Dallas officer shot a man in self defence

[CHL/LEO]

Do police even have the option of shooting to wound?

No - we're taught to shoot center mass if it's available - no intentional shooting at arms and legs just to wound them.

(there is case law syaing you cannot shoot someone just because you cannot handle him if ti is due to your poor physical condition).

If I recall correctly, I think this particular case law dealt with the fact that the officer fired first prior to even going "hands on" with the suspect and then attempted to articulate that he due to his poor physical condition he knew that he couldn't fight him so he just shot. I believe that if an officer was in poor physical condition and first attempted to physically control a suspect but couldn't, that he would be legally justified in using deadly force. I can't imagine a court saying to an LEO that because he allowed himself to get out of shape he thus waived the option of using a firearm to protect himself or the public.

[glockowner]

Note to the activist: If you punch a police officer in the face, expect to be shot!

[DoubleJ]

You are correct that the suspect must be fleeing with property for the CHL to be legally able to shoot him.

"Your honor, after I shot him the first time, he attempted to flee with my bullet..."

...and what with ammo prices these days...

[Mr.Scott]

Its ridiculous that the officer is even being questioned he acted in self defense after this man attacked him. This guy also had a history of criminal behavior which I assume the officer already being that he was arresting him. Do police even have the option of shooting to wound? Now we have some self proclaimed civil rights activist making this out to be a much bigger deal than it actually is.

You don't shoot to wound or kill. You shoot to stop the threat. death just happens to be the most sure way of stopping someone.

As far as the officers actions, if he was arresting the guy and knew he was on probation, as soon as the punches started flying he knew that this guy wasn't going to go back to jail.

I say good shot sir. One less piece of garbage on my streets.

[Nintao]

The opening line of the report is what started it for me... "A Dallas man and father of three"

How about a convicted felon who attacked a police ofice?

I agree! I hate how the media twists these kinds of things around! Just like when Horn shot the robbers... wasn't their familyy interviewed and they were all about how one was a father and husband and why did he have to kill him cry cry cry! He shouldn't have been up to criminal activity in the first place and he would not have gotten shot! So yes... How about that better News Headline!

[Rollin2008]

Of course, in this case you have the on-going attack against the police officer. What will make a difference for the officer is the relative sizes, whether the BG tried to get away or just attacked, what else the officer tried, and even the officer's physical condition (there is case law syaing you cannot shoot someone just because you cannot handle him if ti is due to your poor physical condition).

From the video i think he had some type of military training.

[russ]

I heard the chief may release dash cam video of this incident a couple of days ago, but have not seen anything yet.

[XDgal]

WFAA ch 8 showed some of the dash cam video on this evenings 6 pm newscast. They didn't show the shooting itself, but the footage leading up to it. The BG was backing the officer up by repeated blows to the officer's head. The top of the officer's head was even with the BG's shoulder, so the BG definitely was a lot bigger. Channel 8 also reported that the autopsy showed the BG was under the influence of PCP at the time of his death. The officer was quoted as saying he tried to reach his tazer, but couldn't get to it, so went to his gun instead. All things considered, IMHO, it looks like the officer was justified in his action.

[russ]

Found it
http://www.wfaa.com/video/index.html?nvid=287790

[Greybeard]

I was about to go to sleep when the video was on the 10:00 news last night, but I think it showed a little more than the link above ... In any event, when viewed by the Dallas grand jury, I don't think there should be any question about the significant disparity in size and "striking of head, neck, spine or throat".

[camjr]

Dallas Morning News has the video on its website, up to and including the shooting -- the officer was being beaten about the head and shoulders by a very large guy. The officer attempted to gain space, drew his sidearm, and fired point blank. The guy (autopsy determined presence of angel dust) simply turned around after being hit in the heart. The video stops before the BG dropped.

[Nintao]

I hate the whole Husband and Father of 3... if you were not up to criminal acts, you would not be in that scenario! The media always trys to make the Bad Guy seam "innocent" or not such a bad person! A kill shot?! Yeah he seams like an expert! The Criminal made the choice to attack a police officer, what the family should be concerned with is why he did so in the first place! I could rant all night!