Shocking: Video Catches San Francisco Police Shooting Man in Wheelchair

from Colorlines, via AlterNet:



Watch: http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/425771/shocking%3A_video_catches_san_francisco_police_shooting_man_in_wheelchair/


San Francisco police officers were caught on camera shooting a man in a wheelchair. Video of the shooting, which happened on Tuesday, was captured by a passerby and uploaded to YouTube on Wednesday. It’s the second time in just a few weeks that SFPD officers have shot knife-wielding suspects. And to make matters worse, this latest incident happened outside of a city mental health building.

The video, which we’ve included above, shows several officers confronting an unidentified wheelchair-bound man who was allegedly wielding a knife and a chunk of concrete. The department claims the man stabbed an officer earlier and had begun slashing nearby car tires. Shortly after the civilian dropped the knife, officers shot twice, hitting the unidentified suspect in the groin. The victim did not appear to be confined to the wheelchair as officers began forcing him to the ground after being shot.

A witness can be heard on the video saying, “What the fuck? That was unnecessary.”

Two of the unidentified officers have been placed on administrative leave, according to radio station KQED. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/425771/shocking%3A_video_catches_san_francisco_police_shooting_man_in_wheelchair/

K&R

Them's the new rules.

even if the "lawbreaker" is holding a knife. From what I saw, the guy seemed to be doing what the officer wanted him to do; the guy had his hands up during the last moments before the officer shot him. I suspect the trigger-happy officer thought he might be able to get away with it due to the fact the guy was mentally ill & he could write his report along that excusable premise. What he didn't count on was that one bystander would actually care enough to capture his pathetic way of "helping the public for good", especially those who are weaker, on camera.

Despicable!

That was not an acceptable way to handle the situation. I guess a dumbass with a taser would be better than a dumbass with a gun.

Why would he shoot the guy in the groin? Is that something that he was taught at the police academy?