Black man shot in Florida yesterday with hands up, lying down, no weapon

[Equinox Moon]

Video shows therapist moments before he was wounded by police marksman while trying to get his autistic patient to comply with officers

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/21/florida-police-shoot-black-man-lying-down-with-arms-in-air

An autistic man’s therapist was shot and wounded by police [sniper] in Florida while lying on the street with his hands in the air.

Charles Kinsey, who works with people with disabilities, was trying to get his 27-year-old patient back to a facility from where he wandered, North Miami assistant police chief Neal Cuevas told the Miami Herald.

Cuevas said police – who were responding to reports of a man threatening to shoot himself – ordered Kinsey and the patient, who was sitting in the street playing with a toy truck, to lie on the ground.

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This must stop!!!

[no_hypocrisy]

1. This situation is the epitame of what's wrong with how police "resolve" situations.

Police weren't called to the scene because of the therapist.

The therapist was African-American, which gave rise to assumptions by the police.

The police weren't listening to him.

The therapist did not have a weapon, licensed or otherwise, and he advised the police about this fact.

The police either weren't advised properly of the situation or they were and ignored the advice.

The therapist was absolutely vulnerable and held no danger to the safety or lives of the police. He was lying down with his arms in the arm, hands empty.

And he was shot anyway and continued to protect his charge despite his injury.

He was lucky he didn't die.

[auntpurl]

2. I am horrified.

Cross-post of my comment from LBN:


Do you know how little money careworkers make, for doing an incredibly difficult job? This guy is making pennies taking care of some of the most difficult clients. Autistic people are often combative, difficult to control. This guy is probably hit in the face daily by his clients. While he was lying there on the street, he was trying his best to protect his client, yelling "He has a toy truck in his hand!" presumably so the police would know it wasn't a gun.

As a mental health professional, this is so heartbreaking to me. I'm so glad he survived and I hope he makes a fortune off this police department.

[Equinox Moon]

4. It is horrifying

On the news tonight the police are saying, 'they were trying to protect him from the man with a gun.'
Wow! Since when is shooting someone protecting them?

You can hear him saying who he is and what is going on. He tells them his client has a toy truck.

Honestly! they have to do better! I am glad he is going to be okay.

[citood]

3. Police on edge

- They responded to a 'man with a gun'...in force, with guns drawn...Baton Rouge effect.
- They fail to assess the situation themselves, and determine that there is no real danger to them, once they arrive.
- They shoot. I believe it was accidental, because it was only 1 shot, and not to the head or chest. Huge fuck up.
- The shot triggers some protocol, where they treat him like a dangerous criminal, and cuff him instead of immediately rendering medical aid. This is the most problematic to me...reminded me of witnessing Castille bleed to death with a gun pointed at him.