Video Footage Shows Dallas Police Fatally Shooting Mentally Ill Man

I didn't say the officer wouldn't be hurt. I guarantee you that if I see you coming and there are other police officers with me, you wouldn't be able to inflict a mortal wound with a screwdriver.

A screwdriver can be deadly if the person is unaware and the person with a screwdriver can stab them in the head/neck area.

If I'm aware you aren't going to be able to inflict a life threatening wound on my head and neck area. My hands and arms will naturally go up to protect that area.

If I'm aware and have other aware police officers with me, you might indeed be able to stab me. You won't be able to kill me with the screwdriver.

The officer's life wasn't in danger.

 

A screwdriver can be every bit as deadly as a knife or icepick, I think you highly underestimate what someone can do to you with a screwdriver. I don't think the cops should have shot this guy, but the general point about a screwdriver being a deadly weapon is valid.

 

I agree the screwdriver can be a deadly weapon. I just don't think it was with one aware cop, and other aware cops there as well.

 

In this scenario, how can you be 100% certain that the screwdriver hasn't been dipped in something toxic?

 

Excellent point. Nobody can be sure of that. Also who's to know that the screwdriver doesn't have a circuit connection on the tip that when it touches another persons flesh it would set off a bomb.

I am wrong, these police gave too much leeway. They should have just kicked in the door and started shooting right away.

 

Personally I wouldn't take the chance. If I think someone intends on stabbing me, I'd shoot them for it.

 

It's always funny to see how people overreact when their argument gets crippled.

 

You have a very warped sense of reality.

"Assumptions will get you killed."

 

He may or may not have a warped sense of reality, but you definitely do.

 

Then texas law is warped.

If someone seems to think I wouldnt be able to jab you in the neck with a screw driver because you have backup available, you have seen too many movies.

 

Nobody is doubting a screwdriver can be lethal if harm is intended. I think most of us feel that officers should think about the person wielding the weapon before shooting to kill.

What if it's a toddler holding a screwdriver? Would you automatically pull out your gun and yell at the toddler to drop the weapon? A mentally ill man certainly poses more of a threat, but he did not seem to act aggressively.

 

Maybe everyone intends on stabbing you and everyone has dipped their pens in poison ink. You should shoot them all.

 

How much of a background do you think these two officers knew about that man? Again, assumptions will get you killed. Mentally ill or not, you aren't required to determine someone's culpability in that kind of situation.

The courts will examine what the officers KNEW AT THE TIME they pulled the trigger.

 

Smart post. Thanks for that amazing contribution.

 

Right. Assumptions can get you killed, but it goes the other way, too. An officer can assume a citizen is aggressive and shoot to kill, and it would be legally allowed. Law enforcement are more legally protected than the citizens they are supposed to protect.

If you think about our military forces, who are in an even more dangerous situation than our law enforcement officers on US soil, those soldiers are definitely targeted for the uniform they wear. Yet, their rules of engagement are much stricter than for our law enforcement. They have to be shot at before they can shoot back.

I have no problems with officers using deadly force when they are met with it. However, I think the police standard of when deadly force is present is too lax. Disclaimer, I'm not discrediting all law enforcement, just some extreme situations such as the topic.

 

Ex-cop sees a perp pull out an ACTUAL deadly weapon on another person and is somehow able to keep the perp covered until police arrive without shooting a single time.

It would be nice if current cops had the ability to show such restraint.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...an-gunpoint-street-seeing-pull-knife-man.html

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Is something wrong with you?

Looks like the knife carrying yahoo got on the ground when he had a gun pointed at him. The guy with the screw driver kept walking toward officers as they were telling him to drop the DEADLY WEAPON. Did you notice that?

BTW, I wouldn't want to be stabbed with either a knife or a screw driver.

 

Yeah, I don't think that story makes the point you think it does.

 

It would be nice if current criminals showed that kind of restraint.

 

Did you watch the video and listen to the report?

The man was already on the ground... the witnesses didn't bother to call 911 and were more concerned with having the retired officer put away the gun.

This video has nothing in common with what is being discussed.

No doubt there are videos to illustrate your point, but I don't know why you choose this one.