Sunday, September 15, 2013

Police Have Taken it Way too Far with "Accidental" Killing

“Charlotte police kill unarmed man who may have been running to them for help”

By: Jessica King and AnneClaire Stapleton

Source: CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/15/justice/north-carolina-police-shooting/index.html?hpt=us_c2
 In North Carolina, a man was shot and killed by police who was running towards them Saturday morning. The man was twenty-four- year-old Jonathan Ferrell. He was shot several times and died instantly. He was unarmed. There was a call earlier to 911 about a man entering and breaking into a home in Charlotte, North Carolina and the police believed that Ferrell was the man that was breaking entering because he matched the caller’s description. Turns out he was only running towards police for help involving a car accident. Police found a car wreck nearby and they believe that was the car wreck Ferrell wanted help for. Chief Rodney Monroe told CNN that the accident was pretty serious. Authorities believe that Farrell had to climb out of the back window because of how serious the accident was. Officer Randall Kerrick, the man who shot Ferrell, turned himself in Saturday afternoon. He was charged with voluntary manslaughter. “A charge of voluntary manslaughter means the person used excessive force in self-defense, or carried out the act without intent to kill.” One would think that Kerrick shot Ferrell on purpose in self-defense. Kerrick could not have possibly hurt Ferrell without intending to kill if he thought Ferrell was charging at them. Kerrick had no right to use his gun during that time. There were three officers at the scene but only Kerrick had a gun. All three of them have been placed on paid leave. That means that the officers are put on investigation for a wrong doing and they cannot come to work but are not fired yet until proven guilty, but they still get paid at home. Ferrell’s family is devastated. Ferrell had one brother who played football with him at A&M University. Ferrell was engaged and would have turned twenty-five next month. There have been many incidents with police killing innocent people by “mistake.” Police have taken their gun ownership too far and need to calm down and not assume. Now that is a big mistake.
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7 comments:

  1. Karnie BabikianSeptember 18, 2013 at 5:21 PM

    Mary has chosen a tremendously interesting article to blog about. Details are nicely described and included, however the overall summary is also quite intriguing. The usage of a quote from the actual article is a great idea. It is devastating to know that police, who should be helping people, have only been abusing their power, making situations worse, tearing families apart. On a good note, keep up the good work Mary!

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  2. Annie BarberianSeptember 18, 2013 at 6:43 PM

    Looking back there are many cases such as this one, during which a police officer has been too quick to take action without knowing all of the facts, which ends in the death of an innocent person. Officer Randall, the shooter, clearly jumped to a conclusion and assumed that Ferrell was armed. Even if Ferrell was assumed to be the alleged robber, the officers should not have shot at him without seeing a weapon in his hand. Ferrell’s life was cut short because of an assumption the officer made. Opinions may vary on whether the officer had the right to shoot the man, much like the differing opinions on the Trayvon Martin case. Mary did a wonderful job in picking and presenting this topic.

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  3. Maria KhachatryanSeptember 18, 2013 at 7:51 PM

    This story is saddening. Police are suppose to be trustworthy and here they go shooting without thinking. Unfortunately this happens often with police. Ferrell's life has been wrongfully taken, putting his family in a rough spot. As well as putting the officer and his own family in a rough spot. It will be interesting to hear what happens to the officer, will he go to jail or be let go.

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  4. UnknownSeptember 18, 2013 at 8:20 PM

    Yet again, another case where an innocent civilian’s life was rudely taken away, due to an irreversible mistake. Jonathon Ferrell’s death would remind many of Trayvon Martin’s, because of the uncanny similarity between both. Police officers should use their firearms and weapons, in times of self defense, much more carefully in order to ensure a safe environment for all people to live in. Astonishing work, Mary!

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  5. Astghik SahagianSeptember 18, 2013 at 8:53 PM

    Wow, this is one shocking story. Talk about a plot twist. The accidental events that cause tragic effects such as this one occur too often around the world. It is humane of all of us to be anxious in this sort of situation, but for a well trained and professional officer, these type of mistakes should rarely occur. Prayers go out to Ferrell's family and may he rest in peace. Great job Mary.

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  6. Ellen ThovmasyanSeptember 18, 2013 at 9:43 PM

    Mary, the title itself was enough to allure readers, terrific choice of article! It is shameful to hear about this story. Police officers are supposed to be a higher power that people can trust, especially with their lives. This scenario has a somewhat sickening irony to it. The death of an innocent and unarmed civilian is a serious issue. When an officer is the one who caused it, it is just tragic. Fantastic work, Mary!

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  7. Ara Matthew GhiulezianSeptember 18, 2013 at 10:05 PM

    The death of the twenty four year old man is terribly heartbreaking, but the officer that shot him should not be to blame. Of course the officer could have been more careful, but he acted out of instinct and did what he thought was the right thing. Unfortunately the late Jonathan Ferrell happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

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