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This incident happened a few months ago so apologies if it has already been covered, but news of it has flared up today as the police report has become public. It can be found here
Articles:
Texas man fatally shot by Mesa officer begged for life
Daniel Shaver update: Officer Philip Brailsford describes moments before he fatally shot unarmed man - ABC15 Arizona
Absolutely terrifying that all it takes is a cop with an itchy trigger finger and boom. That's it, life's over. Brailsford's dept issued gun was found to have "You're F-----" inscribed on it.
Shaver was crying on his hands and knees and following police instructions to crawl towards them, when one of the officers seemed to judge that he was going for a weapon and shot him five times.
“The movement of SHAVER’s right arm in the recording was a very similar motion to someone drawing a pistol from their waist band,” the report reads. However, it continues, “SHAVER’s underwear were clearly visible and it appeared his shorts had fallen partially down his leg at that point. SHAVER’s motion was also consistent with attempting to pull his shorts up as they were falling off.”
A judge has ordered that the police bodycams of the instance not be released to the public. Whilst the officer in question has been charged with second degree murder, talks are ongoing for a plea deal for negligent homicide.
My thoughts:
1) Why did they not do a search of him the moment he was on the ground? Is normal police procedure to have them crawl around like dogs before bothering to search them for weapons?
2) Shaver did everything the police asked him (except try to pull up his pants) yet was still shot. That's terrifying. Why did they not cuff him?
3) Why does shoot first, ask questions later seem to be a prevailing method amongst US police?
4) Shaver was white, so obviously a case of police brutality not pertaining to African Americans, and hasn't seen quite the spotlight of other incidents.
Articles:
Texas man fatally shot by Mesa officer begged for life
Daniel Shaver update: Officer Philip Brailsford describes moments before he fatally shot unarmed man - ABC15 Arizona
A Texas man fatally shot by a Mesa police officer in January was heard begging for his life moments before his death, according to a police report released Tuesday morning.
A witness and a transcription of officer video footage describe Daniel Shaver saying “Please don’t shoot me” and “Please don’t shoot,” just before an officer later identified as Philip "Mitch" Brailsford fired his service weapon.
Brailsford has been charged with second-degree murder and terminated from the Mesa Police Department.
Absolutely terrifying that all it takes is a cop with an itchy trigger finger and boom. That's it, life's over. Brailsford's dept issued gun was found to have "You're F-----" inscribed on it.
Shaver was crying on his hands and knees and following police instructions to crawl towards them, when one of the officers seemed to judge that he was going for a weapon and shot him five times.
“The movement of SHAVER’s right arm in the recording was a very similar motion to someone drawing a pistol from their waist band,” the report reads. However, it continues, “SHAVER’s underwear were clearly visible and it appeared his shorts had fallen partially down his leg at that point. SHAVER’s motion was also consistent with attempting to pull his shorts up as they were falling off.”
A judge has ordered that the police bodycams of the instance not be released to the public. Whilst the officer in question has been charged with second degree murder, talks are ongoing for a plea deal for negligent homicide.
My thoughts:
1) Why did they not do a search of him the moment he was on the ground? Is normal police procedure to have them crawl around like dogs before bothering to search them for weapons?
2) Shaver did everything the police asked him (except try to pull up his pants) yet was still shot. That's terrifying. Why did they not cuff him?
3) Why does shoot first, ask questions later seem to be a prevailing method amongst US police?
4) Shaver was white, so obviously a case of police brutality not pertaining to African Americans, and hasn't seen quite the spotlight of other incidents.