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Video of 6'6" 300# man charging cop. When would it have been ok for cop to shoot him?

posted 3 years ago by joej2923 (3026)
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Nice video of 6'6 300# NFL defensive tackle wandering around dazed and NAKED in South Florida. Dude eventually charged the cop and the cop defended himself but he ended up with eyesocket damage/swollen head.

My question is whether it would have been justified to shoot him with a gun. I assert that the cop definitely would have been justified to pull out his gun if he didn't have backup. I personally believe that the cop should be allowed to shoot a guy charging at him unarmed or not. The lone exception might be if it's a 120 pound woman or an elderly person. I'm surprised the cop didn't approach with his taser drawn but they eventually successfully used the taser on him. The excitement starts shortly after the 1:15 mark of the video.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10419391/New-video-shows-Browns-Malik-McDowell-charging-NAKED-cop-arrest.html

[–] CraigC (8177) 3 years ago

Hard to tell from the video and I hate doing "what-if's" in these situations but probably. The average lemming thinks force should be met with equal force but that's purely myth. Here's the thing about cops or people carrying concealed firearms, you are duty-bound to retain possession and control of that firearm. You don't deliberately get into a fight where you could lose control and possession of said firearm. You invade a cop's space, you're inviting bullet holes.

[–] joej2923 (3026) 3 years ago

Tennessee vs. Garner SC court case allows a cop to shoot a fleeing suspect if they are deemed a threat to either the cop or others. I think the cop would have been justified to shoot him after he was attacked BUT that would be a lot of trouble in the current political environment. I still think the cop should have had his taser out since NORMAL people don't walk around NAKED in public.

People have watched too many movies that show a hero disarming a perp with one shot or one punch. I do think it's unrealistic to expect cops to get into hand-to-combat matches with every troublemaker since most cops will be out sick with broken bones, concussions, etc. Recruitment will drop if the cops aren't allowed to use their guns. A social worker would have gotten their ass kicked in this situation. This guy should not be in the league. He should be locked up for his prior arrests.