I have seen several people comment and remark that the six reported shots fired by Officer Darren Wilson were too many... That he was using excessive force in doing so. Those in law enforcement know that is not true. This admittedly long winded post is an effort to educate those who think it is. I know its long, but please bear with it and you will see the point of why you shoot until the threat is stopped. Police Officers, just like citizens in firearm based self defense classes are taught and trained to shoot to stop the threat. Not shoot to kill, or shoot to injure, but to shoot to stop the threat. In order to do this effectively, it often times takes more than one shot aimed at the subjects center mass. You aim center mass as during a stressful situation, accuracy is often decreased and center mass strikes have a higher likelihood to stop the threat. This is not the movies... One shot does not send the suspect flying 10 feet backwards and expose a bloody hole in his chest. In order to demonstrate this, Im going to recall events that occurred on November 20th, 1992. On 11/20/1992, Trooper Mark Coates, with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, conducted a traffic stop on Richard Blackburn, who was driving erratically. Trooper Coates asked to search Blackburns vehicle, unaware he was transporting marijuana in the vehicle. As Coates began searching Blackburn, he began to resist and knocked Coates to the ground where a struggle ensued. Trooper Coates, a former marine, was taken to the ground by a nearly 300 pound gentle giant. During the struggle, Blackburn pulled out a .22 caliber firearm and fired two shots in to Trooper Coates. These shots were stopped by Coates vest. Trooper Coates was able to return fire and fired five rounds from his .357 Magnum. Those shots struck Blackburn in center mass, around his torso area. Despite this, Blackburn continued to struggle until Trooper Coates was able to break free. As Coates regained his footing, he radioed for help. As Trooper Coates was attempting to take cover, Blackburn fired another round. Despite being shot five times in the torso, Blackburn was still a threat.The final round he fired, struck Trooper Coates near the armpit and ultimately severed his aorta, killing him. As the video shows, Trooper Coates laid on the side of the highway and died. His last breaths and screams are on display thanks to the in car camera. Richard Blackburn survived his wounds and made a full recovery. He is currently serving a life sentence in prison. RIP Trooper Mark Hunter Coates, EOW 11/20/1992. Im not saying this case and the Officer Darren Wilson case are the same. They never are in law enforcement. I simply wanted to point out, why it could have been necessary for six shots to have been fired at Michael Brown. Please wait until the facts come out. The truth will come out and it will be supported by logic and evidence. Be safe out there. Be advised, the below listed video is from a Law Enforcement Training Company named In the Line of Duty. This video clip contains not only the graphic murder of Trooper Coates, but also interviews with members of the SCHP and Richard Blackburn. There is graphic language but it is vital to the incident. - E
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 02:49:08 +0000
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