Story about Tucson police officer shooting "man in wheelchair" airing on NBC Nightly News left out very important facts (as usual).
Backstory: Man in wheelchair went into store and shoplifted a toolbox. Off-duty policeman tracked him while he wheeled his way across parking lot intending to enter second store. Policeman tried talking him into stopping at which point wheelchair man pulled knife on officer and continued entering store. Policeman shot wheelchair man fatally. Officer now being fired for "unreasonable force".
I am not arguing that officer did not use appropriate judgement (he could have called for backup) but here is who he was dealing with. It made print media but not NBC broadcast. NBC did make their last story about Christmas lights. Nice!
What was not said: Wheelchair man has long crime record including assault and two instances of shooting at police. Here is his official rap sheet:
Backstory: Man in wheelchair went into store and shoplifted a toolbox. Off-duty policeman tracked him while he wheeled his way across parking lot intending to enter second store. Policeman tried talking him into stopping at which point wheelchair man pulled knife on officer and continued entering store. Policeman shot wheelchair man fatally. Officer now being fired for "unreasonable force".
I am not arguing that officer did not use appropriate judgement (he could have called for backup) but here is who he was dealing with. It made print media but not NBC broadcast. NBC did make their last story about Christmas lights. Nice!
What was not said: Wheelchair man has long crime record including assault and two instances of shooting at police. Here is his official rap sheet: