Cops never have the right to gun down a fleeing unarmed man

[Kurska]

No matter what may have happened previously.

I thought this was common sense, but sense doesn't appear to common these days.

[LittleBlue]

1. I don't get it

The penalty for resisting arrest shouldn't be immediate execution.

How is this even controversial?

[Kurska]

2. +1 n/t

[Hoyt]

3. Basically agree. However if a suspect just killed some innocent people, I think you have to stop

them in most cases.

Police don't necessarily have to shoot to kill, but someone who has just killed (or severely harmed an innocent person) is likely to kill again. I think they have to be stopped from getting away and putting other folks in danger. The facts better be evident that is was really the only way to protect others.

Short of that, I don't think police should shoot anyone fleeing who is not a direct threat.

I also think all police should wear video/audio recorders, and we need a better "class" of police (with corresponding pay).

[nomorenomore08]

4. I've come to the conclusion that some just want to see as many dead "n***ers" as possible.

Their ultimate fantasy is killing off an entire race which they consider subhuman and a drain on society.

[AverageJoe90]

5. As much as I hate to say this, you may be right.

And this isn't just in a few places. Los Angeles, for example, had many of it's own problems with racist cops as recently as the '90s, as I'm sure many of us know.

It's long past time to deal with police corruption. Everywhere.

[Hoyt]

6. I agree with that 100%. I also think that is true for a lot of citizen gun toters.

[BronxBoy]

7. I'll reserve judgement...

until it's proven that he was actually fleeing. Lots of witnesses say he was submissive with his hands in the air.

Sound like fleeing to you?

[Kurska]

11. Wouldn't change anything.

Nothing excuses gunning down an unarmed man 35 feet from you with his hands in the air.

[BronxBoy]

12. I think we are on the same page....

my quibble was with how the narrative is shaping up to be that he was "fleeing". From the little I have read, he was not and we shouldn't let language taint perception of the case

[lpbk2713]

8. I think it's a mindset thing.

I suspect whenever some of them fire at someone they rationalize it in their own minds as "if he's not guilty of what I'm shooting at him for he's guilty of something else he's never been caught for."

[pintobean]

9. Agree.

Even if the cop's claims are true*, he doesn't get to shot once Brown retreats.

* There appears to be reason to doubt his claims of a struggle for his gun.

[Kurska]

10. Oh I don't trust his explanation any further than I can throw him.

But that is my point, even if it was true, it is no excuse.