Latest police excessive force controversy: Tulare, CA

[Dan Druff]

http://abc30.com/tulare-police-shoot...chase/3207780/


Police in Tulare, CA (near Fresno) got a call that a man was attacking a bus driver.

They found their suspect, and he started attempting to fight them. They attempted to tase him, and it seemed to have no effect (probably the guy was on drugs). They also tried pepper spray, again without much effect.

Finally, one or both officers pulled out their weapons and shot him dead.

The guy did not appear to have a weapon at any point.

It does appear that the police simply got tired of dealing with him being crazy and combative, and blew him away. I'm guessing they will claim that he reached for their weapon, but that's probably not what happened. Unfortunately, the only known video if it was obstructed by a vehicle at the most critical moment.

Police probably overused force here, and I would support charges against them if the facts reveal an unjustified shooting.

However, I don't really feel too bad for the guy. He was clearly a danger to society, attacking both a bus driver and the police. Honestly society is better off without someone like the "victim" running around the streets. I do agree, though, that this doesn't justify shooting him when he doesn't appear to have a weapon. Police could have called for backup if he was too much to handle.

[Dan Druff]

Here is a social media post about the victim, Jontell Reedom (misspelled in the below screen shot).

I believe it was from a family member. LOL at the part where it says, "You were not a violent person."

Um, apparently, yes he was. That's part of the reason why he's dead.



Here is a page from 2009 regarding Jontell's high school football stats: http://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/jont...ball-stats.htm

He graduated 9 years ago, so presumably he was 26-27.

[Dan Druff]

Listening to the audio of the cell phone video, they say, "He took it away from him", and "He took away the baton", so I'm guessing that will be the defense.

Jontell likely grabbed the cop's baton and was going to attack them with it, and they shot him.

That actually changes things, if true.

If a crazed man has the cop's baton and is about to start wailing on them with it, then shooting the guy is a lot more justified.

[Dan Druff]

BTW this hasn't hit mass social media yet, so perhaps this won't go anywhere.

Right now it's being shared in some circles, but it's by no means a big story at this point.

[Dan Druff]

In general, I have very little sympathy for the "victim" in situations where a guy attacks the police, and then gets killed or seriously hurt in response.

Simple answer to this: Don't ever attack the police.

Anyone willing to attack the police is very likely to hurt a non-police citizen sometime in the near future, so I don't exactly cry when I hear they've been killed.

[thesparten]

In general, I have very little sympathy for the "victim" in situations where a guy attacks the police, and then gets killed or seriously hurt in response.

Simple answer to this: Don't ever attack the police.

Anyone willing to attack the police is very likely to hurt a non-police citizen sometime in the near future, so I don't exactly cry when I hear they've been killed.

To be honest , im more old school..

U never shoot an unarmed man unless its absolutly to directly save your life or the life of another..

Niether was met here..

They will get away with it thanks to the grabbing of the batton..

They should have juat called for back up and taken him down. Police should not kill a person in crisis over expediancy..

[big dick]

he might have taken his gun next, clean shoot.

[Salty_Aus]

Unjustified, sure he was combative and resisting but that's murder in my opinion.

[big dick]

fighting that guy is like fighting a silverback you gotta put some lead in him to bring him down

[Charham]

The Chico loco commentary is Priceless.