Bystander shot by police on New Year’s dies

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

A bystander critically injured during a police shooting on New Year's has died and authorities announced this morning that homicide detectives are investigating the officer's actions, said Deputy Commissioner Richard Ross.

Abebe Isaac, 33, was a guest as a party in East Germantown when he was shot five times by a uniformed police officer who opened fire on an armed suspect who allegedly pointed a gun at the officer and fled, police said.

-----

Isaac was one of four people injured during the shooting, including Page's 9-year-old son, Nyger Page, who was grazed in the back by a bullet as Isaac tried to push him out of harm's way and shielded him from the bullets.

Another guest, Michael Johnson, 32, was shot in the side and has since been released from Einstein. The suspect police were chasing, Dontate Mitchell, 21, was shot in the arm.

Police responded to shots fired in the air at midnight, a tradition some observe to ring in the New Year. Authorities had warned earlier that day that shots fired in the air are dangerous, illegal and that those caught doing it would be aggressively pursued and prosecuted.






Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20080108_Bystander_shot_by_police_on_New_Years_dies.html

---

Authorities had warned earlier that day that shots fired in the air are dangerous, illegal and that those caught doing it would be aggressively pursued and prosecuted.

Seems to me the Philly cops answering the call are more dangerous. Whew, that was aggressive pursuit all right. These cops need to be fired and probably charged with a crime as well.

I wish the idiots who feel the need to shoot guns on New Year's eve would just stick to fireworks! Remember some idiot in I think it was Denver accidentally killed a young girl and her aunt in a house while shooting at a street light!

every few miles. Last few years the 4th and New Year's Eve around here have sounded like Baghdad!

:sarcasm:

*That* would have been a real tragedy.

While the suspect, unharmed, escaped the scene. No indignant statement will do it justice.

"The revelers were hugging, blowing party horns and counting down when bullets fired by police came through the front storm door.

Guests ran to the dining room, and some shielded their children with their bodies as others dropped to the floor. Those shot were near the front door and were attempting to flee to the second floor on a staircase near the front door."

Wow, this reminds me a lot of an incident that happened on New Year's Eve in Albany, NY a few years ago.

The cops were in the midst of a car chase and finally backed the guy into a corner on Lark Street, which is a street that has many restaurants, coffee shops and bars and as such a lot of pedestrians. When the man got out of his car, the cops immediately started shooting. They didn't hit him, but they did shoot and kill an innocent bystander, who happened to be a guy I went to high school with.

There are a few archived stories about it at this link if anyone is interested:

http://timesunion.com/specialreports/shooting/stories.asp

That applies to anyone who handles a gun, civilian or not.

usually have immunity given to them due to the duties of their job.

Now, if we could just get them better training and more practice....