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

[MikeMaslowski]

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.”

[RobBlake]

A lot of people will say "but he's a felon he deserved it"

at the same time... just damn. Tough times

[BigMeatballDave]

Appears to be a mistake, but a mistake that should never be made.

Should be fired and possible manslaughter. Never be a cop again.

In the trucking industry, if you have a rollover, you're fired. And that is without loss of life.

[The Franchise]

The cop is ****ing 73? What's he still on the force for?

[BigMeatballDave]

I just saw the officer is 73. WTF?

[MikeMaslowski]

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

I just saw the officer is 73. WTF?

I thought the same thing. The Sherriff's Dept might have some explaining to do.

[Dante84]

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

I just saw the officer is 73. WTF?

He was a reserve officer doing a ride-along. The guy is supposed to be a note-taker, and "mistook" his taser for his gun. Honestly, it could have really been a mistake. Either way, doesn't matter, the guy died.

Oh, and the 73 year old has donated thousands of dollars to the police force, and donated guns, tasers and vehicles over the years. Maybe it earned him that ride along.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by DA_T_84

He was a reserve officer doing a ride-along. The guy is supposed to be a note-taker, and "mistook" his taser for his gun. Honestly, it could have really been a mistake. Either way, doesn't matter, the guy died.

Oh, and the 73 year old has donated thousands of dollars to the police force, and donated guns, tasers and vehicles over the years. Maybe it earned him that ride along.

I don't want 70 yr old LEOs.

My dad is 74, they confuse easy.

[Dante84]

"I'm losing my breath!"

"**** your breath!"

Wow. just.... wow.

[MikeMaslowski]

Originally Posted by DA_T_84

"I'm losing my breath!"

"**** your breath!"

Wow. just.... wow.

That officer must not have seen the "I can't breathe" backlash. Just nuts. I have Latin children and we are moving to the states for a bit. I am trying to tell them exactly how to be with police. When I say the words, it basically comes to "lower yourself and be nothing in front of them". So demeaning.

And to the obvious folks, I also tell my kids to do nothing wrong and they "should" not be in a position to get murdered by officers.

[RobBlake]

Originally Posted by MikeMaslowski

That officer must not have seen the "I can't breathe" backlash. Just nuts. I have Latin children and we are moving to the states for a bit. I am trying to tell them exactly how to be with police. When I say the words, it basically comes to "lower yourself and be nothing in front of them". So demeaning.

And to the obvious folks, I also tell my kids to do nothing wrong and they "should" not be in a position to get murdered by officers.

doesn't matter with some power hungry cops.. look up the Uber driver incident... detective was an outright asshole that needs his ass kicked.

[New World Order]

Originally Posted by RobBlake

doesn't matter with some power hungry cops.. look up the Uber driver incident... detective was an outright asshole that needs his ass kicked.

Well how would you feel if you made 30k a year and had to chase down all of these idiots who are up to no good running from the police.

Honestly.

[In58men]

Originally Posted by New World Order

Well how would you feel if you made 30k a year and had to chase down all of these idiots who are up to no good running from the police.

Honestly.

Choose a different profession. They all know what they're getting into and what there pay is going to be before they even join.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by New World Order

Well how would you feel if you made 30k a year and had to chase down all of these idiots who are up to no good running from the police.

Honestly.

I'd probably quit before I maimed or killed someone out of rage or incompetence. That's just me.

[planetdoc]

Originally Posted by New World Order

Well how would you feel if you made 30k a year and had to chase down all of these idiots who are up to no good running from the police.

Honestly.

1. The bureau of labor statistics says the median salary for police and sherrif's patrol officers is $59,560

2. Those in positions of power and have the authority to use lethal force must understand how absolutely precious life is. Taking the life of another cannot be undone. It should not be done flippantly, callously, or out of convenience.