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Suspected BG Shot Dead on His Front Porch
smokinggun
Member Posts: 590 ✭✭✭✭
This happened in Richmond last friday, Im not up to 100% on exact details but I will do my best:
I think this man was wanted for a series of armed roberies. Nine Police Officers approached him on his own front porch with thier weapons drawn on him. One of the Officers went in the house to check it out. They ordered him to remove his hands from his pockets and when he did not remove his hands one of the Officers shot him in the chest and he died. The man was not armed but was suspected to have been armed. The Officer thought his life was in danger and fired his weapon to protect him and his fellow Officers.
I know it is hard to guess what and how it really went down but I try to look at it from as many views as possible. I feel that it is possible that they could have had the wrong guy and he got scared and froze and the next thing you know there is an innocent man dead.
It could also be possible that he could have had a pistol in a jacket pocket pointed at them.
On one hand I think "innocent til proven guilty", a man is shot for not removing his hands from his pockets. On the other hand I say great, there is another bad guy dead and gone. If he had robbed me at gunpoint and I had half a chance I would definetly blow him away in fear of my life.
The local radio talk show host talked about this on the air and was all for it. He said how dare anyone question the Officers actions. Most people that called in agredd with him. A few did not.
This is not a Cop bashing and please don't anyone on hear do any of that on this thread. I have the upmost respect for all Police Officers, especially those that are pro-gun here on Gunbroker.
BNRVA@aol.com
I think this man was wanted for a series of armed roberies. Nine Police Officers approached him on his own front porch with thier weapons drawn on him. One of the Officers went in the house to check it out. They ordered him to remove his hands from his pockets and when he did not remove his hands one of the Officers shot him in the chest and he died. The man was not armed but was suspected to have been armed. The Officer thought his life was in danger and fired his weapon to protect him and his fellow Officers.
I know it is hard to guess what and how it really went down but I try to look at it from as many views as possible. I feel that it is possible that they could have had the wrong guy and he got scared and froze and the next thing you know there is an innocent man dead.
It could also be possible that he could have had a pistol in a jacket pocket pointed at them.
On one hand I think "innocent til proven guilty", a man is shot for not removing his hands from his pockets. On the other hand I say great, there is another bad guy dead and gone. If he had robbed me at gunpoint and I had half a chance I would definetly blow him away in fear of my life.
The local radio talk show host talked about this on the air and was all for it. He said how dare anyone question the Officers actions. Most people that called in agredd with him. A few did not.
This is not a Cop bashing and please don't anyone on hear do any of that on this thread. I have the upmost respect for all Police Officers, especially those that are pro-gun here on Gunbroker.
BNRVA@aol.com
Comments
When Clinton left office they gave him a 21 gun salute. Its a damn shame they all missed....
I know if someone knocked my door down and began yelling all at one time, it would be hard to know who they are and what their intent is at that few seconds of confusion. The police need to know that the occupant is being put in a very tense moment, and without thought will use survival instincs to protect his/her property and life. It's a two way street- both sides don't want to be killed! These things don't have to happen. Why couldn't they stake the guy out and wait till he's in the open, then rush in?
Too many mistakes and accidental deaths on both sides.
I thank all the police officers who put their lives on the line and while we sleep are doing their best to protect property/lives ect..
The officers do what they are taught, but some of this is too overboard. I've never been in a sittuation of confrontation (thank goodness) so I'm talking from my own thoughts.
It's like a doctor once told me-"we can't make mistakes" But oh yes you do! seylavee!
IF YOU DON'T LIKE MY RIGHTS - GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY (this includes politicians)
Police officer indicted
City detective faces charge in slaying
BY MARK HOLMBERG
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Jun 05, 2002
Detective David Melvin
For the first time in recent history, a Richmond police officer will stand trial for killing a suspect in the line of duty.
Detective David Melvin has been indicted on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the May 17 shooting of Verlon M. Johnson, who was unarmed.
"We appreciate that the police have a sensitive job to do," Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney David M. Hicks said yesterday. "Our job is to make sure justice is done. Everyone is under the same standard."
Melvin allegedly fired one shot into the chest of Johnson, an alleged robbery suspect, while Melvin and eight other officers were trying to arrest him for firearm violations. Johnson was inside brushing his teeth when police arrived at the front door of his South Richmond home that night, according to reports.
Johnson died shirtless, with a toothbrush apparently still in his mouth, on his front porch while his wife and children listened inside.
His family, some of them in tears, listened to the surprise announcement yesterday outside of the John Marshall Courts building.
"I'm not enjoying anybody's calamity," said V. Johnson, Verlon Johnson's father. "I just want justice served."
The involuntary manslaughter charge indicates Melvin shot accidentally, "contrary to [his] intentions," Hicks said.
If Melvin indeed fired accidentally, that would contradict statements made by police officials after the 10:40 p.m. shooting outside of 3424 Deerwood Road.
Johnson initially came out of his house with his hands up, then thrust them into his pockets as if going for a gun, police officials said.
"Detective Melvin challenged Johnson several times to raise his hands," according to the official police version. "When he didn't comply with the officer's instructions, Detective Melvin, believing the suspect was armed, fired one shot from his service weapon."
Lawyer Steve Benjamin, who is representing the Johnson family's interests in the trial and an expected civil suit, lashed out at police officials for the spin they put on the case.
"Everything the police department has done to avoid accepting responsibility has hurt the family," Benjamin said. "They've treated the entire affair as nothing more than a public relations problem."
Police officials are standing firmly by Melvin.
"Normally, the Richmond Police Department does not comment on the outcome of a grand jury proceeding," said acting police chief Teresa * in a prepared statement. "But in this instance we are compelled to make a statement. . . . Every day we ask Richmond police officers to respond to the most troubling, complex and dangerous situations in our city. Every day these officers are placed in harm's way. Such was the case with Detective Melvin on the night in question.
"The Richmond Police Department supports Detective Melvin now and will continue to support him during this investigation."
Melvin, who has been on administrative leave since the shooting, appeared before Circuit Judge Walter W. Stout III. He was released on his own recognizance pending a preliminary court hearing July 1. It was unclear last night whether he would remain on paid leave.
Johnson was the fourth person shot and killed by Richmond police since last June. The other three were armed.
King Salim Khalfani, executive director of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP, believes the police department used a "blue wall of silence" and a "smokescreen" after the Johnson shooting, and previous ones.
He said that's why a citizen's review panel is necessary to watch over the police.
With the NAACP's backing, City Councilman Sa'ad El-Amin has proposed that the council appoint a five-member Citizen Police Review Board.
The panel would consist of city residents and investigate complaints about the police. As part of its investigations, the board would be able to interview witnesses and hold closed-door meetings
The council is scheduled to vote on the matter Monday. Councilman G. Manoli Loupassi opposes the measure, saying it would politicize the police department and damage its morale. He noted that the department has an internal affairs division that investigates complaints about officers.
BNRVA@aol.com
www.vcdl.org
Edited by - smokinggun on 06/05/2002 17:10:46
How is this all justified? LEOs wonder why some of us get scared around them, this is why. A cop with an itchy trigger finger may ruin your day and not end up in prison, but if I protect myself or family it's time to make friends with bubba. God forbid I ever protect myself from a cop who mistook me for someone else and drew on me and scared the bejesus out of me. I feel if a cop comes to my home and makes a mistake, he is fair game just like a burglar. Also if a cop shoots his gun he should be held to the same laws a civilian is.
Now I know sometimes prior knowledge of a known suspect warrants certain actions but does that mean that they treat everybody like a target?
As far as not listening to the cops, I had a deal with a Customs officer in Detroit MI at the Embassador(sp?) bridge. In 1993 I crossed back into the USA at that bridge, it was the first time for me to do this and I was nervous. I had also been given bad info by my dispatcher at Perfetti Trucking and did not have the proper paperwork. When I got to the booth the Customs guy got an attitude real fast, I had long hair and my Tattoos was showing. He told me to pull off to the side, walked up to my truck and drew his gun on me, ordered me out of the truck and drilled me with a million questions and had the gun on me the whole time. Needless to say I needed fresh underwear and I forgot my name. While he was yelling at me it got worse, the more he yelled the more I got into major tunnel vision and loss of hearing. All I could see was the gun and did not hear half of what he was saying. I was scared! Now, if I twitched the wrong way and did not respond in a timely fashion while he was freaking me out, was that a good excuse to shoot me? To them it would be! Two more agents came over, one cuffed me while the other two TORE my truck apart, when they was done they uncuffed me and sent me on my way, not even an "we are sorry" from them. I remember that day well and it still comes to mind sometimes when dealing with the Police, Driving truck has it's moments with the law. Now you see how I reacted to one gun, how about a whole bunch of them pointing at me with all the ciops screaming at the same time?? Since they are authorized to shoot, I would be dead. Cops create mass confusion and a very threatening atmosphere when they get together like theat. Watch cops sometime, I don't know if they are showing off for the cameras but watch how they act when a group of them makes an arrest, it's maddening! Does it take 10 cops with guns drawn to arrest somebody? Do they all have to yell and scream like that? They wonder why some people try to run or do not listen to orders, IT'S BECAUSE THEY ARE SCARING THE * OUT OF THEM!!
I love freedom, cause a chained dog ain't happy. A southern born child living behind enemy lines in occupied territory