8th-grader killed by Texas police had pellet gun

[longrange1947]

Cheri - I doubt seriously that Zac would get in that situation as he will unquestionably obey an LEO when he is told to do something of that nature.

That kid ignored orders and proceeded to pose a threat. I would have hated to see anyone's kid hurt if the officers decided to try and "talk" him into surrendering only to have him shoot someone if it had been a real gun. You and Chuck have done well in that realm of parenthood.

AS an aside, Those men and women, in LEO, must make on the spot decisions that will affect them and others for the rest of their lives. The trick is to make a decision that will have the least possible consequences if wrong. I know, you want to make the right decision every time but that is not realistic. Mistakes are made. To sit back, as some do, and in the comfort of hind sight and, no stress, and NO personal involvement and call them cowards is BS in my mind.

[SLVGW360]

For quite some time now, criminals have been painting real guns to look like BB guns or airsoft guns. I'm not saying that a kid would necessarily do such a thing, but you can't gamble the lives of innocents in either case.

Kids these days don't use their fists like we used to do. They either do nothing or go way beyond what we would even thought of doing.

RB

[rdret1]

Originally Posted by Buffalobob

Cowards not able to face down a 15 year old kid because they were afraid. Anyone who has been a combat officer or medic knows that the job requires you to face your fears and do a job that often means putting your weapon aside and getting out your map or aid bag even though there is danger. Just a pure and simple case of cowardice and shooting a kid in the back of the head.

Bob, to put it plainly, that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. This is an example of a no-win situation that LEOs are faced with sometimes. Obviously, this kid had some problems that had not been dealt with prior to this incident.

Dylan Klebold was 17 and Eric Harris were 18 when they killed and injured so many at Colombine.

In 1996, a 14 year old named Barry Loukaitis killed two students and a teacher in Washington state.

In 1997, 16 year old Evan Ramsey killed a principal and a student in Alaska.

In 1997, 16 year old Luke Woodham killed his mother, two students and wounded seven others in Mississippi.

Also in 1997; 14 year old Michael Carneal killed three students in Kentucky and 14 year old Colt Todd killed two students in Arkansas.

The list goes on. Now please explain to me how these officers showed any hint of cowardice? The kid had what appeared to be a real gun. He was warned more than once to drop it, which he chose not to. These officers were protecting the lives of all those in the school and did what they had to do. They, the boys family, and those in the school that day now have to live with it.

[Barbarian]

Posted by MTN Medic: "actions have consequences"

Call me callous, but that is a fact of life, and applies to all aspects of life, regardless of age, race, etc.

The LEOs' choice was a sad but necessary one. The boy's choice was an easy one, and he chose wrong.

[DaveMatteson]

Originally Posted by Buffalobob

Cowardice is cowardice. If your life is more important than your self respect then pull the trigger.

Interesting...my life in one hand...and my self respect in the other...yeah, I'll defend myself and SAVE my life...

BTW, what did the Army teach you during your weapons training about wounding people? I'm sure you read that the parents wanted to know WHY the police didn't wing their son. I was never trained to wound anyone. I was trained to fire "center of mass".

[DaveMatteson]

Originally Posted by longrange1947

That close up, I doubt seriously if you would notice the bore size, as, from experience, it will be magnified.

Some of the old style gas operated all steel airsoft guns have a regular looking barrel while the 6mm insert is recessed into it. Unless you are looking at the barrel close up you would never notice it.

[Pete]

Is this the sickest film in America? Calls to ban ultra-violent gang movie starring children as young as 12

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz1iijqKzIw


"An ultra-violent movie that features children as young as 12 murdering their way through the streets of New York has been branded 'disgusting'.

Anti-violence campaigners claim the film, Toddlers, glorifies guns and have called for it to be banned.

Set in Harlem, the movie - released on DVD last month - follows the exploits of a boy who has to fend for himself after his drug dealer father is murdered..........."

I guess it's just keepin' it real in the hood.

But it's just a movie ...................

[Paslode]

Originally Posted by Pete

Is this the sickest film in America? Calls to ban ultra-violent gang movie starring children as young as 12

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz1iijqKzIw


"An ultra-violent movie that features children as young as 12 murdering their way through the streets of New York has been branded 'disgusting'.

Anti-violence campaigners claim the film, Toddlers, glorifies guns and have called for it to be banned.

Set in Harlem, the movie - released on DVD last month - follows the exploits of a boy who has to fend for himself after his drug dealer father is murdered..........."

I guess it's just keepin' it real in the hood.

But it's just a movie ...................

The glamorization of feral children.

[greenberetTFS]

Originally Posted by Pete

Is this the sickest film in America? Calls to ban ultra-violent gang movie starring children as young as 12

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz1iijqKzIw


"An ultra-violent movie that features children as young as 12 murdering their way through the streets of New York has been branded 'disgusting'.

Anti-violence campaigners claim the film, Toddlers, glorifies guns and have called for it to be banned.

Set in Harlem, the movie - released on DVD last month - follows the exploits of a boy who has to fend for himself after his drug dealer father is murdered..........."

I guess it's just keepin' it real in the hood.

But it's just a movie ..........

I agree with you Pete it is a SICK MOVIE and just because they made it doesn't mean they were right in doing it...........

Big Teddy

[kgoerz]

Originally Posted by VAKEMP

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-...ad-pellet-gun/



People are now saying the cops that shot the 15-year old used excessive force.

I feel sorry for the Cop....life just sucks sometimes.

[Groleck]

http://news.yahoo.com/texas-school-s...234525229.html

FWIW, he wasn't shot in the back of the head, killed by two to the torso.

"...Rodriguez said the preliminary autopsy report showed the boy was shot twice in the torso. Family members initially thought he was shot in the back of the head, but that wound turned out to be a cut from a fall."

- Dan P.

What bothers me most about this story is the headline. Eighth grader. True, the kid might have been in eighth grade, but he was 15. Generally one is 13 in 8th grade. Media tugging on heartstrings again.

[MTN Medic]

I was 15 in 8th grade because my B-day is late in the year. I think most are 14 and a few are 15.

18 SR
17 JR
16 SO
15 FROSH
14 8th Grade.

Originally Posted by MTN Medic

I was 15 in 8th grade because my B-day is late in the year. I think most are 14 and a few are 15.

18 SR
17 JR
16 SO
15 FROSH
14 8th Grade.

Hmm, guess I was just going off my own experience and counting...
5 in k
6 in 1
7 in 2
8 in 3
9 in 4
10 in 5
11 in 6
12 in 7
13 in 8

Of course I was 18 my second time around in 11th grade. Thanks for pointing out possible age differences in schools to me.

[Horned Frog]

At 15 years old I was a sophomore in high school. My dad was KIA in Afghanistan and I tested out of the rest of my credits and graduated to work and help my mom. 15 is old enough to know better, but not old enough to "get it" that you aren't bulletproof. Sad situation, but as has been stated, he had an easy choice and made the wrong one. I'd side with the cops on this one 9 times out of 10.