Officer Involved Shooting (Video)

[scipioafricanus]

Even drunk drivers can pull guns.

http://www.missoulian.com/news/local/ar ... mode=video

Via John Lott

http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2010/04/r ... g-cop.html

SA

[308Mike]

I just recently saw that same video, but can't find the post on a quick screen of the forum. I KNOW it's in here somewhere.........

[FelixEstrella]

Damn! Just damn! Glad the officer is OK.

Question I have: if a gangbanger is driving down the street, fires on me and then takes off, am I justified in shooting at his/her car even though it's no longer posing a threat? If not, then why is it OK for a police officer to do the same?

[308Mike]

Here's a larger version, and MUCH more visible.

[Dedicated_Dad]

I heard TWO hammer-drops in rapid succession - if the idiot wasn't too drunk to remember burning 2 rounds and somehow resetting the cylinder so those 2 were the first to fall...

This cop is one SERIOUSLY lucky SOB -- I think he used up all 9 lives right there.

If I were him I think I'd retire...

DD

[workinwifdakids]

I heard TWO hammer-drops in rapid succession - if the idiot wasn't too drunk to remember burning 2 rounds and somehow resetting the cylinder so those 2 were the first to fall...

Explain? I'm not following.

As far as the shooting at a vehicle leaving away from you, it's entirely possible the officer thought he was shooting at the vehicle as the suspect continued to shoot backwards from the side window. I'd have to look into it, but it seems plausible given how quickly this happened.

If this is his first shooting, he may not even have any recall at all except the bad guy pulled a gun and shot at him and he shot back. The only moment I would criticize him tactically is in the half second he stood there like a monument between deflecting the gun and the first shot, but I'd be lucky to do better.

[mekender]

I heard TWO hammer-drops in rapid succession - if the idiot wasn't too drunk to remember burning 2 rounds and somehow resetting the cylinder so those 2 were the first to fall...

Explain? I'm not following.

As far as the shooting at a vehicle leaving away from you, it's entirely possible the officer thought he was shooting at the vehicle as the suspect continued to shoot backwards from the side window. I'd have to look into it, but it seems plausible given how quickly this happened.

If this is his first shooting, he may not even have any recall at all except the bad guy pulled a gun and shot at him and he shot back. The only moment I would criticize him tactically is in the half second he stood there like a monument between deflecting the gun and the first shot, but I'd be lucky to do better.

Looked like a old colt SAA or a repro... the article does say it was a .41 caliber. I am guessing that he had to cock it again after the first click. And yes he would have to turn the cylinder back to the empty or fired chambers intentionally. Or perhaps he had a chamber empty and was too drunk to realize that he was hammer down on a live round and the empty chamber was next?

[Steamforger]

Montana laws-

"45-3-101. Definitions.
(1) 'Forcible felony' means any felony which involves the use or threat of physical force or violence against any individual.
(2) 'Force likely to cause death or serious bodily harm' within the meaning of this chapter indicates but is not limited to:
(a)the firing of a firearm in the direction of a person, even though no purpose exists to kill or inflict serious bodily harm; and
(b) the firing of a firearm at a vehicle in which a person is riding."

"45-3-102. Use of deadly force in defense of person. A person is justified in the use of force or threat to use force against another when and to the extent that he reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend himself or another against such other's imminent use of unlawful force. However, he is justified in the use of force likely to cause death or serious bodily harm only if he reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily harm to himself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony."

As to shooting the fleeing vehicle-
Scumbag took a shot at someone and fled the scene. Nothing says he's going to stop once he sees the blue lights haven't caught up to him yet. If the officer can articulate a real threat to others by this Scumbag, then yes Virginia, he would stand an excellent chance that this encounter would be called justifiable. Nothing says the person(s) being defended have to be present at the festivities at that exact moment.

Could any of us do that? The statute says person, not police officer.

[mekender]

Generally speaking, most states also allow LEOs to use deadly force to prevent the escape of a felon.

[308Mike]

The statute says person, not police officer.

Is a police officer not a person?