As long as cops take the attitude that any civilian they encounter who is not completely and instantly submissive, and conclusively disarmed, is likely to shoot them, this sort of thing is going to happen.
Given the number of shootings of police vs. shootings by police, it seems their risk analysis is flawed.
The man was standing on the side of the road, Smith said, when he called out to the officers: "Police, police."
'Smith said investigators would explore all possibilities, including whether the man needed some type of help from police. He said investigators would also look into the man's background to see if there were any indications the shooting was an attempted "suicide by cop."'
What? He might have called out to the police because he needed help? Inconceivable!
Just that very paragraph indicates the sort of "guilty until proven innocent" attitude that leads to this kind of situation.
Originally shared by +Les Jenkins:
There was a time I'd ask the police for help if I were injured. I think that time has passed.
Man with towel-wrapped arm shot by LAPD in Los Feliz was unarmed
Los Angeles police ;shot and critically wounded a man after he raised his arm, wrapped in a towel, toward officers Friday in Los Feliz, police said.
As I've said for decades; only call the cops if you are willing to make the bargain that you or other people may end up dead. So, if the situation is guaranteed death vs possible death, then that is a good time to call the cops.
Other times to call the cops is if your car or house have been burglarized; but only because you'll need that for your insurance since they will not actually do anything other than that. Dead bodies are a good time to call the cops, but be aware they might be a bit shooty as well.