There is a controversial shooting in South Carolina this week after York County deputy, Terrence Knox, shot Bobby Canipe, 70, during a routine traffic stop when Canipe reached for his cane. Knox said that he thought it was a rifle and his department is calling him justified in the shooting. Canipe (left) is a disabled Vietnam veteran.
The stop was for an expired license tag near the small town of Clover, South Carolina. After pulling over, Canipe got out and reached into this truck bed for his cane. Knox proceeded to fire multiple rounds and hit Canipe once.
York County sheriff’s spokesman Trent Faris has called the shooting “very unfortunate” but added that “[i]t does appear, at this time, that Deputy Knox’s actions were an appropriate response to what he reasonably believed to be an imminent threat to his life.”
Well, at this time, I would have to disagree. It would appear that an officer fired without a clear view of the alleged weapon or time for the suspect to drop the weapon. Moreover, I assume that, when reaching for a cane, you do show with one hand — an awkward position to use a long-barreled rifle. However, I would like to read the officer’s account and see the results of the investigation.
The matter will be investigated and I would have preferred that the department not issue such a statement before the full facts are determined.
Such shootings raise comparisons with other countries where police use potentially lethal force at a much lower rate.
Source: Washington Post
davidm2575
Great point.
Unfortunately, taking cover might damage their macho self image.
It is the civilian who is supposed to put his hands in view, obey orders and be very polite – apparently we aren’t allowed the same pride issues.
So tired of hearing about these cases. Why can’t a police officer’s first reaction be to take cover if he is afraid?
nick;
You may wish to follow up with Michael Ruppert’s “Crossing the Rubicon”. The book is by a former upper Detective in the LAPD who worked hand in hand with DEA and had a girlfriend from CIA.
(don’t read it – if you don’t want facts about September 11).
As for brutal cops stories – here’s one released Today.
Mom and daughter fight at movie theatre in Oklahoma;
off duty security guard cops and on duty one’s pounce on husband
who dies as a result.
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/02/26/justice/oklahoma-arrest-death-video/
Years ago I had a client who was a FBI agent. He had been a sniper in Vietnam and was also a sniper with the FBI. His day job was taking down drug dealers in a dodgy area of town. He advised us that we should get pistols and keep them within reach as our office was adjacent to this dodgy area of town and we often worked into the night. He explained that over the years he had noticed criminals were starting to approach a victim and shoot him first. That way there was no chance of the victim fighting back when ordered to ‘stick em up’. This was a practical decision for someone prepared to kill or be killed.
Some police officers have arrived at the same conclusion. They will keep their jobs, not be charged, and set a precedent for this very same mind set. So, when a police officer does approach you, pretend that the main thing on his mind is not getting shot and that regardless of your intentions do nothing until ordered to do what the officer says and then do it very carefully. Society has determined and continues to reinforce the determination that the officer’s life is more important than yours.
This is what we have become. Thank you John Wayne and the NRA.
Contrast this with the Dunn case in Florida.
Police really need to abide by the same standard of reasonable fear the rest of us are supposed to. And the media needs to be much more proactive calling them on it.
In countries where gun ownership is tightly controlled police are less apt to be so quick on the trigger. Something for gun-nuts to consider.
Laser, I don’t get comments retrieved much anymore. I did more research since I tried to reply to you. The book is written by Rothmiller and Goldman. Rothmiller is the cop, it is LA Secret Police.
Karen and Justice;
The facts are germane.
We shouldn’t be rushing to judgment totalitarian;
and we can’t expect police to take extra risk of life to satisfy our angst.
When you see bad apples in the barrel, you throw them out, rinse the others and put in clean water.
You don’t simply crush all apples as “potentially” being bad.
Help please. I have 2 comments eaten by wordpress. They’re directed to Laser. Only one needs retrieval. Thanks.
It is best to stay away from police officers. They are so trigger happy and so afraid that they have no judgement. Additionally, their training now tells them basically to shoot first and ask questions later.
When we see these types of reports they are spun to make the cops look bad, or the teacher, or anyone in authority. WHAT IF he was going for the rifle? You have to see both sides. It may be that he should have said “I’m reaching for my cane” but then it could still be a rifle. You can’t really trust anyone. WHY would the man need his cane if he was stopped unless he was asked to get out of the car?
nick; is the book written by Ruppert?
Concur nick;
A haughty, I’ll assert my rights (let me get my damn cane without asking permission so I can shake it at you) – does not bode well for safety’s sake.
I don’t want one citizen shot unnecessarily;
and I damn sure don’t want any officer risking his life
– by too much 2nd guessing.
I’ve had guns (unlawfully) put in my face by officers telling me I can’t sell goods (to the competitor of their uncle’s convenience store). Even though I would have been right to “stand my ground” on that day (and deeply considered nixing the tyrant) – my common sense kept me alive to fight another day.
Dying out in the woods would have been a Mississippi headline of
“Trooper shot & killed silk suited mafia wannabe Yankee in Caddy”,
This is crazy…. Small town…. I hope they have a dash cam….. The officers need something and I’m not sure what it is….
Laser, I was doing a surveillance one time in a real bad neighborhood. I heard some gunfire a couple blocks away. Within a couple minutes I had squad cars behind my vehicle w/ weapons drawn by the cops. I could see the adrenaline was rushing in them, and of course then myself. I did not move and even before being told, SLOWLY put my hands on the dashboard. A shooting had just occurred and they were hunting the shooter. My wife and I were fortunate in our career choice in that we taught the way to deal w/ cops. It really is as important a safety lesson as teaching your kids how to swim. Probably the biggest problem folks have is pride. It’s SMART to be polite, and chips on the shoulder is stupid. This is general info, not related to this. More info needed, but it don’t look good!
was the police ever in Iraq or Afghanistan?
By the way Professor – your “assume” comes across as greatly biased and “presumes” many facts not in evidence.
I’m reading a book recommended by a commenter here about the LAPD through the eyes of a good cop. I know a lotta cops. Some I went to school w/, others through my work. Good cops have to endure a lot, depending upon the dept. What is helping change that is more women and minorities entering the profession. Even more, the prevalence of cameras and the internet.
While I concur that the Rule of Law is suffer degradation (in most part due to venality) – I’m less willing to rush into judgment on this particular instance.
Citizens (especially by now) – should be well aware of potential “trigger happy” officers; and should (prudently) go above and beyond in compliance with sound logic efforts to avoid even appearing as an aggressor.
A habitual “reach” for anything – is NOT a smart move (IMO).
I concur with the Professor – we need to see a full detail of the happenstance.
Care to take a bet as to whether the “independent” review will clear the cop?
We have become cynical as to the ability of ordinary citizens to obtain justice when injured by a cop.
The “rule of law” is being degraded; what the ultimate consequences will be is anybody’s guess.