Burglar killed by cop was unarmed

[GreenStormCloud]

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A man shot and killed by an Albuquerque police officer responding to a burglar alarm last month was not armed, a police spokesman said Friday.

SNIP

Wilham said investigators found a bottle of tequila on the ground where Jones collapsed after the shooting. Investigators speculate Jones was attempting to reach for the bottle in his back pocket.

Carr and a second officer initially responded to the alarm and when they arrived found the back door was open. When the officers entered, they encountered Jones.

The officers reported they ordered Jones to surrender and yelled at him to show them his hands. When Jones made the move toward his pocket, Carr shot at him.

Carr shot again at Jones after he continued to run away. Jones made it to the front porch of the home and collapsed.

Continued at link: http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/crime/burglar-killed-by-cop-was-unarmed

[whistler162]

1. Well if you reach towards a object in you pocket

while being arrested by police the probablity of being shot is close to 100%.

[eqfan592]

2. Too true.

I'm sure it doesn't make the cop feel any better about it, but I don't see what choice they would have had in that situation. If they guy had a gun, and they wait until he has it drawn, they've just greatly increased the likelihood of one or both of them getting shot.

[GreenStormCloud]

3. Death by terminal stupidity.

Once, about 20+ years ago, I happened to be in a store parking lot when three cop cars, each from a different direction, suddenly converged on a car. All the officer got out, guns drawn, telling the driver to freeze. The idiot got out of his car and began waving his hands around, asking what was going on. I didn't stay to watch anymore, I took cover. Fortunately, nothing more happened. The officers got him cuffed and stuffed.

When the officer says to show your hands, freeze, open your hands wide, and slowly move them into view, palms visible. That is a really stupid time to reach for your pocket.

[elehhhhna]

4. what's the point of this op?

[slackmaster]

5. If that burglar had been armed, he might still be alive today

:sarcasm:

[GreenStormCloud]

6. Shows that we shoot on reasonable threat, not on certainty.

The relevance is to the Castle Doctrine that allows a resident to shoot if the intruder has entered illegally and by breaking in. We don't have to make certain whether he is armed or not. All we need is a reasonable belief that he is a threat. (Heavy emphasis on "reasonable") It is going to emotionally difficult for the officer, but he couldn't afford to wait. The burglar didn't show his hands, but instead made a move for a pocket.