'Disturbing' patterns and practices found in look at 250 police-involved shootings - Palm Beach

[RockaFowler]

http://www.wptv.com/news/local-news/investigations/system-set-up-to-clear-deputies-who-shoot-joint-investigation-finds

Armed with a Cellphone

Exclusively-obtained dash-cam video shows Dontrell Stephens, 20, talking on a cell phone while riding his bike on a Friday morning in September 2013. He can be seen turning onto Norma Elaine Road near Haverhill Road and Okeechobee Boulevard as PBSO deputy Adams Lin trails him.

Moments later, Stephens realizes he’s being followed. He pulls over, gets off his bike with a cell phone in his right hand and walks toward the deputy. For approximately four seconds Stephens is out of frame only to be seen again when being shot four times.

Stephens, who is black and has a criminal record for possessing cocaine, is seen running from the bullets then dropping to the ground.

Stephens was armed with nothing but a cell phone.



WPTV placed this on their Facebook page last night and people were blaming WPTV for releasing this video. They aren't mad at the Police Officer, they were mad at WPTV. I'm disturbed by this report and by the people who take the side of the cop. The sheriff here is on the cop's side everytime. No matter if he hasn't seen the evidence - within 20 minutes of any shooting he is there to say it was not the Deputy's fault.

[justiceischeap]

1. I don't know much about the PB area but 114 shootings in 15 years

for one area seems excessive to me. It almost seems like their sheriff has given them a hunting license.

[cstanleytech]

2. Seems like it might be but thats out of a population of over 1 million over a 15 year period which

is as a percentage of the population is extremely small, the best way to tell if the numbers excessive truly is to compare it to the average for areas with similar population density across the nation.

[marym625]

3. and per usual shoot first rules, absolutely zero aid given