You can often tell quite about people by their gut reactions. It’s their most honest moment, a snap before they’ve considered the nuances and the politics and potential blowback.
Today, police in St. Louis shot and killed a man who was wielding a knife at them. In most times this would be unlikely to become a national story, but with Ferguson’s unrest still very much in the news, it is.
The shooting happened around 1 p.m. Tuesday at McLaran and Riverview. Police say the suspect tried to rob the Six Star Market convenience store with a knife. Chief Sam Dotson said the store owner let the man leave the store. A St. Louis City Alderwomam witnessed the man walking erratically around and called police.
When officers arrived, the suspect refused to put down weapon despite multiple verbal command by police. Chief Sam Dotson says the man yelled at officers “shoot me now” several times. Witnesses also confirmed what the man said.
Dotson says the man continued to refuse the officer’s commands, approached within three to four feet of them with the knife in an attack posture.
Both officers opened fire on the suspect killing him. No officers were injured.
Knives are deadly weapons. It’s too soon to say for sure, but this case sounds like suicide by cop.
That isn’t slowing liberals down, though.
I mean dude. 1 guy with a knife. 2 cops with guns. And you *have* to shoot to kill? Maybe we need to teach these cops karate. #Ferguson
— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) August 19, 2014
After facing criticism, Maxwell played the race card.
Yo, white dudes. You ALL don't have to tweet at me that I'm dumb. 500 of ya'll have already said it. Go away.
— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) August 19, 2014
And then she deployed the “just joking” defense.”
It's not necessary for you to repeatedly call me stupid. If you think my tweet is stupid, ignore it. I was half joking to make a point.
— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) August 19, 2014
MSNBC’s Chris Hayes knows nothing about police tactics or training.
People here not disputing the knife, but all asking "why not shoot him in the leg?"
"I thought they were supposed to have training"
— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) August 19, 2014
But at least he learns. A little.
@chrislhayes people who say "shoot in leg" have never tried to shoot at anything. Most shots miss, regardless.
— Peter Moskos (@PeterMoskos) August 19, 2014
Important point from @PeterMoskos that shooting in the leg is totally impracticable.
— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) August 19, 2014
But it’s that gut reaction that says so much.
Liberals seem to forget that police officers have families, too.
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