12 Responses for "Deaf Teen Shot by Police"

1. kristine September 30th, 2003 at 11:20 pm 1

   Oh man, that’s awful. I can’t believe that the officer didn’t think a bit more before shotting. And why didn’t the friends help alert him? So sad.

2. Richard P. Noel October 12th, 2003 at 10:27 pm 2

   OMG! why not the officer use judgement before shooting? I guess that it was a poor judgement for officer. I suggest that the officers in any state should get more specific awarness about deaf community. So, the officers will be prepared to notify if deaf people can’t hear behind their scream. They will have to avoid of shooting and find a way to communicate with deaf people.

3. Haylee Hudson November 7th, 2003 at 12:17 am 3

   I just cant beleive that my good friend is gone! police should have shot other place like leg or arm not head! if his friends tell the police that he is deaf and why dont police calm down! and police are trained for situations like that and should not to shot some head, shot in hand make drop the gun, i am not police and i know that, by the way you police should know that if person is not responding to cop commands maybe he is deaf!! everyone is different!…I hope that police who killed him i hope she suffer her life and have feel like what she did to eagle! and his family!! he is so Inconnect, he only steal BEER not violent!, you police should have use your brain first step before take young teenager!

4. Samantha November 9th, 2003 at 4:06 pm 4

   Myself I’m deaf I just can’t that the police shot a deaf teen maybe the teen didn’t understand what was being said . I myself have some problems understanding what an hearing person is saying. I thinks that the police should learn american sign languange as part of their training and if they come into a situation with a deaf person they can communicate with them u know what I mean. Thats just wrong when the police shot that 15 yr old teen in the head.

5. Me February 5th, 2004 at 5:36 pm 5

   Police are not trained to shoot in the arms or legs. It would be impossible to shoot such a target with any accuracy under the stress. Absolutely impossible. Deadly force should be delivered quickly and with maximum effectiveness. This means a head shot or shooting at center mass. When a gun, or something that looks very much like a gun, is displayed there is no time to discuss the situation. Gun in hand means gun in use. The officer did his job very well in the case and it’s unfortunate the deaf teenager put himself in this situation. Now the officer and the moron teens family have to live with his decision forever.

6. Anonymous February 28th, 2004 at 9:33 pm 6

   I believe that police officers should not shot people if they are deaf or they are just ignoring the instructions. I do not favour shooting at all. Howvever, the people in law enforcement are meant to represent everyone including deaf people. Unfortunately no formal training was given to many of police officers regarding deafness. This will only make deaf people fear the police officers.

7. Larry April 3rd, 2004 at 12:02 am 7

   The Police should be trained to understand the deafness. they need to learn the sign lanuage. If they want to shoot people, why not go to middle east and look for the terriost org and get rid of them. If they don’t want to go to the middle east. Why not use the stunning gun with the taser i think that would be the best and the person wil be alive. would not have to use the club. Just the taser stuning gun.

8. Larry April 3rd, 2004 at 12:03 am 8

   The Police should be trained to understand the deafness. they need to learn the sign lanuage. If they want to shoot people, why not go to middle east and look for the terriost org and get rid of them. If they don’t want to go to the middle east. Why not use the stunning gun with the taser i think that would be the best and the person wil be alive. would not have to use the club. Just the taser stuning gun.

9. cheryl April 22nd, 2004 at 2:00 pm 9

   i hope pray,,this, gets,,,, resolved,,,my only child was wrongfully,,murderd shot,,,and , justice , needs,,to,, be,, done,,,thiers , to,much,, going on and nothing gets done to, people in, the systems we have rights,,,,god bless , everyone,,,,www.geocities.com/stacey_19831998/memorial.html

10. cheryl April 22nd, 2004 at 2:38 pm 10

    hello, i am, cheryl,, all,, people in ky that police involving things with shooting things send to me, my friend susan,,, my son was shot murderd in kentucky we want to fight fore justice fore our children in ky,,, mama_sue2003@yahoo.com

11. Joey July 17th, 2004 at 10:21 am 11

    My god people, you all must be crazy. When a police officer is confronted by a person who has just committed a crime, then that person whips out a concealed gun and starts waving the damn thing around, the police must take take immediate action to end that threat, saving their lifes, and the lifes of other innocent bystanders. So the guy was deaf, so what. That doesnt even matter. A deaf man can kill you just as quickly, and as easily as a not so deaf man. Believe it or not people, I bet there have even been cases where a deaf person has killed someone. Now, the police must meet the level of force they are confronted with one step higher. This means that these officers were confronted with deadly force. The fact that it was actually a BB gun does not matter, because we all know that BB guns look identical to real guns, so in everyones mind, in that situatuation this guy had just pulled a real gun. There is no time to stand around and try to communicate with this guy. The threat must be ended, and now, before this guy kills someone. Sad yes, but shooting this guy was the correct solution to this situation. Can you imagine how many officers would be dead if after someone pulled out a gun, they took time to try to figure out if this guy is deaf or not, or if this guy is mentally retarded or not, or if this guy is blind or not, or if this guy is just a cold blooded killer who is going to enjoy watching me lying on the ground dying in front of him after he pulls that trigger. Get real people, you all have the luxury of never knowing what its like having to do a cops job. And its something that no one can ever know with out ever actually doing it. Dont make stupid comments like, “well they should have used a stun gun” or “well they could have just shot him in the leg” Thats just stupid. So the guy has a shot up leg, he will still kill you, he just wont be able to runaway very fast. The stun gun comment is just asinine.

12. Taxidriver October 7th, 2005 at 2:07 am 12

    Police shoot a lot of people unnecessarily. And the comments justifying this shooting are outrageous. “…actually doing a cops job…” And police aren’t trained to do head shots either. It’s very possible for me to shoot a person anywhere I want, but the torso is the easiest target. And I’d certainly hesitate rather than be such a coward as many police are. Police kill people because they can get away with it, and do so over far-fetched imaginary threats, but if the victim is dead the complaint is officially over with, and fools will rally to support the pathetic police procedures.

    There are some places that the police don’t go, and people get along fine. The value of police is an exaggeration, a fantasy. Police are often nasty bastards that bully innocent people, and rather than prevent crime they just take reports after it’s happened. If crime is the issue to solve, then social interraction would be the focus of attention, but it is ignored. Force and punishment have more of a negative effect than benefit. More police will eventually theaten ‘Freedom’ and the safety of some of the very people who ask for them.

    I had the most dangerous public contact job in America, and never had any use for police. Police usefullness is an illusion (’what if’ bullshit), and when they kill citizens it’s an atrocity. We need less police, and more restraints upon police.