Spokesman: Officer in subway shooting has resigned

Source: CNN

The officer involved in a New Year's Day shooting that left a passenger dead in a crowded Oakland, California, subway station resigned Wednesday, a Bay Area Rapid Transit spokesman said.

BART spokesman Linton Johnson said in a statement that the officer's attorney and his union representative submitted the resignation at a meeting Wednesday morning with BART police investigators. The officer was going to be at the meeting but did not show up, Johnson said.

The resignation was effective immediately.

Shortly before the funeral for the passenger, 22-year-old Oscar Grant, Johnson said the officer had received death threats.



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/01/07/BART.shooting/index.html

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The big "defense" of this indefensible act by the police officer which has been shopped around so far is that he mistakenly beleived he was using his taser.

  As a responsible gun owner, I find it unconscionable that a police officer would not take the time to check exactly what he was holding if this is the case. There are at least 5 police officers present, the situation is under control. There was and is no excuse to unholster, arm and discharge any form of firearm without knowing what exactly you are shooting. I just can't believe that they feel that similar, either in size or weight as to confuse an officer who is diligently taking one goddamned moment to make sure that he's not going to use lethal force instead of less-than-lethal force.

  As a citizen, I am outraged that he would even choose to tase this man. It is an outrageous, and tortuous act to taser a handcuffed individual. This has led to many deaths in the past, it shows the officer does not care so much for whom he's dealing with and it's just plain lazy- in a job where you are supposed to be more alert and caring about your fellow citizens than the average person.

  His troubles are far from over, but he will wake up tomorrow and continue to draw breath. Unlike the man he shot. Handcuffed. On his belly. Like an animal being slaughtered.

PB

I don't believe for a moment that he mistook his gun for a taser. He killed this man in cold-blooded murder.

Great fact-checking, CNN! Heckuva job.

not the whole system, obviously, but most of San Francisco and Oakland segments are in fact subway.

Well put.

It seems pretty clear that probably cause exists.

it's aggravated assault.

From this additional story from KRON4.com (a TV station):



Fancy that, eh?

PB

I grew up in West Philadelphia and have had more than my share of experiences being harassed by the police (Rizzo Cops). I truly believe most officers are well intentioned individuals but those few that aren't and those that cover for the bad ones are terrifying. I'm very grateful there were people filming this. I live in a predominately white area now, minorities are less than 1% of the residents and I always wonder if there were no witnesses, would I be safe with the police? I know that I'm not alone in that concern, as I've talked about it with friends and coworkers, and strangely (for me) the concern was not only along racial lines. It shouldn't be that way, when I was little I was taught the police were your safety, if you were in trouble they would be there to help. I even remember the officer holding my hand when I was seven and lost in the train station. When will cops be Heroes again.

The good guys on the force are few and far between.

Most cops are asshole control freaks who like nothing better than ruining your life if they can. :thumbsdown:

not much that i can tell. :rant:

This is absolutely ridiculous that charges have not already been filed. This man was already restrained and there was no need to pull a gun or a taser.

If this had been an accidental cop shooting you can bet the alleged shooter would be behind bars. He'd be arrested first and then they would try and figure out the facts of the case.

Simply reversing the situation shows the enormous disparity between how citizens are treated and how members of the police force are.

PB

There is enough video evidence to show that this man was already restrained. Even if he was yelling obscenities at the cops, it is still no reason to pull any weapon besides handcuffs.

And now we have riots going on in Oakland and had the authorities actually done their job and detained this officer, maybe we wouldn't see such a violent reaction to this all. However, I still do not condone the actions of the rioters. Destroying property of innocents will never do your cause any good. But hey, if they want to destroy a few cop cars - I somehow feel they are justified in their anger.

oh what a world....

Surely by now you have figured out that there are two justice systems in this country.

One is meek and mild-mannered, sworn to protect the wealthy and their spawn, the connected and the police from most, if not all of the consequences for their actions, whatever they might be.

The other is a vicious, ruthless and bloodthirsty revenge and "bread & circuses" system, tailored to destroy the lives of the least amongst us, the most vulnerable amongst us and the poorest and most unconnected amongst us. It is in place to perpetuate the myth that we have a government that functions under the rule of law, that there are consequences for our actions, and to drive a wedge between races and ethnicities.

Oh sure, every once in a while, they will toss one of those from the first group over the side, to keep up appearances, but in the majority of cases, they face no consequences for their actions.

It's all designed to keep us one-fodder-units divided and quaking in fear, you see. And make the government some money in the bargain.

And if you doubt my words, I offer a simple question: Where is Bernie Madoff sleeping tonight? Where is some kid who stole $50.00 and got caught sleeping tonight?

Start off with this premise: "The United States of America is a cruel and pathetic joke and a running woodchipper for most of its citizens"

You'll never go wrong.

It will take all out revolution for this to change. But who really has the guts to do that? And would it do any good? The majority of our military, police forces, and citizens have been brainwashed from infancy to believe in the ole' Red, White, n' Blue. It will take all out civil war and truly would not be a pretty sight.

Can't say I disagree with it.

yup.

And that's the most charitable thing that could happen to him.