This is a direct result of the militarization of American police forces.

I can kind of buy that. They got a lot of toys, but they also have to be cognizant now of the possibility of a big gun battle in a mall or airport.

**LoneWolf** · 04-12-2015, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teedubya

Cops weren't armed like military forces before 9-11, no. This is a direct result of the militarization of American police forces.

I'm not sure you know what the word "all" means.

**Rain Man** · 04-12-2015, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sully

That's my point.
We should go out of our way to make sure they are completely dissimilar.

If that's what those two things look like, that's absolutely terrible design. The two devices should have a completely different look and feel, I would think.

I guess the only argument for making them look and feel alike would be practice aiming them, maybe, but I don't know how that works. I wouldn't think that they would fire the same anyway.

teedubya · 04-12-2015, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

I'm not sure you know what the word "all" means.

That was me being sarcastic... Let me rephrase... Most...

04-12-2015, 11:11 AM
MikeMaslowski There's always next year. Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $10009290	Cop mistakes his own gun for taser and shoots/kills suspect (Vid in Link) Bodies are piling up. What say you? Was it an accident? SEE IT: Video shows Tulsa man’s last moments alive after accidental police shooting (WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT) http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...icle-1.2181787 It was a mistake. That’s the blasé explanation Oklahoma officials gave after the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man by a white deputy who accidentally pulled his gun when he meant to use his Taser. The botched encounter was captured on a disturbing video released by police on Friday — nine days after the fatal Tulsa shooting. “He shot me! He shot me, man. Oh, my god. I’m losing my breath,” Eric Harris says as he struggles on the ground following the April 2 shooting, which flew under the radar until video emerged a week later. “F--- your breath,” a callous officer can be heard saying. “Shut the f--- up!” Reserve Deputy Robert Bates, 73, (below) shouted “Taser! Taser!” before pulling the trigger on his gun, firing a round into Harris. “I shot him!” the former policeman says, dropping his gun. “I’m sorry.” Bates was assisting other deputies who were trying to take Harris into custody after the felon fled from police during a sting operation, the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office’s said. “You shouldn’t have f-----g ran!” another deputy screams, as Harris is held down by his neck and head. Harris, who was in his 40s, was pronounced dead about an hour after the shooting, authorities said. He had bolted from officers who were trying to arrest him for selling a 9 mm. semiautomatic pistol and ammunition to undercover cops. Harris, who was unarmed, had reportedly done time for assault and battery on an officer. He was “absolutely a threat when going down,” Tulsa Police Sgt. Jim Clark said at a news conference. Sheriff’s Capt. Billy McKelvey claims the arresting officers were not aware Harris had been shot, despite the gunshot noise and Bates’ admission. They called paramedics and firefighters, and rendered aid when they realized, McKelvey said. “He made an inadvertent mistake,” McKelvey said. Sgt. Dave Walker told the Tulsa World that police “would not investigate the death unless the sheriff’s office asked them to, and they have not asked us to.”
Posts: 2,219

04-12-2015, 06:05 PM	#79
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9480002	All of these cop shootings are a direct connection to 9-11, and the $922 billion dollars that Homeland Security has received since then.
Posts: 36,652

04-12-2015, 06:09 PM	#84
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9480002	Cops weren't armed like military forces before 9-11, no. This is a direct result of the militarization of American police forces.
Posts: 36,652

04-12-2015, 06:10 PM	#85
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9480002	And I'd wager that it's only going to get worse. Especially since many states are trying to pass laws making it illegal to video record three police.
Posts: 36,652