That's one fleet-footed officer of the law. Maybe that's the problem with the others who shoot fleeing suspects in the back, they eat too many donuts. Not this guy though. He ran the street dealer down and tackled him. Does that sound credible to you?An 18-year-old man fleeing police was fatally shot with his own gun when police tackled him in North Philadelphia early Friday, authorities said.
Khalil Burton, whose last known address was the 500 block of McKinley Street in the Crescentville section, died at Temple University Hospital about 5 a.m.
Just after midnight, police responded to a call about a person with a gun at 13th and Cambria Streets. They saw Burton nearby, police said.
Burton fled and the officers gave chase, tackling him on the 2900 block of North Broad Street, police said. When Burton fell, his gun went off, wounding him in the groin.
Other than that, taking the story as reported (I hate to add too much of my own), I'd say this Philadelphia cop is to be commended. Too bad for the suspect who has no more chance of turning his life around, admittedly there may not have been much chance before, but sudden death is always a tragic waste.
What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
"Too bad for the suspect who has no more chance of turning his life around, admittedly there may not have been much chance before, but sudden death is always a tragic waste."
ReplyDeleteConsidering Philly has an 86% recidivism rate, I highly doubt the suspect would have turned his life around. If anything, his self-dispatching was a net benefit to society. That's one free jail cell that can be used to house another criminal.
i feel like you or no one else should judge anyone u don't no the story we just know what they say which could be bs.. he could have change u never know but now we will never know because of a angry cop. This youngman can't do nothin no more he can't smile laugh or say hi to his mother & all you guys doin is judgin him u don't know his life story. Life is too short & this is just an example young people should let this. Be an eye opener life is to short get on the right track and do what you supposed/need to do if not for yaself for someone important or close to you make them happy show that u can do the right thing
ReplyDeleteActually most cops are in better shape than most street thugs. Cops run and lift as a matter of survival. Most street hoods are already smoking, eating junk and living a life devoid of exercise.
ReplyDeletePlease notice unstated factoid. This hood was not using a holster. Permit holders use a holster. Guns very rarely if ever go off when in a holster.
If the gun was in his waist and the bullet hit his groin/ upper thigh area, we are very glad that the tackling officer did not get shot. It also shows a reason officers like to Tase or shot these suspects. Tackling a guy with a gun in his pants or needles or a knife etc often leads to bad results.
Anonymous - you wrote, in a less than literate fashion "i feel like you or no one else should judge anyone u don't no the story we just know what they say which could be bs.. he could have change u never know but now we will never know because of a angry cop."
ReplyDeleteThis 18 year old made a choice with consequences when he was carrying a gun. He made another choice with consequences in fleeing police instead of cooperating with them.
While it would be lovely if this man had turned his life around, there is nothing evident that was his intention or interest. Nor is there any evidence that the reason for his death is - to use your words - 'an angry cop', but rather that he was a risk to others in the community.
I am saddened that this man died; it was an avoidable, preventable loss. But the person who appears, on the basis of the information available, to be in the wrong is this 18 year old man, not the police.
Weapons are dangerous. In the choice to carry a weapon in these circumstances is the implicit intent to use it, with a good chance that use will cause harm to someone. In this case, that someone ended up being himself.
Be honest - blame him before you blame anyone else.
I agree with you dog-gone. The whole blame for this incident can be placed at the feet of the criminal.
ReplyDeleteDog Gone is right of course, but I don't think we can say "the whole blame" as Jim did. There are too many factors involved in a death like this, societal and cultural things.
ReplyDeleteP says "most cops are in better shape than most street thugs."
I find that laughable. For one thing the average age of "most cops" is a lot higher than that of "most street criminals." And although some cops lift wieghts and stay in shape, running down a suspect and tackling him is not something "most cops" can do.
The cop is just doing his job so there is nothing wrong here. The gun went off accidentally so the teen was just unlucky. He shouldn't have been carrying a gun in the first place. If you carry a gun, you should be ready to shoot or be shot, or in cases like this, shoot at yourself in the groin.
ReplyDeleteThanks plentyoffish. Appreciate the comment.
ReplyDelete