Mass Shootings/Gun Control Reform Thread

[ZoWie]

The local rag there is the Akron Beacon Journal. It's not much of a paper, given to lurid photos and crime stories, but it has a full story on what happened. Sounds like an LA style gang bang. Someone shoots up a party every few months in LA, but you don't hear about it.

Glenn knows a lot more about Akron than I do, but I'm sure he'd agree that East Akron, near where Goodyear used to make tires before federal policy caused industry to flee the Midwest, is not exactly the garden district.

https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/new ... 946625007/

[bradman]

https://news.yahoo.com/news/minneapolis ... 42215.html
CNN
A heroic officer was ambushed and killed by a gunman he tried to help. Another victim is dead, and several others are wounded

A Minneapolis officer hailed as a hero last year was killed by a gunman who ambushed the officer as he responded to the scene of another shooting, police said.

Officer Jamal Mitchell, 36, was one of two people killed Thursday in a pair of shootings that also left four people wounded, authorities said.

The gunman, who Minnesota authorities identified on Sunday as Mustafa Ahmed Mohamed, 35, was also killed.

Police initially responded to a call about two people shot at an apartment building in Minneapolis’ Whittier neighborhood around 5:15 p.m. Thursday. When officers arrived, someone shot at them immediately, and the officers returned fire, Assistant Police Chief Katie Blackwell said.

[ap215]

17-year-old fatally shot while trying to break up a fight outside Seattle high school: Police

A 17-year-old boy was shot and killed when he apparently tried to break up a fight outside his Seattle high school, according to authorities.

The teen was shot multiple times in the Garfield High School parking lot at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, and he died later on Thursday at a hospital, Seattle police said.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/17-year-fatal ... =110924286

[Motor City]

Guns, unfounded suspicion proliferate violence, crime make public less safe.


Gunman hijacks bus in Atlanta with 17 people on board; 1 person killed

....Grier, one of the passengers that boarded the bus, got into an argument with a male passenger who pulled out a gun. According to a news release from the GBI, Grier took the gun from the passenger and began threatening other passengers.

"Grier then shot the passenger and ordered the bus driver to flee the scene while threatening passengers with the gun," the GBI wrote.

Washington man shot teen 7 times after mistakenly suspecting him of planning robbery

A Washington man charged in the murder of a 17-year-old boy shot the teen at least six times in the back and previously pursued another innocent person in 2022, telling police that he "might have to shoot," according to new details revealed in court documents obtained by USA TODAY on Tuesday......


.....When Myers confronted the teens, he told police they ignored his commands to put their hands up and that he thought that one of them was "going to kill him." Police say surveillance video contradicts much of Myers' story.

Here’s what we know.

[Glennfs]

Guns, unfounded suspicion proliferate violence, crime make public less safe.


Gunman hijacks bus in Atlanta with 17 people on board; 1 person killed





Washington man shot teen 7 times after mistakenly suspecting him of planning robbery

According to the DOJ people use guns 1.5 million times a year to protect themselves.

[ZoWie]

But who protects us from all the whackos and dopers with guns?

[JoeMemphis]

But who protects us from all the whackos and dopers with guns?

Supposed to be cops and judges. But we pissed all over law enforcement and demonized the whole profession. Then we elected or appointed judges and DA’s who seem more interested in catering to criminals than they are in serving the public interests.

So we are left to protect ourselves by what ever means are at our disposal. For some that means purchasing weapons. And so it goes.

[Glennfs]

But who protects us from all the whackos and dopers with guns?

That is the problem. Maybe tougher penalties and less judicial discretion

[bradman]

Supposed to be cops and judges. But we pissed all over law enforcement and demonized the whole profession. Then we elected or appointed judges and DA’s who seem more interested in catering to criminals than they are in serving the public interests.

So we are left to protect ourselves by what ever means are at our disposal. For some that means purchasing weapons. And so it goes.

i'll vouch for that. They are being attacked from both sides. A lot of them are wondering why the hell they even wanted the job in the first place. The whole damn thing has become demoralizing for them.

[JoeMemphis]

i'll vouch for that. They are being attacked from both sides. A lot of them are wondering why the hell they even wanted the job in the first place. The whole damn thing has become demoralizing for them.

It is sad. Law enforcement is no different than any other human endeavor. They have mostly good folks trying to do a job the best they can. And then they have a few bad actors who seem to get all the press when they screw up. I guess that’s what sells ads. The problem is the entire profession is being painted with that broad brush. So why put yourself at risk physically and fiscally? Who do that when the people you arrest are back on the street before shift change. Why do that when repeat offenders get put back on the streets to recommit? What value is added?

It won’t change until the folks most directly affected, low to middle income families, decide enough is enough and signal change to their representatives in a way that gets their attention. That may involve electing someone new. Until then there is nothing to force change and we will continue to mount up with more and more of the same.

[bradman]

It is sad. Law enforcement is no different than any other human endeavor. They have mostly good folks trying to do a job the best they can. And then they have a few bad actors who seem to get all the press when they screw up. I guess that’s what sells ads. The problem is the entire profession is being painted with that broad brush. So why put yourself at risk physically and fiscally? Who do that when the people you arrest are back on the street before shift change. Why do that when repeat offenders get put back on the streets to recommit? What value is added?

It won’t change until the folks most directly affected, low to middle income families, decide enough is enough and signal change to their representatives in a way that gets their attention. That may involve electing someone new. Until then there is nothing to force change and we will continue to mount up with more and more of the same.

[bold] it's what sells "clicks."

There was an incident in one of the local parks near here. Apparently the police broke up a party at a park in a neighboring city. They were called to the scene from a caller who reported the threat of possible gun violence. During the investigation they found out that the main body was moving to the next city park so they informed that cities police force about the "gun" incident. Sure enough they get the same call and already had pulled as many officers as they could muster to the scene. Now imagine a hundred kids raising hell and only 4 officers looking for a gun amongst them. That's when one officer see's it. Off in the distance there's a kid waving a gun at a half dozen other kids that were running in different directions. By all rights the officer should have shot. The gun looked real. People were running. But to him something didn't seem right so he withheld fire. It was only after he dropped the weapon and took him into custody that they were able to determine the gun was a toy that had been modified and painted to look like a real gun. Think that made the news? Hell no. There's no "clicks" to be had.

[JoeMemphis]

[bold] it's what sells "clicks."

There was an incident in one of the local parks near here. Apparently the police broke up a party at a park in a neighboring city. They were called to the scene from a caller who reported the threat of possible gun violence. During the investigation they found out that the main body was moving to the next city park so they informed that cities police force about the "gun" incident. Sure enough they get the same call and already had pulled as many officers as they could muster to the scene. Now imagine a hundred kids raising hell and only 4 officers looking for a gun amongst them. That's when one officer see's it. Off in the distance there's a kid waving a gun at a half dozen other kids that were running in different directions. By all rights the officer should have shot. The gun looked real. People were running. But to him something didn't seem right so he withheld fire. It was only after he dropped the weapon and took him into custody that they were able to determine the gun was a toy that had been modified and painted to look like a real gun. Think that made the news? Hell no. There's no "clicks" to be had.

That is sad as well. Good officers often don’t get the credit they deserve.

[bradman]

That is sad as well. Good officers often don’t get the credit they deserve.

Most of them will tell ya they're not in it for credit or glory.

The sad thing is that kind of story doesn't get clicks. We lose a teachable moment. We lose the discussion. In short order....

Ya may think it's cool to waive a fake gun around and frighten people. But keep this in mind. Someone will ask for police assistance and there's a possibility that it may not end well when they do arrive.

[gounion]

https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/12/us/big-5 ... index.html

An armed man who “took it upon himself” to conduct surveillance outside a sporting goods store in suburban Seattle has been charged with murder after he fatally shot in the back a teenager who had an airsoft gun in his pocket, prosecutors said.

Aaron Brown Myers, 51, was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree assault in the killing of the 17-year-old, identified as H.R., according to court documents. The teen was shot once in the side and at least six times in the back, and he died at the scene, the documents state.

“In this case the defendant attacked three teenagers who had not committed any crime and at every stage of the interaction chose to escalate with more and more violence until it culminated in the defendant taking the life of 17-year-old H.R.,” King County senior deputy prosecuting attorney Lauren M. Burke wrote in a case summary and request for bail.

In a statement on Wednesday, attorneys for Myers said he was a “professional security consultant” and argued he fired in self-defense.

“We are confident that over the course of this investigation the evidence will show that Mr. Myers’ only intent that day was to protect himself and others from serious harm or death,” attorneys Michelle Scudder and Zachary Wagnild said in an email to CNN.

Bullshit.

This is what’s wrong with “everyone carries a gun” crap. People without the training or the common sense to handle a firearm, decides they are self-appointed cops, and love the idea of killing someone. I mean, this guy shot the kid over and over and over and fucking over.

Anyone wants to make an argument for this guy to get the death penalty, I’d probably be on board.

This is the nation the GOP has given us.

[Glennfs]

https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/12/us/big-5 ... index.html



Bullshit.

This is what’s wrong with “everyone carries a gun” crap. People without the training or the common sense to handle a firearm, decides they are self-appointed cops, and love the idea of killing someone. I mean, this guy shot the kid over and over and over and fucking over.

Anyone wants to make an argument for this guy to get the death penalty, I’d probably be on board.

This is the nation the GOP has given us.

You aren't supposed to shoot to wound. If you pull it you have to be prepared to use it. If you use it you shoot to kill.

[Number6]

It is sad. Law enforcement is no different than any other human endeavor. They have mostly good folks trying to do a job the best they can. And then they have a few bad actors who seem to get all the press when they screw up. I guess that’s what sells ads. The problem is the entire profession is being painted with that broad brush. So why put yourself at risk physically and fiscally? Who do that when the people you arrest are back on the street before shift change. Why do that when repeat offenders get put back on the streets to recommit? What value is added?

It won’t change until the folks most directly affected, low to middle income families, decide enough is enough and signal change to their representatives in a way that gets their attention. That may involve electing someone new. Until then there is nothing to force change and we will continue to mount up with more and more of the same.

Policing is a difficult problem mainly because they're really the only profession in which an individual makes a life and death decision. That's why police go through police academies for training and continue their training on how to deal with life-and-death situations. Society give a lot of leeway to the police on how they conduct themselves because they're serving to protect society at large. But with that responsibility goes accountability. I've always believed in accountability for when they do their job properly and when they don't. For the most part, IMO, the police are honorable and overall do a good job. The public image of the police is tarnished when individual police officers abuse their powers causing injury/death to others. The media reports these instances because they are newsworthy and in doing so consciously or unconsciously affecting public opinion.

[Glennfs]

Policing is a difficult problem mainly because they're really the only profession in which an individual makes a life and death decision. That's why police go through police academies for training and continue their training on how to deal with life-and-death situations. Society give a lot of leeway to the police on how they conduct themselves because they're serving to protect society at large. But with that responsibility goes accountability. I've always believed in accountability for when they do their job properly and when they don't. For the most part, IMO, the police are honorable and overall do a good job. The public image of the police is tarnished when individual police officers abuse their powers causing injury/death to others. The media reports these instances because they are newsworthy and in doing so consciously or unconsciously affecting public opinion.

I can honestly say that literally 9 out of 10 i deal with are total aholes and should not be in the profession.

[JoeMemphis]

Policing is a difficult problem mainly because they're really the only profession in which an individual makes a life and death decision. That's why police go through police academies for training and continue their training on how to deal with life-and-death situations. Society give a lot of leeway to the police on how they conduct themselves because they're serving to protect society at large. But with that responsibility goes accountability. I've always believed in accountability for when they do their job properly and when they don't. For the most part, IMO, the police are honorable and overall do a good job. The public image of the police is tarnished when individual police officers abuse their powers causing injury/death to others. The media reports these instances because they are newsworthy and in doing so consciously or unconsciously affecting public opinion.

I agree. But don’t you think some of this coverage goes beyond simply reporting the news. Isn’t it all about ratings and clicks? And isn’t that at the expense of a profession you and I agree is performed, for the most part, by good and decent public servants?

Not sure what can be done but we need more cops, not fewer. And we need them to be respected and supported and not demoralized and demonized.

[bradman]

I can honestly say that literally 9 out of 10 i deal with are total aholes and should not be in the profession.

Driving truck i imagine most of the officers you run into are State Troopers. Totally different animal compared to a police officer. Even a regular cop will tell you most State Troopers are arrogant assholes.

In all my years of driving truck i can only remember one State Trooper who showed some compassion and didn't go strictly by the book.

[ap215]

9-year-old fatally shot in Milwaukee; city's 4th young gunshot victim in recent weeks

MILWAUKEE -- A 9-year-old boy was shot and killed early Thursday in Milwaukee, police said, becoming the fourth young gunshot victim in the city in recent weeks.

Jonael Zambrano died at a hospital, about two hours after he was shot in a bedroom around midnight, the Milwaukee County medical examiner's office said.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/9-y ... -111089314

[ap215]

At least 9 people injured, including 2 children, in shooting at Michigan splash pad

At least nine people were injured after a gunman opened fire at a splash pad in a Detroit suburb on Saturday.

Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said during a press conference that an eight-year-old boy is in critical condition following a gunshot wound to the head. He said that the boy’s brother, a 4-year-old, and his mother were also injured in the shooting.

https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watc ... plash-pad/

[ap215]

2 killed, 14 injured in shooting at Juneteenth celebration in Texas; police searching for suspect

Police in Round Rock, Texas, have asked for the public's help in locating a suspect in connection with a shooting during a Juneteenth celebration that left two dead and 14 others injured.

The incident happened on Saturday night when a fight broke out between two groups at the Old Settlers Park at about 11 p.m. local time, Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks said early Sunday. At about the same time, someone produced a gun and began to fire, Banks said, adding that multiple people were struck by gunfire.

https://www.aol.com/news/2-dead-shootin ... 00374.html

[bradman]

https://news.yahoo.com/news/19-old-kill ... 38630.html
19-year-old kills parents, shoots deputy: Florida sheriff

The sheriff said there was also an active risk protection order against Alexander that led to deputies seizing his guns. Investigators are working to find out how he obtained the gun used on Saturday.

“How did this mentally ill subject have access to any type of firearms when we took his firearms,” the sheriff said. “They’re in our custody. How did he have access to any type of firearms to be able to inflict this type of violence this evening?”

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is now investigating the incident. None of the deputies involved used deadly force prior to Saturday night, according to authorities.

[Motor City]

11 guns found in home of Rochester Hills splash pad shooting suspect; motive unclear

....Family members told detectives that he'd walk around his home with a gun, saying things like "shut your phone off, we're being watched, they are listening to us," Bouchard said......

Sounds like he was insecure about authorities maybe the way they have become more and more militarized and invasive.

[ap215]

Authorities confirm 11 people shot, 3 dead and two officers injured in Fordyce grocery store shooting; suspect in custody

FORDYCE, Ark. – Authorities confirmed a Friday mass shooting at a Fordyce grocery store left three people dead and several more injured.

During a Friday afternoon news conference, authorities stated that 11 civilians were shot, three of whom were killed, in the shooting.

https://www.kark.com/crime/multiple-age ... -shooting/