Shot Bystander Defends NYPD in Empire State Shooting

nbcnewyork.com ^ | Gus Rosendale

[marktwain]

One of the nine bystanders hit by gunfire when police shot and killed Jeffrey Johnson near the Empire State Building last week says an inch probably made the difference between life and death for him.

In his first television interview Tuesday, Alberto Ramos of the Bronx told NBC 4 New York he was shot through his left foot, and that a bullet also came close to hitting his head.

[marktwain]

Initial reports had nine bystanders wounded. Six were from concrete shrapnel or bullet fragments , three from bullets. Bullets were reported recoved from two of the three, with the third reported as passing through and not being recovered. This appears to be the one case where the bullet passed through.

[cripplecreek]

Good man.

[Azeem]

Let’s see what kind of paycheck he gets from NYPD after all this is over. I think he’s playing the ‘nice cop’ act in the negotiations.

[nobamanomore]

Despite whatever was said, the fact remains that these officers turned 16 shots loose on a crowded street at a perp who was approximately 5 feet away.

It was VERY POOR judgment, marksmanship, and a poor reaction to stress. If a CCW bystander had done it, he’d have his gun, permit taken away, and be locked up! Think about it, I carry a gun 24/7, no way would I have gotten away with unloading a 10-round magazine into a city street like that. I would be in jail talking to a lawyer.

[Gay State Conservative]

Sadly,given the circumstances of this particular incident the injury of innocent civilians shouldn't be unexpected.Every filthy personal injury lawyers within 100 miles of NYC will,no doubt,scream otherwise.I'd bet the clothes off my back that they'll be at least several successful claims against the City of New York....”PTSD”,or “negligence”,or “reckless endangerment” or something like that.

[Emmett McCarthy]

“negligence”,or “reckless endangerment”
If it’s not one of those things, at the very least, then what exactly would you call it?

[Rummyfan]

It was VERY POOR judgment, marksmanship, and a poor reaction to stress.

Extremely poor markmanship and discipline. They took the bad guy down but these officers need to spend a lot of time at the range.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

I carry a gun 24/7

I've tried that, but every time I roll over my CC holster falls out of my pajamas.

[wideawake]

Yes, it’s all a big conspiracy. No chance at all that this is his honest opinion, right?

[Gay State Conservative]

If it’s not one of those things, at the very least, then what exactly would you call it?

Don't know about you but *I've* never been in a life or death gun battle in the military,a police force or anywhere else,for that matter.The closest I've ever come is having qualified with the M-14 and the M-16 in Army BCT.Even that limited experience with firearms strongly suggests to me that in a situation like the recent one in Manhattan...armed killer....handguns..."will I ever see my wife and kids again?"....adrenaline must have been pumping through their brains like crazy.Until I can prove that I could have done any better in that situation I'm gonna give the cops the benefit of the doubt.

How 'bout you? Have you ever proven,in a similar situation,that you could do better than they did? Just askin'....

[marktwain]

at a perp who was approximately 5 feet away.

I have watched the video several times. It is my judgement that the closest officer was about 12 feet away when the shooting started (about two body lengths).

Both officers and Johnson were moving.

[pgyanke]

If a CCW bystander had done it, he’d have his gun, permit taken away, and be locked up!

"Tyranny is defined as that which is legal for the government but illegal for the citizenry."

-- Thomas Jefferson

[nobamanomore]

Could you only imagine the editorials in the NY Times if a citizen had emptied a .40 into a crowded street like that?

Thomas Jefferson would be a busy man if he were around now. We are heading for a fiscal cliff AND tyranny.