Comments | howardtayler: Oh, I'll go ahead and say it if YOU won't

howardtayler

Oh, I'll go ahead and say it if YOU won't

Feb 13, 2007 22:17

If you've missed it on the news, there was a shooting here in Utah Monday evening. An 18-year-old with a shotgun killed five before being cornered by Ken Hammond, an off-duty police officer who kept him pinned down with fire until uniformed officers arrived. It's not clear who fired the shot that killed Sulejmen Talovic, but the perp is dead, and ( Read more... )

Comments 58

kazuldragonfyre February 15 2007, 00:03:19 UTC

I would like to throw in a simple "thank you" to Howard and everyone who has commented here.

Thank you for being supportive of Officer Hammond's difficult decision.

Police officers catch the rough end from media and public opinion quite a bit, especially in cases of the use of deadly force or any situation involving a person under the age of 26. It seems that they can never make the "right" decision; either they respond too harshly by using deadly force, or they "did nothing". Knowing as many law enforcement officials as I do, it does my heart good to see that some still appreciate the difficult job they do.

Pray for the families. Pray for the wounded. Pray for healing.

moonsword22 February 15 2007, 06:25:54 UTC

In a situation like that, where the officer is presented with a choice between taking out a suspect/perpetrator using lethal force and letting the target present an imminent, lethal threat to others (most definitely including the officer!), there isn't a "right" decision. While sometimes a person can be talked down, that isn't always possible. Further, the life and safety of the victim is paramount to all other concerns, even the life of the officer; allowing them to be harmed simply isn't "right", either ( ... )

gurgi February 15 2007, 18:12:47 UTC

I disagree with your first scenario, and your supposition that there is no "right" choice...

The choice that ends the day with the most people alive and free of bullet wounds is the right decision...

_eljefe_ February 15 2007, 18:24:41 UTC

I think what he meant was more along the lines of there being no choice that is "right" for everyone. The right choice for those that lost family to the kid with the gun would have been if the off duty officer had shot earlier. The right choice for the family of the kid with the gun would have been if the officer had waited and talked the kid into surrendering.

The choice that ends the day with the most people alive and free of bullet wounds is the right decision...

change that to "the best we can do", and it is more accurate.

Thread 10

scrubbo February 15 2007, 19:01:06 UTC

I think the sanctity of life is total bullshit. The social contract we all agree to live and abide by provides protections for us. You should be able to live with a reasonable expectation that you won't get robbed, raped, or killed as long as you agree to do none of those things yourself ( ... )

moonsword22 February 15 2007, 21:59:47 UTC

I'm not glad he's dead, mind you, Scrubbo, but I'm also not saying that he didn't earn what he got. That he earned it at all is the part that I regret.

Other than that one specific point, I agree with a lot of your sentiments up there.

scrubbo February 15 2007, 22:25:41 UTC

By "glad" I don't mean I take any joy in the whole thing, but rather I feel that him getting killed saved a lot time and removed a potiential future problem. Sympathy for the plight of a person driven to crime should be directed to others in those situations, not the criminal. And my gladness is that any "What could drive a kid to do this?" won't be directed at trying to get this guy leniency, but could be directed at exposing the fundamental issues behind this kind of violence.

Of course, that probably won't happen. Ah well.

moonsword22 February 16 2007, 00:07:16 UTC

Point. Hopefully, someone will get the message and start paying attention. Things like this usually have detectable signs well in advance of the breaking point.

*sighs*

Here's hoping...

zenkitty_714 February 18 2007, 01:34:28 UTC

I'm glad that officer was there and was able and willing to take the necessary action. I feel so bad for that kid's poor family. What a horrible thing to have to live with.

Interesting Editorial kelloggs2066 February 20 2007, 17:05:45 UTC

Something I hadn't heard in the coverage:

Apparently the shooter was Muslim.

http://www.investors.com/editorial/editorialcontent.asp?secid=1501&status=article&id=256521423294106