(Kimani Gray) Teenager Killed by Police Was Shot 7 Times, Autopsy Finds

[alp227]

Source: NYT

The 16-year-old boy who was killed in Brooklyn by the police in a hail of 11 bullets on Saturday night was hit by seven of them, three entering his body from the rear, the authorities said on Wednesday.

The report from the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner did not specify which of the seven bullets caused the death of the teenager, Kimani Gray; that determination awaits further investigation.

One bullet entered his left shoulder in the rear, exiting in the front; two other bullets struck the back of his thighs, one in the left thigh and one in the right. Two bullets struck from the front, hitting his right thigh; one bullet entered his left side, striking his lower rib cage; and the last bullet hit his left lower forearm.

The police said that two plainclothes officers fired at Mr. Gray after he pulled a .38-caliber revolver and pointed it at them; the officers then fired 11 shots, killing him. Mr. Gray’s revolver had four bullets in its chamber, the police said.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/nyregion/teenager-killed-by-new-york-police-was-shot-7-times.html

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Democracy Now has included this story and ensuing protests (one of which became violent) in the daily headlines segment. While the overcriminalization of America and abuse of power by police are legitimate issues in the nation, were the protesters wise to rally for somebody who allegedly could've shot a cop? I remember when vacationing in NYC 3 years ago seeing a "shot cop hotline" bumper sticker on an NYPD car, so there must be an issue with shot cops in the city.

[hack89]

1. There is not much of a future in pulling a gun on a cop. nt

[Tempest]

3. Witnesses said he didn't. n/t

[AnotherMcIntosh]

2. The police would have more credibility if they did not tolerate cops who plant "drop guns" on

innocent civilians who are sometimes shot for holding cell phones and other small objects.

From the article:

"The police said Mr. Gray had adjusted his waistband in a suspicious manner. Witnesses later told police investigators that the officers ordered Mr. Gray to stop. He responded, the police said, by pulling out his gun.

Friends, relatives and witnesses have questioned whether Mr. Gray had a gun, and if he did, whether he had pointed it at the officers. "

[olddad56]

5. maybe he was just trying to hold his pants up.

why does it usually go unquestioned by the public when the cops open fire on people? It is beating all too common for cops to kill people.

[JonLP24]

4. I'm currently reading SAVAGE CITY by TJ English

which covers NYC from '63-'73 and is mostly about NYPD corruption. Amazing how it seems how little has changed based on the multiple questionable shootings described in the book.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

6. The riots in the 60's were invariably the result of unjustified police shootings, with the last ones

triggering the riots.

After a while, inner-city residents could see a pattern that was not going to be corrected by the politicans or police higher-ups.

Without having read Savage City, I have no doubt that TJ English probably covered some of NY's unjustified police shootings.

[JonLP24]

7. No doubt

He also mentions those riots, for the very same reason.