Gastonia man, 74, dead in officer-involved shooting

[KamaAina]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2015/02/08/5502557/officer-involved-shooting-that.html

Gastonia police sent to check on the welfare of a 74-year-old man shot and killed him in his home late Saturday after he confronted them with a gun, police said....

“A decision was made to enter the house, concerned that he may be inside in need of emergency assistance,” Helton said.

The Fire Department helped enter through the back door of the house, and Gastonia police Officer Josh Lefevers announced his presence, Helton said.

When officers entered, they found Allen holding a handgun and pointing it toward the officers, Helton said. “He was challenged to lower the gun down,” Helton said. “The gun was pointed in the direction of the officers, and a shot was fired that fatally wounded him.”

And here's his sister. Quelle surprise!

[Dont call me Shirley]

1. James...

[braddy]

2. What an incredible way for a 74 year old vet, to get taken out.

[Terra Alta]

3. and of course the officer involved gets a nice paid vacation.

If you're a minority and worried about a relative's well-being, DO NOT call police, unless you want things to get much, much worse.

May Mr. Allen rest in peace.

[uppityperson]

4. They broke into his house to make sure he wasn't dead and shot him dead?

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/crime/74-year-old-north-carolina-man-fatally-shot-police-officer-during-welfare-check

Her husband, Robert Battle, said he understood why the elderly man had a gun in his hand.

"You kicked the man's door in. He's disoriented and he's in his own house, privacy of his own home; my first reaction would be to grab a gun, too," he said.

http://www.gastongazette.com/news/local/there-should-have-been-a-better-way-1.435230

A neighbor said he can understand why James Howard Allen reached for his gun when he heard someone coming into his house late Saturday night.

“It’s pretty rough here,” said Marcus Meadows, a resident of nearby Crescent Lane in Gastonia. “There is some thugging, and drinking and drug dealing that goes on around here, so sometimes you don’t feel safe.”...

[Mnemosyne]

5. K&R,

[malaise]

6. Murder

cold blooded murder in his own home

[rhett o rick]

7. The 15 words you hope never to hear: "We are the police and we are here to see that you are safe."

Bang! "Ooops"