I love all of the Monday morning quarterbacks on this board who appeared to be so anti-police. My understanding of this case is that the police got a call from a neighbor indicating that the door to the home was wide open. 20 minutes later, the police arrived and the door was still wide open. Obviously, the police officers suspected that a burglary was in progress. Since nobody keeps their front door wide open for 20+ minutes, especially in a high crime neighborhood at 2:30 in the morning, I certainly can understand why the officers believed that a burglary may have been occurring. Finally, apparently the victim was carrying a handgun when the officer observed her through the window. The cop was probably startled by seeing a person with a gun a few feet away from him and pulled the trigger. I’m not suggesting that the victim was at fault. However, this case may be more negligence than a crime committed by the police officer.
> apparently the victim was carrying a handgun when the officer observed her through the window <
According to the report I read, a handgun was found in the bathroom. But the lady had been playing a video game with her nephew. So if that cop saw anything at all in her hand, it was a video game controller.
To defend this cop in the slightest, you must find it reasonable for a cop to immediately shoot anyone who is holding a gun in their own home. And you must also find it reasonable for a cop to immediately shoot anyone who is holding something that only might be a gun.
Neither action constitutes first degree murder. But neither action is reasonable in the slightest. And was no accident. So it is murder. Just not premeditated murder.
Finally, apparently the victim was carrying a handgun when the officer observed her through the window. The cop was probably startled by seeing a person with a gun a few feet away from him and pulled the trigger.
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Maybe because the victim, wondering what the noise was outside, thought there was someone trying to break in, so she picked up a gun.
Everybody knows that it’s best to form an opinion as fast as possible. Don’t wait for an investigation to establish the facts of the incident and certainly by no means study Texas law on criminal homicide.
Everyone has a supercomputer in their hands and can look up the law. They just lack the common sense to make pronouncements of fact before they become available.
Yes, people do. For all the reasons you have been told, or because the door sticks in the frame and later the wind pulls it open. Or because kids run in and out and don’t shut the door.
You, Bort. Don’t ever work law enforcement or any job with a weapon. You are far too irresponsible to wield one.
The person who called called a non-emergency number, not 911. They did not report there was any burglary or altercation going on. Why wouldn’t the cops go to the door and knock? Why didn’t they park their cop car out front with the lights on? Sorry, maybe it’s just this idiot, or maybe it’s the whole department, but they come across like a bunch of incompetent, trigger-happy, useless “public servants”.
Leaving your door open is not a crime, this woman was sitting in her house, and realizes someone is creeping around outside, has no idea why that might be, and gets shot for her trouble.
This is their idea of a welfare check, going to the home and killing the person they’re supposed to be checking on.
You excuse that if you see fit, but no reasonable person, of any race or political persuasion will agree with you. Because what you are saying is it’s OK for any cop to kill anyone at any time.