Did the kid point it at the officers or other people?
Another phrase for “replica firearm” is fake gun, or toy gun. Once again the cops killed someone for having a toy.
Fortunately, he was not killed. The source article states:
Police said two detectives saw the youth with what looked like a firearm and gave chase. One of the officers fired, wounding the boy. His injuries were not considered life-threatening, police said.
But I have to wonder why it was appropriate for the police officer to fire while giving chase. Did he shoot the kid from behind? Was the kid aiming at anyone?
Read the article, the kid didn’t suffer life threatening injuries.
It really depends on what the kid did with the toy gun. The Rice case was inexcusable, there was no reason for the cops in that case to shoot him, same for John Crawford in Ohio. But, if someone points a toy gun at a cop or is threatening others with it, and they can’t tell the difference, they are going to have to react as if it is real. The details will come out and we can determine how justified the shooting is…there is definitely an issue with cops being overly aggressive in their reactions, but let’s not make the same mistake and assume every officer involved shooting is murder.
WTF? Firing at someone running AWAY from you – when that person never fired on them or is even suspected of harming anyone else.
First, no one was killed. Second, a replica firearm is just that and cannot be said to be a “toy.” There are people who collect these rather than the real thing. This is a not uncommon hobby in Japan.
They will? So there’s video of the incident then?
From the article:
Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis said there was “no reason to believe that these officers acted inappropriately in any way,” but said they would investigate the matter, according to the Sun.
Sounds like job well done and case closed.
At some point, the Police are going to have to 1) determine if the weapon is real or not, and 2) decide if there is a threat. Tamir Rice and John Crawford are perfect examples of innocent people killed because 1) and 2) were not done.
So, why was the mom arrested exactly? For complaining the cops shot her son?
The article said nothing about the why or wherefore. Unless that is @exspectator has another source.
Remember when we were kids, and played with toy guns? Did you ever worry some cop might shoot you for it?
withholding judgment until more facts
We’re getting into a murkier area here. If the officer(s) involved had a reasonable suspicion that the toy gun was real and that there was an “imminent threat” to the public, he or they would have had justification. So I guess we’ll just have to wait for the full story, assuming it comes out.
I miss George Carlin more each day; he had that line about a city that banned toy guns. But kept the real ones.
You make a very good point. I’m confused where we are in terms of what (crazy) laws we have or have not enacted. It used to be that someone needed to be in danger to justify deadly force. But ‘tough on crime’ TV shows encourage folks to believe we need to shoot runners for running ('cause we lose them otherwise). And TV always shows an obviously guilty bad-guy running away from arrest.
But this case, like so many other recent ones, highlights why it is imperative NOT to use deadly force just because a frightened person runs away.
F---- thank you.
I know guys walk on this rock and think that they would never be put in that spot.
However unless that kid was pointing at bystanders or refused a direct order, why was he shot?
OK. was it;
A) A “Replica Firearm Glock”
B) Nerf Gun.
Both are technically a “Replica Firearm” in police vernacular.
Yes, could be anything from what everyone would recognize as a toy into a very realistic replica AKA airsoft. We have pretty strong regulations demanding that the realistic weapons have a clear orange tip. Sadly, the big-time hobbyists claim that reduces their sensation… oh wait, that was… uh… … So they purchase illegals to circumvent this tragic restriction.
Still shouldn’t be shooting someone running away. Especially when open-carry is the rule of the day.
But folks, please nag your testosterone-crazed friends & spouses to use orange protection!
Nope, no other source. Which is why I phrased my concerns as questions, not facts.
The story said “replica” but that could be just what the police decided to call it. We may well learn that in fact it was a toy. Sure, I’m jumping to conclusions that don’t favor the police, and for good reason.