Cop Shoots and Kills Son after Mistaking Him for An Intruder

[Stuart G]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by scarletwoman (a host of the Editorials & Other Articles group).

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/22/12890014-cop-shoots-and-kills-son-after-reportedly-mistaking-him-for-an-intruder?lite&__utma=14933801.1632040111.1342392689.1342888108.1342997063.18&__utmb=14933801.2.10.1342997063&__utmc=

By NBC News staff


An off-duty police officer shot and killed his son after mistaking him for an intruder, New York State Police said.

Michael Leach, 59, an officer with the Parry Police Department in Wyoming County in western New York state, was staying at a motel in Old Forge. He called 911 early Saturday to say he just shot someone he thought was an intruder, troopers said, according to The Syracuse Post-Standard.

The victim turned out to be his son, Matthew S. Leach, 37, of Rochester.

Troopers said that the elder Leach used his department-issued .45-caliber Glock handgun in the shooting. He was hospitalized after the shooting for what for what troopers described as a "medical issue."
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Very sad.

[kestrel91316]

1. Whoops. But this wouldn't have happened if the son had been armed, too.

[yurbud]

8. if the son had been armed too, it would have been a killing in self-defense

[elleng]

2. Almost didn't read this;

wish I hadn't. He'll probably never recover.

[LonePirate]

3. This doesn't add up to me.

Why would he mistake his son for an intruder? As a law enforcement officer, shouldn't he attempt verbal communication with the target before firing his weapon? Did his son have a key to the motel room or did he try to break into it? What are the odds the son would break into a motel room rented by his father? I'm suspicious here.

[russspeakeasy]

7. Yeah, something wrong here.

[DrDan]

4. I truly feel sorry for ths guy - can't imagine what he is going through

having killed his son

[rfranklin]

5. You are assuming that it wasn't intentional...

As mentioned above, why did he not say, "Who is it? I have a gun and will shoot if you do not identify yourself!"

Was he angry with his son? Was he he high or drunk?

This one smells like week old fisn.

[DrDan]

6. that's true - I am assuming that - it could certainly be otherwise

[scarletwoman]

9. This is a horrible tragic story, however it does not belong in Good Reads.

Please re-post in General Discussion.

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