Double Amputee Killed by Houston Police Officer

[CrazyCapnMorgan]

So, here's the gist of the topic:

- Houston police were called to the amputee's home at 2:30am by the caretaker who claimed the amputee was causing a disturbance

- The amputee, somehow, managed to corner a Houston police officer with his wheelchair and threatened them with a metal object

- The amputee came "within inches to a foot" of the officers; yet, the officers couldn't identify the metal object, which was a pen

- Only one officer shot the amputee, which he claimed was in his partner's defense

- The amputee has a history of mental illness and had lived in the area for 18 months

Link: http://news.yahoo.com/houston-officer-kills-double-amputee-wheelchair-222540280.html

Also, inb4 duh it's Texas

Your thoughts, quips, opinions? Or, in DVS BSTRD's case, puns?

captcha: know your rights. You betcha, captcha.

EDIT: New Link: http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/23/us/texas-amputee-shooting/index.html?iref=allsearch

Thanks to CMDDarkblade for the CNN link. It provides more details than the Yahoo link I provided.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Dude got cornered by a guy with a pen.

Who is also in a wheelchair?

How the hell do you get yourself into that kind of situation, and decide that lethal force is the best course of action?

 

[CrazyCapnMorgan]

- The amputee, somehow, managed to corner a Houston police officer with his wheelchair and threatened them with a metal object

I'm so sorry, but I laughed. This got me.

I'm so going to hell. I really am sorry, I shouldn't be amused by stuff like this. But man, that is so ridiculous. You couldn't make this up.

Anyway, that is unfortunate. I can't really tell whether the police officer was overreacting or whether he really did feel threatened by the article, but it sucks in either case.

That's why I made this thread. I laughed so goddamned hard, I would've posted it about 5 minutes sooner had it not been for the mouthfull of coffee that shot out of my mouth. (And a little out of my nose, too)

Just one of those ridiculous moments that you feel you HAVE to share. So, I did.

 

[Andy Shandy]

- The amputee, somehow, managed to corner a Houston police officer with his wheelchair and threatened them with a metal object

I'm so sorry, but I laughed. This got me.

I'm so going to hell. I really am sorry, I shouldn't be amused by stuff like this. But man, that is so ridiculous. You couldn't make this up.

Anyway, that is unfortunate. I can't really tell whether the police officer was overreacting or whether he really did feel threatened by the article, but it sucks in either case.

Don't worry I'll be joining you.

Also how could two police officers not manage to disarm a double amputee? Something is afoot!

 

[Esotera]

To make this thread even more distasteful, I think this is a perfect example of why the pen is mightier than the sword.

OT: It's pretty ridiculous that this happened, but I suppose the 'weapon effect' could plausibly have something to do with it. Still not remotely acceptable.

 

[DoPo]

Dude got cornered by a guy with a pen.

Who is also in a wheelchair?

How the hell do you get yourself into that kind of situation, and decide that lethal force is the best course of action?

Well, I think by that point "use lethal force" would seem like the best solution to save yourself from the embarrassment. I know it doesn't look like it now, but hindsight is 20/20, you know.

 

[Imthatguy]

Dear god I no longer wish to live on this planet.

 

[hazabaza1]

I...what?
For fuck's sake, I could take down a double amputee and I'm a scrawny 18 year old. You're telling me a train officer couldn't do this non-lethal?
What the fuck, seriously?

 

[yuval152]

I can see the headlines: "Heroic police officers kills manical terrorist amputee on a wheelchair becuase he attempted to assualt the cops with a pen".

snip

I will join you too.

 

[ToastiestZombie]

I want to see people defend this, seriously I do. What kind of idiot would think "OH SHIT! This guy's is a danger to my life!" when seeing a double amputee in a wheelchair coming at him with a pen? A small child could have dealt with the guy safely. In my eyes the policeman is a murderer, through and through.

 

[Lucem712]

Jesus...couldn't the partner have just pulled him away, he's in a wheelchair and he only has one arm!

And well, I'm no expert or anything but if the guy was that close, I think I could identify a pen. Even if he was waving it around.

 

[Dangit2019]

This is why we as citizens of the 21st century need to take the idea of a real-life Robocop into consideration.

 

[Queen Michael]

Assuming that that's what happened, well, if the guy could do that while in a wheelchair then he was pretty dangerous. Not that that's an excuse to shoot him, of course. Then again, we weren't there. And if wheelchair guy made it look like he had a gun or something, well, what are they supposed to do, say "He's in a wheelchair! He can't shoot people." or something? Urgh, I don't know, I just don't want to be one of those guys who assume that they know the situation much better than the actual people involved.

 

[SckizoBoy]

Jesus...couldn't the partner have just pulled him away, he's in a wheelchair and he only has one arm!

The question therefore being... how did the guy manage to one - brandish a pen; two - manoeuvre his wheelchair to 'corner the cop'; and more importantly three - SIMULTANEOUSLY, when he's only got ONE HAND to do both things?!

I'm amused... but more confused...

 

[Soviet Steve]

... No legs... Wheelchair... He had a pen and he corners two cops?!

 

[omega 616]

I...what?
For fuck's sake, I could take down a double amputee and I'm a scrawny 18 year old. You're telling me a train officer couldn't do this non-lethal?
What the fuck, seriously?

"Shoot first ask question later!"

I know officers over there have to carry guns but there seems to be a growing trend of my previous quote and/or it's quicker and easier to shoot a person than try to defuse the situation.

 

[manic_depressive13]

Fuck I dislike the police. Yes, the story is somewhat amusing in its absurdity, but the fact is that officer just murdered a guy and he isn't even going to serve any time.