Criminal law

Alabama Officer Shoots And Kills Man Wielding A Large Spoon

220px-Soup_SpoonThere is a growing outcry in Tuscaloosa, Ala. after a police officer fatally shot a man wielding a “large metal spoon in a threatening manner.” Jeffory Ray Tevis, 50, was killed after a confrontation with the officer on his balcony. Police say that he may have been “suffering from a mental episode” . . . and then he grabbed a spoon.

Police were responded to a report of an assault on the premises and found Tevis with blood on his face and legs. He said that he had been attacking while another man accused him of threatening him. Police say that he became aggressive and an officer used a stun gun but Tevis then charged the officer with a spoon. Police said it was 10-12 inches long. The officer shoot him twice in self-defense.

The officer reported minor injuries.

As daunting as a large spoon maybe, the incident rises the question that we discussed earlier about sharp difference in the use of lethal force in the United States as opposed to other countries. In fairness, we have not heard the officer’s account and it may be possible at the location on the balcony or other factors proved mitigating. However, the object itself raises fair questions about the use of lethal force.

76 thoughts on “Alabama Officer Shoots And Kills Man Wielding A Large Spoon”

  2. Apparently, the Canadian doesn’t understand our jury system, our Constitution, the Civil War, and much more. I am beginning to wonder if he is learning disabled. He came here so brash a while back and I thought the boy might have some game. Now, the only topic I will listen to him about is hockey. The boy does know hockey. You see, that is a CANADIAN game.

  3. He was told to leave it to the police, stay in the car, not to approach. The fact is that if he wasn’t carrying a 45 he would have stayed in the car. He was and continues to be too much of a coward to poke his nose anywhere without a gun in his belt. This is perhaps one of the ingredients of this quasi-religious relationship Americans have with guns. He has a history of being a nuisance. Only in America would he be permitted to carry a concealed 45. This combination is what took the life of Martin: America’s quasi religious concept of rights to own, carry, use arms, a junior G-man wannabe who was a nuisance and had drunkenly assaulted a police officer previously.

    Zimmerman was wrongly charged with murder by a stupid Angela Corey and got off. Justice didn’t prevail. It was circumvented.

    1. Issac

      You seem hung up on .45’s but I’m pretty sure GZ’s gun was a Hi Point 9mm parabellum (si vis pacem, para bellum).

      I tend to think Americans value their right to self defense above all, regardless of the method.

      Its kind of sad how a city like NYC goes after stagehands for carrying “gravity knives” but if it makes Issac feel a little safer I guess its worth it.

  4. Zimmerman was acquitted by a jury of American citizens. There is no appeal filed. So why the hell are we even discussing it. It’s OVER! Justice prevailed.

  6. Turley’s question focused on the ‘sharp difference between the US and other countries regarding lethal force.

    At the moment when the officer fired he chose to do something that is uniquely part of America. He drew his gun and shot the opponent. He did not run away. He did not leave and call for more officers. He did not call for more officers before encountering the crazed man. He did not do any one or a combination of many things that, perhaps, officers in other countries might do. Several officers with a net, tasers, pure physical force, etc. might have restrained the guy until he could have been taken to a hospital.

    The right to bear arms and the militarization of poorly trained police often times results in people getting shot to death in the US. For some it is OK. Perhaps Turley is asking if it is OK.

    Idiots like Zimmerman pick fights with people then when taking a licking ‘defend’ themselves with the concealed 45 they took into the fight. And, this is OK with some as they link it to the sacred laws of the American Pantheon. When someone objects, well, they: don’t love America, don’t understand the sacred laws, etc.

    What part of a ‘well regulated militia’ allows armed groups to patrol Ferguson and Wyoming? Regardless how you spin the words, statistics prove that America has a problem and some see it as the cost of being American and others see it as something that needs to be changed. I see it as something that needs to be changed.

    1. issac – there was never any evidence that Zimmermann picked a fight.

  7. Pingback: Alabama Officer Shoots And Kills Man Wielding A Large Spoon | Dave Alexander & Company -- Ukuleledave and David Edgren

  8. I’ve never been tased, but understand its purpose is to render unable to continue. That’s what they said about Rodney King. But it didn’t. Apparently it didn’t in this case either. Adrenaline released changes everyone’s fear potential. What could cause no effect by taser? Don’t know, but bullets work. That’s why police have guns with bullets. My first reaction is wait for all the info. I don’t want to second guess a policeman. If we don’t want criminals hurt, take away the guns. And expect policemen to quit. But, by golly, they aren’t shooting people. Even the one going after me with something big that’s silver. I’d like the story two days later, but accurate. I don’t want policemen hesitating. I want them to do what they are trained to do as fast as they are trained to do it. If a policeman thinks his life is threatened, shoot. Then prepare to move somewhere else for your family’s safety, because this country has gone bonkers!

  10. I’d like to hear how many here would have reacted if confronted by a bloodied crazy guy with a long flashy object in his hand as he moved toward you.

    Exactly Aridog.

    Not only was the man bloody, rampaging, armed with something, he had resisted a taser. Who knows what type of drug he might be on to be so out of control. Bath Salts where you can chew off another persons face? or Flakka, a new synthetic drug, causes symptoms and signs that include agitation, superhuman strength, paranoia, and bizarre behavior.

    In addition to being rushed by this insane out of control person, the officer was likely in danger of being thrown off of the balcony to the pavement below.

    I would consider this self defense.

  11. Paul, If Shaun King and Rachel Dolezal had a child, the baby would be the first “virtual” black baby.

  12. bettykath – is that Shaun King the same one that started Black Lives Matter and has lately been defending his ‘blackness.’ He claims a black father but his birth certificate shows a white father and white mother.

  13. I highly suggest that all citizens who are able, do a ride along with their local police. It is helpful to community policing for the community to have some awareness of policing. They should learn what the policies are, see them in action, and get a glimpse of the decision making process on the fly.

    Of course, every attempt is made to ensure the ridealong is not placed in danger, so they would likely not get the chance to see a dangerous takedown.

    But I’ve had some exciting ridealongs, myself.

  14. I think that many people are jumping to conclusions before the investigation was completed. We don’t know what happened above the fact that the guy was holding a large ladle.

    A ladle is basically a metal club that can absolutely brain someone. If you don’t believe me, get a stainless steel ladle and whack a watermelon with it.

    Perhaps the cop acted appropriately, and perhaps he did not. We need a thorough investigation. Are the cops getting appropriate training in how to handle violent mentally ill people? What happened during the altercation? Was the cop in danger of being thrown off the balcony? It looks like they tried non-lethal force first and then resorted to the firearm. Do we have the technology to come up with alternate non lethal means to subdue the mentally ill or those out of their heads on drugs?

    This might have been justified, and it might not. Will all we hear of it be “officer shoots man with a spoon?” Will we never hear the results of the investigation, and just have that catchy headline to file away? What does “he became aggressive” mean? Did he bite someone? Punch the cops? Were they unable to hold him?

    I recall my mother’s office mate used to work at a mental institution. She said the last straw for her was getting knocked out . . . again . . . by one of the patients. It’s quite difficult even for trained medical staff to deal with a mental ill patient who is violent. The worst thing that happened was the emptying of our mental institutions. Now vulnerable people who should be under care and supervision are just out on the street, harming themselves and others, and self medicating.

  15. They live in safe neighborhoods and would never venture into the ‘hood.

  16. Ari, The cop haters have never been in harm’s way. It is painfully evident.

  17. NDTE

    Like I said, the first step is recognizing you have a problem. If hearing it from someone else affects your understanding of the issues, then you do, indeed, have a problem.

  18. Hindsight is so nice at 20-20. I’d like to hear how many here would have reacted if confronted by a bloodied crazy guy with a long flashy object in his hand as he moved toward you. Do you think you’d take the time to determine spoon or knife? In close questers on a balcony? I’ll listen.

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