Originally posted by Surtur
Before I go any further:YouTube video
Sorry, the link you gave was taking a long time to load, so I posted that in case anyone else had similar issues.
Well shit, I'm almost hesitant to give an opinion. For some reason I thought you'd posted a different clip of the shooting which is why I didn't watch. It's going to get said I'm victim blaming(not from you though, at least I doubt it).
I had known the cop told the guy not to pull out the gun, but I had thought he had began to fire pretty much the split second he finished saying "don't pull it out". But no, he is told he has a gun. He says "don't pull it out then". He repeats it a 2nd time, then a third time, before he fires.
The defense I see say that the guy was reaching for his wallet and claimed "I'm not pulling it out". I'm on the fence though, cuz even if you tell a cop you aren't pulling a gun out yet your hand continues to reach for something...I mean I know the cop had also previously asked for a license and stuff, but that was before he knew about the gun, and he said several times do not pull it out.
I was reading some of the youtube comments. One said the cop should have given better commands and told him to just put his hands on the steering wheel. I agree with that at least, but I'm not saying this absolves the cop. But because of the multiple warnings given I am assuming THAT is why the jury voted not guilty. But either way the cop f*cked up.
What about your assessment?
Furthermore, does anyone here think this cop did what he did just for the fun of it or out of racism? Note I am not saying if this wasn't a racist act it makes it okay.
Nope, you are correct. I held Robtard's opinion, previously, before this dashcam footage was released. In fact, if you want to know what my opinion was before today (when the dashcam footage was released), just go back and read Robtard's first post about the topic: that is almost verbatim what my opinion was.
However...he violated the basics of conceal and carry rules. Like...the exact basics. The very first thing you're supposed to do is inform the LEO that he had a conceal and carry and was currently carrying. Guess where your hands are supposed to be? Visible and on the steering wheel. Even if the police officer asks for your license and registration, you first inform of the CC and that you're currently packing and THEN wait for further instructions from the LEO.
If the LEO says to stop reaching for your gun, 3 times...and you still do not stop, then you run the risk of the situation escalating into violence up to and including lethal violence which is exactly what happened in the video.
I see nothing in the video that suggests he was reaching for anything else but his gun. Even if he wasn't, there is no indication that he is reaching for anything else but the gun he just mentioned to Yanez. He did not say that he was going to get his wallet after just having mentioned his concealed gun.
Phil: "Sir, I do have to tell you..."
Yanez:------------------------------"Mkay."
Phil: "That I do have a firearm on me."
Yanez:-------------------------------------"Okay."
Phil: "Don't reach for it, sir."
Yanez: "I'm-I'm"
Phil:--------------"Don't pull it out."
Yanez: "I'm not pulling it out...."
Phil:------------------------------"Don't pull it out!"
And then the shit happens.
I will tell you this: Yanez reacted the way they are trained. If they reach for their pocket and you suspect or know that the suspect is armed, then you're supposed to quickly pull out your gun and meet lethal force with lethal force BEFORE the suspect shoots you. Yanez reacted exactly how he is supposed to in that situation.
Also, Phil partially matched the description of a wide-nosed, shoulder-length dreadlock having armed robber. He (Yanez) approached the situation under the pretense that this man is a potential suspect matching the description of the armed robber.
I have seen another video where the police officer says immediately, "I will shoot you if you reach for that gun again...you better not reach for it..." That person did not end up dead. So I do believe there was an alternative outcome for this situation.
Also, the cop was EXTREMELY emotionally beat up and destroyed after this event. He was completely hysterical. I personally do not think he had the emotional stability to be working that kind of job. Sure, he just killed somebody and it is absurdly traumatic. But it does not seem like Law Enforcement is the type of work he should be in.
FYI, the probable cause to pull that guy over was the broken taillight. But they pulled him over to see if he matched the armed robber suspect. Pretty routine stuff. Drive safely, keep your car legal, and get a dashcam. Oh, and don't be black, sadly. 🙁
Here is my conclusion: Yanez did nothing illegal. Yanez could have handled the situation better but he did nothing wrong even from a proper procedure perspective. Even had his partner watching the other side (which is there to protect the confronting officer and possibly stop "runners" from escaping...because they thought they found their armed robbers).
Before this dashcam footage, I thought Yanez told Phil to get his wallet AFTER Phil said he had a conceal and carry. Which means Yanez was a dumbass making an excuse to shoot Phil. That narrative is not true since I saw this video. THIS is why we need bodycams and video footage. It wasn't until today that I knew exactly what happened. Yanez is not guilty of murder. Phil is guilty of being a dumbass who could not even follow the very basics of conceal and carry practices and he lost his life for it...wish it didn't happen. I don't want anyone to die violent deaths unless they are truly evil people.