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Wednesday, January 7, 2009 | 12:04pm
The ‘Most Unconscionable Police Shooting’ In History Caught on Tape
22 year old man shot in the back by an officer while being detained on his belly
In Oakland, California, a BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) police officer shot and killed a man after struggling to detain and arrest him. The incident which was caught on a bystander’s camera phone shows one officer place his knee on the struggling man’s neck. The other officer, identified as Johannes Mehserle clearly stands over 22-year-old Oscar Grant III as he lay face down, take out his weapon and fire a single shot into his back while his fellow officers looked on. (Video and news report is after the jump.)
According to the family’s civil rights attorney John Burris, the bullet went through Grant’s lower back and ricocheted off the ground and into his lungs, killing him.
On New Years Day at approximately 2 a.m., five officers responded to a fight on the train at the Fruitvale station. Grant and his friend, seen handcuffed and sitting in the video were alleged suspects in the fight.
His family, who erected a memorial outside the Fruitvale BART station Saturday nigh has announced their intentions to file a $25 million wrongful death lawsuit and is urging prosecutors to bring murder charges against the officer.
While we all make and keep our resolutions to loose weight, spend less, be nicer to our coworkers it seems the more things change, the more they stay the same. Yes we’re all hopeful that the Obama administration will bring about new changes in our currently inept society and economy, police brutality and corruption unfortunately remains a reality we ALL must face.
As Burris, says in the video this incident is “the most unconscionable shooting” he has ever seen. Who can disagree with him. Although we don’t know the circumstances of the arrest there should be no reason for an officer to shoot a suspect in the back while he’s being detained on the ground. This is not only disgusting but should serve as a wake up call that our justice system whether its here in New York, out in the Bay Area or the many places in between are in need of a serious overhaul. We can talk about bailout this and stimulus that but when our brothers and sisters keep dying needlessly in these streets its an indication that maybe we’ve got our priorities f*cked up. Keep the peace yall.
FILED IN Need to Know, News
utterly ridiculous
Wow thats worse than Sean Bell. That’s a straight up execution in public.
Basically, expect this one to pick up steam as other media outlets like Highbrid Nation give it burn.
WDF..this is crazy, them pigs are getting out of hand, really
Damn Cowards. What’s up with Southern Cali with this?! Do they breed cops that hate?! Hating Blacks and Mexicans must be on the psych test.
Before I make my comment, let me start by making one thing perfectly clear:
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I think the cop should be charged with murder, and I think the family should win their lawsuit.
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That being said, I think the video is not as entirely cut and dry as it appears. I think there is another explanation.
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In my opinion, it looks like the video shows the cop trying to “cover” the suspect with the weapon, and then the weapon accidently going off.
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I know, I know. Put down your pitchforks, I’m not “defending the man”; but consider a few things….
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As the video shows, the officer was having a hard time getting the weapon out of his holster. He finally got it out and it was in his hand BEFORE he finished standing up.
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Next… if the cop was shooting a Glock (like most do), the gun has a really annoying feature: instead of having a safety on the side as many do, the safety is actually in the trigger. This means that as soon as you put your finger on the trigger, the safety is off.
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Here is a close-up photograph of a Glock trigger safety:
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http://www.tea-and-medals.co.uk/images/glock18_triggersafety.jpg
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Next: it is not unheard of to accidently fire a Glock. I own a Glock, and I did that very thing about a month ago. I lifted the weapon to aim at the target, and I accidently put a round into the ceiling.
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There was a famous video of a woman cop accidently firing here weapon, the video is here:
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOI9ahGxMfk
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Finally: If you look at the cops reaction just after the shot went off, his hands went up in an “Oh my God, what have I just done” sort of pose.
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Like I said, I think the family should win the lawsuit, and I think the cop should be charged with murder. The fact remains that the victim was alive before the cops arrived and dead once he fell into their hands. But that being said, I do think that it was negligent homicide; I don’t think it was malicious homicide.
Great detailed insight that’s for adding to the discussion as always. Clearly this was a mistake. Everyone freezes following the shot however that doesn’t excuse the fact that the officer is at fault. Every time I get in my car and drive even if I hit someone I’m at fault but its still called a car ACCIDENT. I didn’t mean it. That doesn’t change the fact that I have to pay.
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That is what I think needs to be changed about the system. Just because you’re a peace officer doesn’t entitle you to rights above the constitution or the 10 commandments for that matter. You still are responsible for taking a life. I think the problem is there isn’t enough education that stresses to these young officers the severity of what may happen when you unsheathe your weapon…it may not just be a round in the ceiling.
Yes, well that’s the bottom line: no matter what the cause, the guy was alive before he was in the cops hands, and dead after.
Hey Malcolm,
I really think you are off base on this one. This is not a blooper reel from a TV show- it’s real life. I could care less about the quality of the video if I know the end result of what it recorded.
Look at Emmett Till. Nobody videotaped that, but it was still a supreme tragedy. So, let’s not be so quick to always play lawyer in the court of public opinion.
I respect your opinion, but you’re not helping the cause one bit.
this is crazy, al sharton should be on it soon this is crazy just like the sean bell shooting 50 shots i mean madness..
how was this even an accident juan?
Oh believe me I’m not justifying what he did but I can’t honestly say he was looking to “murder that nigga.” He gets no pass.
Police issued glock’s do not have the standard fire safety that you show in the picture. How do I know? I have one.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v481/ruthlessdet/glocktrigger.jpg
I saw the video on the news last night and I believe the officer after fighting to cuff the guy pulling his weapon in an attempt to COVER the individual (I don’t know why he did that..did the guy grab his gun??)He ass got spooked and like a dummy had his finger on the trigger and squeezed. Put your finger on a glock trigger and have someone frighten you and see what happens….This situation can go either way depending on the BART rules and the laws in cali. If you guys once again are thinking the cop will or should be charged with murder you should enlighten yourself by doing some brief reading in a penal law book (there is no intent!!!) Manslaughter would most likely be the charge and thats a far reach. I’m trying not to take sides with the officer in this case because IMO he was careless. But then again the video is terrible you can’t see what is really happening other than the guy resisting arrest.
Ruthlessnyc. I know you know cop law but you aren’t a judge, prosecutor and sure as hell aint no jury.
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Heads get put away for murder based on accidents all the time. Regardless of intent, his careless actions recklessly put his suspect in harms way and in this case cost him his life. He could be subject to a murder rap and have it reduced via plea. The reason why cops rarely if ever go to jail is because of the well-paid union LAWYERS and under-the-table deals conducted by crisis management teams looking to save face for civic government.
Actually, that’s the trigger safety I’m talking about.
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I don’t know if yours has an additional safety, but mine has the same trigger safety, which I don’t care for. Here’s a photo of mine:
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“http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VLNbQBSqCFI/SWYQnlgeA4I/AAAAAAAAA-M/6QsRmSj5GN4/s1600-h/Glock2.jpg”
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While we’re on the subject: I have an extended mag release on mine. Do you have one, and if so do you find that it catches on the holser?
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And, as long as we’re showing baby pictures, here’s a picture of my Bushmaster XM-15
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http://bp0.blogger.com/_VLNbQBSqCFI/R3wEK0U_VvI/AAAAAAAAALg/oG9OpjvrM0I/s1600-h/Rifle.JPG
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And my H&K USC:
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http://bp3.blogger.com/_VLNbQBSqCFI/R_KmYhXR2eI/AAAAAAAAAhU/rV13OejPUxU/s1600-h/DSC_0450.JPG
Damn my man! You got a mini arsenal out there in Detroit Malcolm? The revolution will be televised huh?
when i watch the video again the cop didnt need to use deadly force. Like i said i dont side with the cop in this one but I could put $$ up that he will not go to jail based on what posted above^^^ He will receive disiplinary action and may loose his job and have to deal with a multi-million dollar civil sue.
we as people need to be wholly and specifically aware of the law and NEW LAWS that spring up everyday. especially the ones dealing with law enforcement & citizens. ever heard it said, be on the look out for ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS?? just what does THAT mean anyway? thats just and minute example.. yall better pay attention. im no longer deaf, dumb & blind!
Still trying to figure out why he had to pull out the gun at all seeing that there were so many cops on the dude at one time.
http://webscript.princeton.edu/~psych/psychology/related/socneuconf/pdf/SeeingBlackJPSP2004.pdf
Try this… I am not on campus and do not have full access to all electronic journals but I posted one of SEVERAL research articles that discusses the fear of Black people that most Americans have. I wanted to post the data police departments collect themselves during trainings and simulations because they show that all cops regardless of race are more likely to shoot the UNARMED Black man. I don’t believe it was an accident but I do believe the police officer was afraid. Either way I am tired of the excuses for killing Black men.
its a messed up situation all the way around…if im not mistaken though in order to squeeze the trigger on a police glock doesnt it take 8 pounds of pressure? thats sounds more purposeful to me…tar, feather, and hang him as an example to other unlawful,gun ho,pull a pistol for no reason officers out there..they have to learn and this has to stop.PERIOD.
great point POP
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You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog.
Maybe you could edit the webpage subject title » The ‘Most Unconscionable Police Shooting’ In History Caught on Tape | Highbrid Nation | Because Knowledge is Power to more specific for your subject you make. I loved the post nevertheless.
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I admit I have not watched the video yet but doesn’t matter! This man was ON HIS stomach with his back turned to the officers! If he really was resisting arrest the officer could have tasered him, pepper sprayed him, or shot him in the leg! That clearly would have subdued him! I hope the officer is indited for murder and the family wins the lawsuit! Being cop does NOT give you a license to kill!