Trooper engages man, after man starts shooting

[CHLLady]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... ico=ushome" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;^editors_choice_six_of_the_best

Saw a bit of this on Foxnews this morning, but couldn't find it anywhere but the DM. The man was stopped by the trooper for speeding through a construction zone, when suddenly the guy gets out and has his hand behind his back in an aggressive stance. The man does not follow the trooper's orders, starts approaching the officer then starts shooting.

I knew something was wrong when the guy got out wearing the rag on his head, you can't wear them while in uniform in public. The officer shows excellent restraint, but sure jeopardized himself by letting him get too close. It's not clear at what point the officer draws, as he is not seen in the video. Also disturbing is the cousin's comments on the shooter. This guy was a reservist, not a Seal. I wonder at this man's mental health, possibly PTSD sufferer?

[EEllis]

I wonder at this man's mental health, possibly PTSD sufferer?

PTSD is an anxiety disorder. The symptoms of which occur only after a trauma and last for over a month. You get sleep disorders, nightmares, anxiety, nervousness, depression, and even flashbacks and hallucinations. What it does not cause is psychopathic or sociopathic behavior. It may increase the likelihood of certain traits coming out but doesn't cause them to occur. I only bring this up because the recurring refrain of people who don't really understand PTSD and seem to lump multiple disorders under on heading or even give reasons that we should be concerned about our returning troops because of PTSD issues. The result of this is to stigmatize not only veterans with PTSD, but all PTSD sufferers, as being potentially dangerous. In fact, not one single research study that I have seen links violent behavior with the diagnosis of PTSD. Now if we are talking wartime injuries then TBI (traumatic brain injury) or some pre existing condition that may have been aggravated by his service are much more likely as culprits.

[E.Marquez]

This guy was a reservist, not a Seal. I wonder at this man's mental health, possibly PTSD sufferer?

"former Army Reserve" at least from the media reports

"According to US Army records, Van Allen served in the army reserve from October 2009 through July 2012. He did his training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and in New Kensington, Pennsylvania and worked as a construction engineer. His highest rank was private first class."

"Court records show an extensive arrest record in the Pittsburgh area, mostly for traffic offenses, including speeding, running a red light and driving with a suspended license.
He pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in March 2011 after getting into a fight. He and his ex-wife, Amie Allen, lost their home in Pittsburgh to foreclosure in 2009, according to court documents.
In February, Allen tried to secure a restraining order against his ex-wife through Multnomah County Circuit Court; the petition was denied because he failed to establish a claim, court records show."

So guy is driving across country in full uniform and a dew-rag... ,, Id'd hazard a guess that that is an indicator (after the fact, not something the LEO could have known) of some issues.....

[baldeagle]

'He would have never shot at a police official or anyone of the law,' his cousin, Will Wright III, said. 'He would not have missed the kill shot either.'

And yet the video doesn't lie. He did shoot at the trooper, and he did miss the kill shot. Family members so often cannot admit the truth, even when it stares them in the face.

[johncanfield]

Wow, the trooper hit the perp in the chest and he still functioned for a while.

[texanjoker]

I had started to post this story yesterday but chose not to. I wanted to create a discussion showing the video in this post vs. a recent video in Austin, where they fired the officer for taking a shot. The video in this thread shows what happens when you wait to long.

This is the video from the Austin shooting. I am wondering if he will win an appeal as Acevedo is under heat for a recent shooting (not this one) by the usual people here in Liberal Austin.

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/poli ... ng-/nZ9N8/

[rbwhatever1]

You can take a thug out of the city but you will never take "the thug" out of "a thug". It's their nature and always will be.

[CHLLady]

I wonder at this man's mental health, possibly PTSD sufferer?

PTSD is an anxiety disorder. The symptoms of which occur only after a trauma and last for over a month. You get sleep disorders, nightmares, anxiety, nervousness, depression, and even flashbacks and hallucinations. What it does not cause is psychopathic or sociopathic behavior. It may increase the likelihood of certain traits coming out but doesn't cause them to occur. I only bring this up because the recurring refrain of people who don't really understand PTSD and seem to lump multiple disorders under on heading or even give reasons that we should be concerned about our returning troops because of PTSD issues. The result of this is to stigmatize not only veterans with PTSD, but all PTSD sufferers, as being potentially dangerous. In fact, not one single research study that I have seen links violent behavior with the diagnosis of PTSD. Now if we are talking wartime injuries then TBI (traumatic brain injury) or some pre existing condition that may have been aggravated by his service are much more likely as culprits.

Yes, I do understand what PTSD is, it is very close to me. I would never stigmatize anyone suffering from it. But the fact is all or some of those symptoms can cause stress. Stress and lack of sleep caused by the effects of PTSD can and do cause some to act in ways they would not normally, which can lead to relationship, social, and family issues. Unfortunately, it also leads to suicide if they can't get good help. They said it was what Chris Kyle's shooter was dealing with.

Emarquez, I did say, "was" as in past tense, but "former" expresses it better, if you want to quibble. He had been out of the service a good while. I know after hubby served his time, he was ready to take off his uniform.

[E.Marquez]

Emarquez, I did say, "was" as in past tense, but "former" expresses it better, if you want to quibble. He had been out of the service a good while. I know after hubby served his time, he was ready to take off his uniform.

No quibble... just clarifying comments

As to PTSD.... the Docs don't agree what it is, or what to categorize it as... .. So calling it this or that is just terms of convenience, nothing more.
There are many groups including some researchers and PHD's that refuse to call it by the stigma inducing word of "disorder"

[drjoker]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... f_the_best

Saw a bit of this on Foxnews this morning, but couldn't find it anywhere but the DM. The man was stopped by the trooper for speeding through a construction zone, when suddenly the guy gets out and has his hand behind his back in an aggressive stance. The man does not follow the trooper's orders, starts approaching the officer then starts shooting.

I knew something was wrong when the guy got out wearing the rag on his head, you can't wear them while in uniform in public. The officer shows excellent restraint, but sure jeopardized himself by letting him get too close. It's not clear at what point the officer draws, as he is not seen in the video. Also disturbing is the cousin's comments on the shooter. This guy was a reservist, not a Seal. I wonder at this man's mental health, possibly PTSD sufferer?

This other video from another thread has an interview with the perp's aunt at the end saying that he was just trying to take his kids on a road trip.
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10 ... icer#star7

She forgot to add that it was a road trip to go to the store to buy skittles and iced tea

[jmra]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... f_the_best

Saw a bit of this on Foxnews this morning, but couldn't find it anywhere but the DM. The man was stopped by the trooper for speeding through a construction zone, when suddenly the guy gets out and has his hand behind his back in an aggressive stance. The man does not follow the trooper's orders, starts approaching the officer then starts shooting.

I knew something was wrong when the guy got out wearing the rag on his head, you can't wear them while in uniform in public. The officer shows excellent restraint, but sure jeopardized himself by letting him get too close. It's not clear at what point the officer draws, as he is not seen in the video. Also disturbing is the cousin's comments on the shooter. This guy was a reservist, not a Seal. I wonder at this man's mental health, possibly PTSD sufferer?

This other video from another thread has an interview with the perp's aunt at the end saying that he was just trying to take his kids on a road trip.
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10 ... icer#star7

She forgot to add that it was a road trip to go to the store to buy skittles and iced tea

The aunts comments are beyond strange. Not even sure what she is trying to convey.

[Greybeard]

I noticed Allen started shooting with his LEFT hand, which is likely the cause of inadvertently hitting the magazine release in the midst of it all - and it may have saved the trooper's life. I think those last two shots heard off camera had to come from the trooper - because Allen's magazine was on the ground. And he reinserted it so quickly, I think he was probably right handed. And yep, Allen still quite agile, to be dead and just not know it yet.

[OldCannon]

An interesting analysis of the incident:

http://chrishernandezauthor.com/2013/10 ... -shooting/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Beiruty]

An interesting analysis of the incident:

http://chrishernandezauthor.com/2013/10 ... -shooting/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

After Allen took a military stand, and his right had was behind his back, the Cop should started shouting, "show me your hands, show me your hands" and immediately draw his pistol.

[Texsquatch]

'He would have never shot at a police official or anyone of the law,' his cousin, Will Wright III, said. 'He would not have missed the kill shot either.'

And yet the video doesn't lie. He did shoot at the trooper, and he did miss the kill shot. Family members so often cannot admit the truth, even when it stares them in the face.

I'm still trying to figure this comment out? Why say that at all? He got out of the car, ready to fight, that was obvious. And with his kids in the car, none the less. Now you have 3 kids who may grow up hating law enforcement because of having to witness their dead father sitting next to them. Which his cousin making that ignorant statement, I'm sure the kids aren't being told the truth. Good thing the trooper & his family that the trooper didn't miss the kill shot. I would even say he waited too long to engage, so the dead guys family can't say a trigger happy cop ruined their family.