Cops Kill Mentally Ill Man in St Louis

[Hortical]

Cell Phone Video Emerges That Refutes St. Louis Cops Version of Shooting

[watch video, killing at 1:40]


St. Louis- On Tuesday, while tensions continued to simmer in Ferguson, just a few miles away 25-year-old Kajieme Powell was gunned down by St. Louis cops.


Officers claimed that they were in fear of their lives as Powell charged at them with a knife. They claim he had the knife in an “overhand grip” and came within three feet of the officers, at which time they opened fire, killing Powell.


The incident stemmed from a call by a Six Star Market owner after Powell allegedly stole two energy drinks, according to KSDK.
Reports from witnesses claim that Powell was acting erratically, pacing back and forth on the street and talking to himself, while carrying a knife.
St. Louis Metro Police Chief Sam Dotson responding to a question of whether the shooting was justified said his officers “have a right to go home at night” going on to say that all officers have a right to defend themselves.


He went on to defend his officers actions saying that they used deadly force due to the suspect with a knife coming within three of four feet of the officers, which would be considered within lethal range.



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[Peter R]

SMH

[Islandman]

This is the video. The shooting is at about 1:30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-P5...ctr=1408801508

They were obviously lying about the overhand grip but I don't know how much to criticise the officers for this ...a mad man with a knife coming at you and shouting "shoot me mother f**er" is dangerous. They are trained to use deadly force in that situation. If tasing was an option they should have used that but I don't know if it was.

[Hortical]

Cops need to assess a situation before using deadly force, especially when it comes to mentally ill people. Trigger happy thugs with badges.

[Peter R]

The chief of police said that tasing might not have worked because he was wearing a jacket and the taser has to hit exposed skin to be most effective... but i's nine shot!!! nine!! dem light him up wid... overkill (no pun intended) IMO... there did not seem to be any restraint or patience on the part of the officers; nothing wrong if dem did retreat behind dem vehicle and tell de man fi drop whatever he had in his hand. It isn't at all clear from that video whether he was carrying a weapon or not?!

[Peter R]

The also said there was nothing in his history that indicated mental problems.

[Hortical]

There might not be anything in his history in regard to mental issues, but he was clearly acting erratic. He allegedly stole two cans and left them on the sidewalk, clearly a case of mental illness. Cops first response is to clear their own without all the facts in place.

[Peter R]

Of course...have to justify their actions however rash or hasty!