I can feel for this family and still agree with the cops actions.
Certainly it'd be nice if there was a way to not shoot to kill, but it isn't practical.
It'd be nice if the cop could take cover and tell him to drop the gun, but it wasn't possible this time.
I have family members who could easily have been this young man.
I have family members that are deeply loved by their family.
Yet they rob, run from cops, do drugs and end up in prison.
It is truly miraculous that none of my cousins have been killed by the cops.
My Aunt once told a cop who arrested her son "Thank you for not shooting him, but I wouldn't have blamed you if you did."
He had pointed a gun at the cop, but the cop knew who he was and that he never carried a loaded gun.
That cop took a gamble with his own life. We can't expect them to do that.
When they are being ambushed and killed sitting in their cars... they are in enough danger.
I hope that people are able to look at this one rationally.
It is clear that this cop did not just shoot this kid because of his color.
This kid pointed a gun at him.
That is going to get you shot (and it has) whether you are 12, 18 or 89 years old. Whether you are white, black or purple.
This is not a case to be outraged about. I am just grateful we don't have another dead cop on our hands.
However, I still feel deeply for the family. That mother gave birth to a baby boy, not a




.
She still loves her son even if he does some things wrong. I hope she is able to see things clearly soon. :twocents: