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[zoku88]

How many people are killed every day? Which stories get national/worldwide coverage? We live in a society where racism exists and it is an extremely emotional topic; do you really think the media won't use this to their benefit?

Assuming that the media thinks the public will care. Given how much the police gets away with systematic racial and religious discrimination, I'd bet on the not caring part.

 

[lexi]

So if a white teenager was believed to have been gunned down by police for stealing candy, you don't think it would receive a similar level of media coverage? My boy, in the span of the information going viral, the officers would already have lost their badges, new laws enacted to legalize minor candy theft, and a grand memorial dedicated to his memory would have been inked and stamped two days before.

The best thing about this post is that you're only slightly exaggerating. The statue would totally happen.

 

[charsace]

As long as this happens to minorities it won't change.

 

[Angelus Errare]

Dude whats up with cops lately? Can't seem to stay out of the news for killing people. It's fuckin horrible.

Not lately, cops have been doing this to black people since the 60s (and before). Now it's just everyone has a cellphone and can record this stuff.

 

[quik killa]

So if a white teenager was believed to have been gunned down by police for stealing candy, you don't think it would receive the same level of media coverage? My boy, in the span of the information going viral, the officers would already have lost their badges, new laws enacted to legalize minor candy theft, and a statue of that kid would been cemented in the town's square.

Lets not exaggerate. A cop is not going to lose their badge that quickly in any situation like this regardless of race; they get certain protections from the police unions and what not.

To your main point: If this person was shot just for stealing candy, I think it would get the same coverage whether they were white or black. However, my question to you would be, if the teenager was white and the cop was black, would the media emphasize race as much (not that they even have in this situation so far; I was mainly going off of some of the responses here)?

 

[sprsk]

As long as this happens to minorities it won't change.

Exactly.

If you think this "happens to white people too!" You out your damn mind.

 

[DiscoJer]

So if a white teenager was believed to have been gunned down by police for stealing candy, you don't think it would receive a similar level of media coverage? My boy, in the span of the information going viral, the officers would already have lost their badges, new laws enacted to legalize minor candy theft, and a grand memorial dedicated to his memory would have been inked and stamped two days prior.

Earlier in the year there was a white kid killed in his own home by the police just because he had a Wii controller when he answered the door.

No charges against the cop who killed him, despite a very troubling past history.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/07/...atal-shooting-of-teen-holding-wii-controller/

The truth is, cops can kill anyone and pretty much get away with it. There are a few cases where they get prosecuted, but it's very, very rare.

 

[Seesaw15]

I hate how whenever something like this happens it always turns into a conversation about semantics/technicalities and the larger issue gets pushed aside. Of course the cops didn't just do a drive by and kill this poor boy (hopefully). I'm sure they had some tenuous reason for stopping him( maybe he was jay walking, maybe he fit a profile). The issue is that as black people we are not given the benefit of the doubt. If our tone/posture/attitude is seen as even slightly aggressive or disrespectful towards an officer than we become a threat much quicker than some one of a different race in the same situation.

And while I appreciate the people in this thread treating this death as an isolated issue set in a post racial society, I feel like treating it as such and not addressing the mountains of related cases/historical context behind it is kind of counter productive. (getting off my soap box now)



R.I.P Young man. Far too young.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

Scary as fuck...

 

[Foxy Fox 39]

Again. Anything any wrongdoing a black person does is seen as 100 times worse than it actually is.

 

[Two Words]

There had to have been something. Cops don't just roll up on people, blow some holes in them, and roll out.

I'm not saying he did something that was necessarily worthy of being shot, but he had to have done something during the encounter to trigger lethal force

I understand where you are coming from, but it's not a good way of seeking the truth. Don't assume that the kid had to have done something. Instead just put the onus on the cops to prove what happened.

 

[TheJLC]

Just so people outside the US know, police can use deadly force on unarmed people. People often assume that an officer can only use deadly force on someone that is armed, but that couldn't' be further from the truth. In the US, an officer can defend his or her life with deadly force against any attacker, IF the officer is in fear of his or her life or fear of grave injury. For example, if some person tries to reach for the officer's weapon, the attacker can overpower the officer in a fight, or for endless number of reasons. An officer has to prove that any reasonable person in his or her place would be at risk of losing their life or suffering severe injury.

Anyways, I'm not understanding what happened here. I just don't believe an officer rolled up and killed a kid for no reason. If he did, the officer not only needs to get fired but given the max in jail. I hope the Sheriff taking over the case from the Police can find out what happened.

 

[boiled goose]

Is it just me or are you guys just looking to broadcast the line on your bumper sticker without any idea what actually happened here? I can't find a single article that discusses why shots were fired, so how the fuck could you already know that it was unjustified, that it's time for revolution, or whatever?

Kid was unarmed. Shooting him dead is almost certainly unjustified.

 

[Frank Lemon]

"Eyewitness, Piaget Crenshaw, 19, was waiting for a ride to work when she said she saw the police officer attempting to place Brown in the rear seat of a squad car.
She then observed the teen, hands in the air, attempt to flee. Several shots were fired at Brown as he ran, Crenshaw said, striking him in the head and chest.

Crenshaw said police asked and she complied with a request that she turn photos of the scene over to authorities."

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/fatal-shooting-by-ferguson-police-prompts-mob-reaction/article_04e3885b-4131-5e49-b784-33cd3acbe7f1.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

If this account is true the cop must have already searched this kid and known he had no fucking weapon, right? So he starts to run and he gets shot in the back?!? My word.

 

[Camp Lo]

"Eyewitness, Piaget Crenshaw, 19, was waiting for a ride to work when she said she saw the police officer attempting to place Brown in the rear seat of a squad car.
She then observed the teen, hands in the air, attempt to flee. Several shots were fired at Brown as he ran, Crenshaw said, striking him in the head and chest.

Crenshaw said police asked and she complied with a request that she turn photos of the scene over to authorities."

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/fatal-shooting-by-ferguson-police-prompts-mob-reaction/article_04e3885b-4131-5e49-b784-33cd3acbe7f1.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

If this account is true the cop must have already searched this kid and known he had no fucking weapon, right? So he starts to run and he gets shot in the back?!? My word.

I heard that he got shot in the back while running away from the cop, yeah.

 

[Drensch]

Should I read more of the thread or is it just more rushes to judgment?

 

[Frank Lemon]

Also, I'm sure the cell phone pictures the cops confiscated from the witness are safe and sound!

 

[Mr. Patch]

"Eyewitness, Piaget Crenshaw, 19, was waiting for a ride to work when she said she saw the police officer attempting to place Brown in the rear seat of a squad car.
She then observed the teen, hands in the air, attempt to flee. Several shots were fired at Brown as he ran, Crenshaw said, striking him in the head and chest.

Crenshaw said police asked and she complied with a request that she turn photos of the scene over to authorities."

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/fatal-shooting-by-ferguson-police-prompts-mob-reaction/article_04e3885b-4131-5e49-b784-33cd3acbe7f1.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

If this account is true the cop must have already searched this kid and known he had no fucking weapon, right? So he starts to run and he gets shot in the back?!? My word.

I hope she remembers to make copies of anything she turns over.

 

[kirblar]

Isn't "DONT SHOOT AT UNARMED PEOPLE RUNNING AWAY FROM YOU" something they teach on the first day of weapons handling?

 

[genjiZERO]

Police need to be mandated to wear google glass or something so we can figure out WTF they are doing in situations like this.

I completely agree. Every police interaction should be recorded for public inspection.

 

[BPoole]

No, not really. Have you even read the thread? Cops murder people without provocation all the time. Someone even posted a video:

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=530_1395692524

Umm, that guy brandished a knife at officers, and he had another knife on him. Plus we don't know what was going on prior to the film starting.

 

[BPoole]

I understand where you are coming from, but it's not a good way of seeking the truth. Don't assume that the kid had to have done something. Instead just put the onus on the cops to prove what happened.

I don't want to put the onus on anyone until there are more details out. People are just quick to shit on police and I don't think that's fair. There are certainly some shitty cops who have done shitty things, but always assuming they're in the wrong when all the details aren't even out is not fair to them.

 

[McLovin]

I like how an under aged teenager is being portrayed as a man by the media.

 

[block tower]

It's amazing, and look at how Congress doesn't want to work with him at ALL. Ever.

while im not quick to say everyone who opposes the pres is racist (that would be disingenuous and untrue), there does seem to be this very real opposition to him and anything he does because he is part balck. i mean there were people proposing he be impeached for being from "Kenya". so in regards to our legal system and the people we gice badges to, there seems to be this complete disregard for life as if black people either stay crime free or as soon as some law is broken they can be executed without question. im sorry but ill call anyone a liar if they actually think a white teen would be gunned down for half the shit black people are gun down for. im not apologizing for this teen shoplifting, it was stupid and shows his character, but that is no excuse to kill someone. ive seen how many stories of white kids over the years shooting or stabbing up schools, yet these white kids, if they dont kill themselves, seem to always get arrested and make it safe to trial. funny how that works.

 

[Cheddahz]

seriously, fuck the police

 

[Two Words]

I don't want to put the onus on anyone until there are more details out. People are just quick to shit on police and I don't think that's fair. There are certainly some shitty cops who have done shitty things, but always assuming they're in the wrong when all the details aren't even out is not fair to them.

The onus should always be on police since they are given authority over citizens.

 

[CountBlack]

fuck the police? fuck the police.

 

[BFIB]

Ugh. Stories like this always hit close to home with me.

I had an uncle that lost his life, in East St. Louis of all places, by an armed security guard who shot my uncle at point blank range without any provocation.

I never met him, and always feel sad for those families who lost loved ones due to the same circumstances.

Just horrible.

 

[Air Zombie Meat]

"Eyewitness, Piaget Crenshaw, 19, was waiting for a ride to work when she said she saw the police officer attempting to place Brown in the rear seat of a squad car.
She then observed the teen, hands in the air, attempt to flee. Several shots were fired at Brown as he ran, Crenshaw said, striking him in the head and chest.

Crenshaw said police asked and she complied with a request that she turn photos of the scene over to authorities."

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/fatal-shooting-by-ferguson-police-prompts-mob-reaction/article_04e3885b-4131-5e49-b784-33cd3acbe7f1.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

If this account is true the cop must have already searched this kid and known he had no fucking weapon, right? So he starts to run and he gets shot in the back?!? My word.

Sadly that'll be enough justification for some. "Don't want to get shot, don't run from the police!"

 

[MagnaderAlpha]

and people wonder why and act offended when communities put up shrines for people that have killed cops

Thing is, not all cops are bad.

That being said, the ones that ARE, I believe, deserve the same amount of hate as the violent criminals that prey on the street. They ALL need to be rounded up, every violent thug, serial murderer, crooked cop(including those military nuts that like killing a little TOO much), abusive husband, led into a giant hole in the desert and gunned down, ridding this world of the that stain they've smeared on humanity. And to me, don't matter if you're white, black, rich, poor, you fit the bill, you're shipping out to the next world. I, for one, would not weep. Seriously, sometimes some people deserve it, especially putting us, the good people of the world(who work hard for what we got and to provide for our families) have to deal with gangs on one side and crooked ass cops on the other. We're the middle. If both those sides were gone, who fuckin' sweet that would be!

Litereally, something similar happened hear in Los Angeles recently. Instead of a teenager, it was an innocent older man in his 50s. And this is what I mean regarding getting caught between both extremes. Homeboy gangbanger was causing trouble, and went into a family's house, holding them hostage. Cops were outside ready to shot him up. What happened was some of the family members escaped, one being the father, who the COPS CONFUSED HIM FOR BEING THE TWENTY-SOMETHING YEAR OLD GANG MEMBER, and shot him dead. Fuck! I think I heard the cop was on leave with pay as well. I think the gang member ended up getting shot, eventually(or something, damn). Good people get caught between shitty ones.

 

[Cheddahz]

Thing is, not all cops are bad.

That being said, the ones that ARE, I believe, deserve the same amount of hate as the violent criminals that prey on the street. They ALL need to be rounded up, every violent thug, serial murderer, crooked cop(including those military nuts that like killing a little TOO much), abusive husband, led into a giant hole in the desert and gunned down, ridding this world of the that stain they've smeared on humanity. And to me, don't matter if you're white, black, rich, poor, you fit the bill, you're shipping out to the next world. I, for one, would not weep. Seriously, sometimes some people deserve it, especially putting us, the good people of the world(who work hard for what we got and to provide for our families) have to deal with gangs on one side and crooked ass cops on the other. We're the middle. If both those sides were gone, who fuckin' sweet that would be!

uhhhh........

 

[Toxi]

Thing is, not all cops are bad.

That being said, the ones that ARE, I believe, deserve the same amount of hate as the violent criminals that prey on the street. They ALL need to be rounded up, every violent thug, serial murderer, crooked cop(including those military nuts that like killing a little TOO much), abusive husband, led into a giant hole in the desert and gunned down, ridding this world of the that stain they've smeared on humanity. And to me, don't matter if you're white, black, rich, poor, you fit the bill, you're shipping out to the next world. I, for one, would not weep. Seriously, sometimes some people deserve it, especially putting us, the good people of the world(who work hard for what we got and to provide for our families) have to deal with gangs on one side and crooked ass cops on the other. We're the middle. If both those sides were gone, who fuckin' sweet that would be!

What the hell?

 

[bomma_man]

It'd be pretty easy to see if a cop intentionally destroyed it, at which point you fire them and assume the worst in the investigation.

And you could any evidence gained improperly inadmissable in court.

 

[TheSeks]

Police need to be mandated to wear google glass or something so we can figure out WTF they are doing in situations like this.

You think the cops are going to wear that?

ELLLLLLLLLLLL-OHHHHHHH-ELLLLLLLLLLLLLLL. They'll find ways to circumvent it if they can.

 

[DrForester]

Cliff notes version of what is thought to have happened?

OP link makes it sound like two incidents. One the cops were responding to, and the kid was hit with a bullet (mentions a courtyard of a apartment, but the kid was shot in the street).

 

[YesNOnoNOYes]

Thing is, not all cops are bad.

That being said, the ones that ARE, I believe, deserve the same amount of hate as the violent criminals that prey on the street. They ALL need to be rounded up, every violent thug, serial murderer, crooked cop(including those military nuts that like killing a little TOO much), abusive husband, led into a giant hole in the desert and gunned down, ridding this world of the that stain they've smeared on humanity. And to me, don't matter if you're white, black, rich, poor, you fit the bill, you're shipping out to the next world. I, for one, would not weep. Seriously, sometimes some people deserve it, especially putting us, the good people of the world(who work hard for what we got and to provide for our families) have to deal with gangs on one side and crooked ass cops on the other. We're the middle. If both those sides were gone, who fuckin' sweet that would be!

Litereally, something similar happened hear in Los Angeles recently. Instead of a teenager, it was an innocent older man in his 50s. And this is what I mean regarding getting caught between both extremes. Homeboy gangbanger was causing trouble, and went into a family's house, holding them hostage. Cops were outside ready to shot him up. What happened was some of the family members escaped, one being the father, who the COPS CONFUSED HIM FOR BEING THE TWENTY-SOMETHING YEAR OLD GANG MEMBER, and shot him dead. Fuck! I think I heard the cop was on leave with pay as well. I think the gang member ended up getting shot, eventually(or something, damn). Good people get caught between shitty ones.

..... wut

 

[user8503492]

I think cops can shoot you if you run if your apprehended for a some crimes.

If it was a rapist, murderer, violent crime offender...and they run..even if unarmed..police can shoot them. Once you commit one of the "big" crimes they kind of get the green light to kill you if you try to flee.

 

[mre]

What a truly horrific experience for that family. Damn.

Thing is, not all cops are bad.

That being said, the ones that ARE, I believe, deserve the same amount of hate as the violent criminals that prey on the street. They ALL need to be rounded up, every violent thug, serial murderer, crooked cop(including those military nuts that like killing a little TOO much), abusive husband, led into a giant hole in the desert and gunned down, ridding this world of the that stain they've smeared on humanity. And to me, don't matter if you're white, black, rich, poor, you fit the bill, you're shipping out to the next world. I, for one, would not weep. Seriously, sometimes some people deserve it, especially putting us, the good people of the world(who work hard for what we got and to provide for our families) have to deal with gangs on one side and crooked ass cops on the other. We're the middle. If both those sides were gone, who fuckin' sweet that would be!

I'm not going to say that you're someone who "like killing a little TOO much," but that's one hell of a blood thirsty plan you have there, and I'm having a problem reconciling the notion of the person who would come up with such a plan as being one of the "good people of the world."

I mean... Jesus Christ.

 

[ohlawd]

lmao, good people of the world but wants to commit mass murder. fuck off.

on topic, this makes no sense. It gives me chills to hear people getting shot with their back turned toward you. what the hell are they gonna do? pull a fast one on you despite verifying their unarmed by yours truly? lady, jesus....

 

[HOMEBOY OVER HERE]

https://vine.co/v/MVTjXW5tXwa

people gathering on the streets where this occurred.

 

[Frank Lemon]

I think cops can shoot you if you run if your apprehended for a some crimes.

If it was a rapist, murderer, violent crime offender...and they run..even if unarmed..police can shoot them. Once you commit one of the "big" crimes they kind of get the green light to kill you if you try to flee.

Where does lifting a candy bar from a convenience store fall on this scale?

 

[Kitschkraft]

Needs to be emphasized :

I fucking hate this country.

 

[Elfforkusu]

Also, I'm sure the cell phone pictures the cops confiscated from the witness are safe and sound!

.

Good lord. So not just murder, but conspiracy to conceal evidence.

 

[pxleyes]

Chief of police on the radio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZptTemPz39w&feature=youtu.be

 

[BladeoftheImmortal]

Police need to be mandated to wear google glass or something so we can figure out WTF they are doing in situations like this.

Actually, that's a great idea.

 

[Big Baybee]

I think the tipping point is coming.

 

[kame-sennin]

Where does lifting a candy bar from a convenience fall on this scale?

The scale is weighted based on skin color.

 

[MechaX]

Plenty of the story is missing. All we have is Police.Black Boy.Dead.

'Truth' should be available to us Monday. I'd hope.

I actually live like 15 minutes away from the apartment complex in question and a shit ton of FB friends posted their own videos, let alone knowing people who lived in said complex.

So far, they were all saying the same thing: he ran, might have reached into his pocket while running, and police opened fire. We'll see what more they have to disclose.

 

[eot]

If he was shot in the back I don't see how the officer could get away with it.

 

[Slackbladder]

If he was shot in the back I don't see how the officer could get away with it.

This guy was shot in the back...and on camera. If the Police can get away with it they will. Nothing you can do about it.

You really want to? Note the link is the cops peppering a homeless dude into swiss cheese.