Posted on 07/23/2018 10:52:31 AM PDT by BenLurkin
It remains unclear whether the manager was shot by police or Atkins, but the decision to engage in a firefight at the busy shopping center led some to question the Los Angeles Police Department’s response, while others were quick to praise the officers for risking their lives in an effort to stop Atkins.
…
“It’s one of those lose-lose situations,” said Geoff Alpert, a professor of criminology at the University of South Carolina... “Unless you can walk away with no one else getting injured or killed, there’s going to be someone criticizing something.”
But some were openly critical of the LAPD’s decision to shoot at Atkins when there were bystanders in the area.
“How are police deciding to open fire in a packed place, in the afternoon, on a Saturday?” asked Jesse Palmer, a 38-year-old neighbor of the slain woman. “It’s not like it’s an empty lot. It’s not like it’s an abandoned warehouse. What sort of protocol is required before you shoot into an area that’s congested and booming with commerce?”
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Atkins fired at police as he ran toward the store, and was injured by a volley of return fire, police said. He is expected to survive and is being held in lieu of $2 million on suspicion of murder, according to an LAPD spokesman. Additional charges are likely.
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Sid Heal, a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department commander and use-of-force expert, said it would be tragic if a bullet fired by police caused the death of an innocent bystander, but added that Atkins was an obvious danger to both the public and responding officers.
“We try to have a clear field of fire, but obviously the suspect has a substantial, even a decisive, advantage if we don’t return fire,” he said. “There is no easy answer.”
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Any further commentary from bunny slippers?
Well, 90% of the people on the street at that time were police / fireman/ paramedics so statistically they were more likely to get shot in this case. I was stunned at the massive response to this situation.
I would prefer a review of the police policy of chasing criminals in cars with the special technique they used. Its was responsible for the car crash that landed him on site.
It is so sad this young woman was killed. And she had worked there several years.
I’m just glad you didn’t get hurt.
The bad guys have taken up the strategy of tearing into multi-story parking garages when they are being chased.
There seems to be a car chase in LA about once per week, as (I suppose) you already know.
(steely)
bookmark
I just saw a documentary about the Lundt Cafe siege in Sydney, Australia a few years back. The police were severely criticized for not storming the cafe before the manager was shot. When they did finally move in, one hostage was killed by a misdirected police round, making it even worse. This incident seems to be at the opposite end of the police response spectrum, with a similar result.
Hey Bunny, was this poor manager within you sight inside the store when the bad guy charged inside? If you’re not allowed to comment, then no worries.
We’re all curious if she was shot inside, or outside, and of course whether the bad guy shot her.
Glad you are ok, BunnySlippers. One time in 1975, when I was 18 working a local convenience store in Pico Rivera, CA, I was held up. It is no fun staring at firearm, to be sure.
You and everyone there are in our prayers.
I do not know where the manager was hiding but I never saw her. I
do not know why she came out. My understanding was she was shot directly in front of the building ... the patio or area where they sell flowers. If you are a TJs shopper you know that the flowers are always right outside the front door.
As you know, I was the first hostage released by him. I was told he pointed at me to be released. I walked to the front where the police tank was standing ... and was taken away by police.
The hostage situation continued after that. As I say, she was not one of the people sitting in front of the shooter. Was she back in the offices or in the aisles? I don’t know. and I don’t know why she was out front.
Who shot her? I suppose it could be either. But this guy seemed like the kind that doesn’t really aim a gun. He probably cocks his arm to show “attitude” and pulls the trigger shooting wild!
Glad you are safe.
Atkins fired at police as he ran toward the store, and was injured by a volley of return fire, police said. He is expected to survive...
I think I see their problem...not enough range time.
Me too.
I was getting very glum about being 70 ... it may be God’s way of saying “lighten up!”.
ok thanks for your insights! Prayers up for her and everyone affected by this crazy situation.
Also saw one of the security guards interviewed. It was so sad, he was just sobbing because he spoke with her the day before about security stuff and really liked her, as did everyone apparently. He wasn’t working that day btw.
On second thought, I see she was shot at the BEGINNING.
I learned after it was over that the police were chasing him. One of the shocks I had after getting out was seeing his car plowed into the entrance of the building. When he came in, he was shooting aimlessly. As I have noted, I was probably closest to death by the two random shots that were dangerously close to me.
catbertz, which TJs do you shop in? Are you closer to Hollywood?
What technique? Was it one of those strips placed on the road?
Still praying for your full recovery and return to normal life.
Im glad you were the first one he let out. Maybe because of the kindness you showed him when he was shot, helping his jacket. As horrible a specimen as he was, maybe that bit of humanity you showed him saved lives.
I wonder how the 91 year old man is faring.
It is ironic, isn’t it, that most TJ’s I know do have security guards outside. Plenty of stores do not. What was the TJs rent a cop doing when this guy came out of a crashed car with cops behind him, aiming to go into the store armed? Was the store security guy unarmed?
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