Like a lost episode of Beavis and Butthead where Todd gets shot at after wielding a TV remote control at officers, it seems we have trouble in Trouble Town;
The officer called out to the suspect to question him about the object in his hand. Clemens said the suspect then appeared to raise his hand in a motion in a way that made it seem as though he had a gun. The officer fired at the suspect, who then fled on foot.
Okay, I know, I try not to comment on crime in Sioux Falls, I strongly believe you are innocent until proven guilty, accept this time, the suspect got away. I will say this also, I am glad the officer was not hurt, and am also happy to hear, apparently the suspect was not injured either, ah, if there was one.
Now, I am not sure what happened, but I am in a speculating mood, so let’s go;
First, what we know;
1) The officer involved has only been on the force for about 2 years and is 27 years old.
2) The suspect was holding ‘something’. Could have been a stick, a box of mac & cheese or a gun.
3) The suspect didn’t respond to the officer’s request (to drop the Hot Pocket Pop Tart).
4) More then one round was fired at suspect (witnesses say up to 6 shots).
5) The officer’s audio recording was working but the patrol car camera was in the opposite direction.
Okay, so the speculation time;
• Could have been a homeless person hard of hearing with a can of Pringles in their hand
• Could have been a jogger with a flashlight
• Could have been Casper the Ghost (the non-friendly version)
At this point nobody knows what it was. But what is troubling is that the SFPD isn’t releasing key information;
1) How many rounds were fired?
2) What was on the audio recording?
3) Should an officer be approaching people in a public park simply because they are walking near a police car? Maybe the person was seeking help, like I said, they may have been hard of hearing, or injured, or confused.
Not sure how this will all turn out, but there is a lot of unanswered questions. Maybe someone needs to hack some emails and work out a sweet ass plea deal to figure this all out, ah, nevermind, that’s the fire department.
I find it troubling that an officer can fire at a person in a public place simply because the officer doesn’t understand the threat. If the suspect ever comes forward, I do think we need to take up a collection to buy him some new drawers.
Look at the number of shots fired and the number of shots that hit the target with our officers. Its pathetic!!! Remember the shootout near 6th and Menlo a few years ago.
I know the officer. He’s a good guy and will be surprised if the facts are different than his story. If this was a case of mistaken identity, the jogger would have came forward by now.
As the son of a retired officer, they have little time to react and every action is magnified after the fact. We should always side with the officer until the facts prove them wrong. Always listen to police. Your life may depend on it.
LJL, I agree 100% that is why I think this is so weird. I really hope this works out okay, even if I am being sarcastic, I don’t want an officer being let go because of silliness, and I know they dont have an easy job. But lets look at the facts, and as a city lets release them. The truth will set us free
Officers are employed to enforce the law and protect the public. The public needs to respect those facts and always do as requested by the police. When the public does not cooperate and respect the requests, they place themselves in serious situations and take the risk of their actions being misinterpreted thus inviting the worst of consequences.
In this incident as well as the national incidents, if the public had responded to the orders of the law enforcement they would all be alive, no shots would have needed to be fired.
End of story. Do as you are instructed.
I don’t like to speculate either but is it possible the suspect was complying with the officer’s order and showing him what was in his hand?
This officer would be drummed out of the force if he was in Rapid City, 6 shots and they all missed? Out here, if an officer pulls the trigger, a Native American dies. If he fired six times and missed, seems to me his heart wasn’t fully into it, good for him.
I’m reminded of the time a year ago when 5 officers fired 71 shots (they reloaded) into a quiet neighborhood at an unarmed later proven innocent man. The state investigated and it got covered up.
Isn’t it time to realign, restrict, and retrain SFPD? There are few times they should have to use their firearm. The fault lies in the leadership. It’s become more political than functional.
what could anyone be charged with if they came forward?
How about you west river folk crawl into the 21 century and let racism die Tim. You still shittin outside to?
LJL, I think Tim was being sarcastic, dark, but sarcastic 😉
scott, I kind have thought the same thing. Like I said, probably a homeless person scared shitless, and even if not, if you did nothing wrong, would you come forward to be charged with something? Doubtful.
I see a cop getting a lifetime of ribbing, and a homeless person getting 3 hots and cot until the PD realizes they don’t really have a leg to stand on.
Can we assume that english is the official language of the SFPD?
DD – Seriously, where do you come up with this stuff? Please get some help.
ljl, sorry my comment went right over your head, was trying to make a point.
One of the worst things that ever happened to this country was when 9/11 was used as a way to militarize our nation’s police departments. Everybody got unneeded toys, and along with them came an attitude. Funny how some of the same people who scream state’s rights and the 2nd amendment just as loudly cry “comply” when it comes to cops. Unless, of course, it’s some hillbillies in Nevada.
perhaps the person should not have been in the park (or the middle of the street or unlawfully selling items) in violation of city ordinance; perhaps that person should follow the lawful orders of police (in each case mentioned except Florida WHERE NO POLICE WERE INVOLVED) then maybe the police would not have to respond with force
Got it. I forgot about the recent incident out there Tim.
You are west river so I will assume your still shittin outside. 🙂
Well, if your ass always stuck to the cold seat on nights like these, you would be a bit sarcastic too. Can’t wait to get indoor plumbing, maybe now that I got that $1.25 an hour raise.