Footage of two New York City police officers opening fire at a subway station as they confronted a man holding a knife shows they shot at him as he was standing still, his arms by his side and his back to a train.
In the days since Sunday’s shooting, police officials have repeatedly emphasized that the officers fired after Derell Mickles “charged” at one of them, and when their attempts to deescalate the situation and use Tasers had failed — leaving them with little choice but to resort to deadly force to protect themselves and passengers.
The footage, uploaded to the NYPD’s YouTube page Friday, offers a different view of the shooting that not only wounded Mickles but also a bystander, who was hit in the head with a stray bullet. Gregory Delpeche, 49, was sent to the hospital in critical condition, where doctors had to open up his skull to reduce brain swelling, according to his family.
I am enjoying the heavy peppering of “not defending the cops, but” every few sentences as you defend them, but overall these cops let adrenaline override good sense and what I expect is at least some training to shoot wildly at a train car full of people.
All to “stop” a man who was not actively working to injury them or others. Their lack of professionalism and reliance on dumping lead into a crowded train has left an innocent man now effectively dead.
No amount of “poor bystanders, but with emoji sad face” will make their actions okay. A hearty “thoughts and prayers” isn’t enough here.
Don’t believe we disagree