Post by Scumhunter on Nov 30, 2019 1:25:50 GMT -5
From ktul.com:
BLACKWELL, Okla. (KTUL) — The streets of Blackwell were quiet this evening, but residents across town were not.
Residents were shocked about the news of police Lieutenant John Mitchell being indicted for second-degree murder for an incident that ended in the death of a woman.
Police say dispatch received a call about an active shooter who was going around town shooting at things, then at the officers. A lot of gunfire was exchanged, and the woman was killed following a pursuit.
Upwards of 60 shots were reported, which is why some say he was indicted, but supporters disagree.
"To me, you return fire until the threat is neutralized, and you don't know if it's going to be one or one hundred," said Sean Ingram, a Mitchell supporter.
For the law enforcement community, the indictment has sent a chilling shockwave of concern, summed up by the state president of the fraternal order of police.
"This would be the first time in American history that a police officer or anybody was charged with the crime of murder for shooting at an active shooter," said Jason Smith, president of the Oklahoma Fraternal Order of Police.
"Where do you draw that line? You're being shot at," one resident said.
It's a question for a jury, and sitting in the courtroom will be plenty of Mitchell supporters.
"He is the most honorable person I know, and I will back him all the way," said Ingram.
ktul.com/news/local/community-rallies-behind-blackwell-officer
Thoughts? The reason I'm posting about this case on its' own thread rather than in our thread about police controversies I'm the news is because it is somewhat interesting in that the Blackwell Police Department was featured on the very episode of In Pursuit, which saw the show's first direct capture after Luis Frias was caught in Mexico.
I don't think Lieutenant Mitchell was interviewed on the show about the manhunt for Frias and efforts to get justice for Jamett Reyna but anyone can correct me if I'm wrong.
Anyway police controversies have obviously been very prevalent in the news. And while most police officers are honest and honorable men who are hard-working and do their jobs with a lack of appreciation or better pay, there are bad cops out there, there are bad shootings or situations with minorities handled improperly and I'm not one of those people on social media who always defends cops (while usually yelling at liberals that it's their fault cops can't do their jobs properly) no matter what, but this case makes me uncomfortable as to how Lieutenant Mitchell was even indicted considering the woman was allegedly on a shooting spree.
I'll wait for the facts to come out and reserve judgment until the actual trial. But I do think this is a slippery slope for putting an officer on trial for shooting an active shooter considering all the mass shootings we've had lately. And admittedly my first reaction to the news was "what was he supposed to do?"
With that being said, I'll respect the whatever decision the jury makes since they will be the ones who will be the closest to the facts or alleged facts from both the prosecution and defense.
BLACKWELL, Okla. (KTUL) — The streets of Blackwell were quiet this evening, but residents across town were not.
Residents were shocked about the news of police Lieutenant John Mitchell being indicted for second-degree murder for an incident that ended in the death of a woman.
Police say dispatch received a call about an active shooter who was going around town shooting at things, then at the officers. A lot of gunfire was exchanged, and the woman was killed following a pursuit.
Upwards of 60 shots were reported, which is why some say he was indicted, but supporters disagree.
"To me, you return fire until the threat is neutralized, and you don't know if it's going to be one or one hundred," said Sean Ingram, a Mitchell supporter.
For the law enforcement community, the indictment has sent a chilling shockwave of concern, summed up by the state president of the fraternal order of police.
"This would be the first time in American history that a police officer or anybody was charged with the crime of murder for shooting at an active shooter," said Jason Smith, president of the Oklahoma Fraternal Order of Police.
"Where do you draw that line? You're being shot at," one resident said.
It's a question for a jury, and sitting in the courtroom will be plenty of Mitchell supporters.
"He is the most honorable person I know, and I will back him all the way," said Ingram.
ktul.com/news/local/community-rallies-behind-blackwell-officer
Thoughts? The reason I'm posting about this case on its' own thread rather than in our thread about police controversies I'm the news is because it is somewhat interesting in that the Blackwell Police Department was featured on the very episode of In Pursuit, which saw the show's first direct capture after Luis Frias was caught in Mexico.
I don't think Lieutenant Mitchell was interviewed on the show about the manhunt for Frias and efforts to get justice for Jamett Reyna but anyone can correct me if I'm wrong.
Anyway police controversies have obviously been very prevalent in the news. And while most police officers are honest and honorable men who are hard-working and do their jobs with a lack of appreciation or better pay, there are bad cops out there, there are bad shootings or situations with minorities handled improperly and I'm not one of those people on social media who always defends cops (while usually yelling at liberals that it's their fault cops can't do their jobs properly) no matter what, but this case makes me uncomfortable as to how Lieutenant Mitchell was even indicted considering the woman was allegedly on a shooting spree.
I'll wait for the facts to come out and reserve judgment until the actual trial. But I do think this is a slippery slope for putting an officer on trial for shooting an active shooter considering all the mass shootings we've had lately. And admittedly my first reaction to the news was "what was he supposed to do?"
With that being said, I'll respect the whatever decision the jury makes since they will be the ones who will be the closest to the facts or alleged facts from both the prosecution and defense.