Leutz was on patrol near the 2500 block of East Yesler Way around 3 a.m. when he saw two teenage boys acting suspiciously, according to the department. When the teens ran, he chased them in his car to South Washington Street and 26th Avenue South.
Leutz then shined a spotlight on the youths and ordered them to put their hands up, police said.
One boy, a 14-year-old, complied, police said. But the other, a 13-year-old, acted "very agitated" and didn't listen to the officer, who repeated his orders several times, said Deputy Chief John Diaz.
The younger boy took off his jacket and threw it on the ground, then lifted up his T-shirt, reached into a pocket and pulled out a black object. The teen then moved toward the officer, police said.
Believing the boy had a gun, the officer fired twice, striking the boy in the lower and upper leg. The black object was later found to be a cellphone in a black case.
2007-10-16 11:58:18 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
He should have complied to the offficers orders. Any motion, hand movement or agitated body movements will cause an officer to fire to protect himself,period. Respect the law at all times.
2007-10-16 12:25:05 · answer #1 · answered by badfroggy 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the idiot shouldn't have run, and after screwing that up, he shouldn't have pulled out on object that could have been a gun for all the officer knew; but I don't know why he was shooting at his legs. Chest 2, then 1 between the eyes is how its done.
2007-10-16 19:04:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Being in security myself I know as an Officer in security, that split second decisions have to be made. Hopefully no one gets hurt. Just neutralizing the perp and securing the scene.
Officers of the Law must make hard tough split second decisions in legal deadly force situations. Only in " life threading situations " can an officer use deadly force.
I don't know if I answered your question or if I made any sense
of any thing..... I hoped I helped ?
Best Wishes,
Wood
2007-10-16 19:14:18 · answer #3 · answered by woodster 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, that's only one side of the story; but presuming the report is accurate, then yes the officer was justified in shooting the boy. In fact, the boy is very lucky he was struck in the leg, rather than the chest.
2007-10-16 19:03:33 · answer #4 · answered by Beardog 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes. When a police officer orders you to do something, do it or suffer the consequences.
2007-10-16 19:03:19 · answer #5 · answered by regerugged 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely justified. If you are going to act stupid like that and then pull something black out of your pocket you deserve to get your butt shot.
2007-10-16 19:03:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the punk is lucky to be alive, according to your scenario.
2007-10-16 19:02:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
The cop should be suspended for only shooting twice. I would have emptied my mag, reloaded, and emptied that one too
2007-10-16 19:08:27 · answer #8 · answered by LEO53 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋