Shooting of UNC-CH frat president justified, DA says

It goes without saying that a county District Attorney or local cops "taking-up" for their fellow officers is NOT surprising...in fact, I would be surprised if they did not whether the facts support their "conclusions" or more accurately their "opinions". Just like the saying goes, "opinions are like 'anuses', everybody's got one". So here's mine...my opinion, that is. If the video tape evidence supports the officer's and DA's contentions, then release it to the press and let's see this irrefutable proof...its about time the DA stops hiding behind the excuse that "the video can't be released because there's an ongoing investigation". And if he is unwilling to place this video evidence in "the court of public review", then let us move this whole issue along to the "Grand Jury" whose very purpose is to expose and bring to trial criminal actions in a manner that at least initially protects sensitive information. And if that does not happen, just remember that at election time...the DA is a publically elected official and the public has the final say on whether he continues to serve. Call Your Next Case

I have listened to the 911 tape..... IF the cops thought he was dangerous....... was it REALLY neccesary to "shoot to kill"? Why couldn't they have tased him-------- or shot to injure----------- such as the kneecaps????? Whatever else he was.he was SOMEBODY'S son.........somebody's LOVED one ..........with a bright future ahead of him..........nuff sed !!!!!!!!

Still wrong. When a human being is disturbed or psychologically off-balance, steps should be taken to intervene in a medical, not a criminal-apprehension, manner.
Perhaps he was off-balance, but off-balance behavior should not occasion an off-balance reply from law enforcement. Perhaps he thought at that moment, on that night, he wanted to die, but, as we all know, life has its dark and light patches; had he lived, had he been medically treated, had he received counseling, even "talking-down" by phone, he might not have dictated his own demise with police acting as his mere pawns.
It is just a wrong-headed way to approach someone who is sad, mentally debilitated, heart-broken, soul-wounded. It's just wrong, whether the DA finds it so, or not.

This is a sad case; however as a firearms instructor and former manager of a gun range, I have a few comments. Young people have been indoctrinated by TV and video games and are oblivious to the dangers of deadly situations. First, if you make a statement that can be construed as a threat and claim to have a gun - you will be taken seriously. If you are under the influence of any intoxicant, you will be considered to be armed and irrational. Second - cops and employees of gun ranges are not interested in your face, your feet, or any part of your body except for your hands - your only means of holding a weapon. Third, the person reacting, as opposed to initiating, is the one at a disadvantage. Fourth, yes you will shoot to stop your assailant, which usually means killing him. Fifth, you will fire rapidly several times until your opponent stops moving, because you cannot actually tell if you have even hit him, if he is truly incapacitated, or if he still has the means to kill you. This young man died from stupidity, not because the cops were cruel or poorly trained. While running the gun range, I demanded that customer's hands always be in the open, not hidden in pockets. If this kid had displayed empty hands he would be alive today.

The excuse for not releasing them earlier was that an investigation was ongoing. Well the investigation has been completed. They're public property. Let's see 'em!

"Preconceived opinions are NEVER altered by evidence to the contrary no matter how conclusive such evidence might be." You are so right. While I don't posses all the needed writing skills, I do hope that from time to time some one person might be effected enough by my words, that they stop for a second and consider my point of view? My heart goes out to the family of this young man! Proof, will never be the answer to their pain?

(Please I completely understand my options for bettering my writing skills!)