Mach said:

This cop was convicted in the court of public opinion even before the 2nd video showed up. People are already speaking with such certainty nothing but an unjust shooting could have occurred.

Flowers2 said:

Ya, man. That's the way I see it too. One cop decided to just draw and shoot. Dude was definitely struggling...but I can't see how they can justify this shooting.

JustErin said:

i've watched 4 videos and i didnt see any struggling..

i watched from the time they hustled them from the train car to the final moment

sweet said:

I only watched the one that mars23 posted....looked like they were trying to get him down and he was trying to get up.

Hope they get the answers they need to get to the bottom of what really happened.

Here's another angle on the video:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi...MH.DTL&o=1

I don't believe the officer felt threatend, I don't believe he intended to shoot Oscar Grant at all, I do believe he may have mistaken his pistol for his taser in the heat of the moment (but that's a SERIOUS stretch!), I believe if he's carrying a Glock that those things go off far too easily (the safety mechanism is built into the trigger). I question how many years this man has been a BART Police Officer. IF this was an error it is an error of the most horrible kind.

Nothing in ANY of the half dozen video angles I've viewed tells me that this was in any way justified but based on the officer's reaction to his gun going off I do believe he made a horrible, deadly mistake.

I'm deeply saddened by this and I'm really sorry it happened in my hometown.

I believe that the officer meant to draw his taser and drew his firearm instead. The news this morning showed the scene from a different angle. You can see the officer's face and he is clearly shocked. From what I saw though, I don't even think a taser was justified. The young man was on the ground and on his stomache when he was shot.

RenHoek said:

i listened to a talk radio program yesterday and a caller called in and he said altho he felt it was possibly a mistake he questioned why this young father of a 4yr old child was out at 2am on new years eve?

as if to imply that the dead guy was partially to blame for his own demise

and there are also speculations that this particular officer didnt have a taser that night simply becuz they didnt have enough tasers for the amount of officers-this is a heavily policed night for oakland..keyword : speculations also adding to this the reason why the officer hasnt held his press conference yet

sweet said:

ALWAYS blaming the victim. To the point that they are so blinded by their blame game they become irrational acting like the entire WORLD isn't active at 2 AM on New Years. Makes me want to victimize those damn people.

.
[Edited 1/6/09 12:29pm]

sweet said:

Yeah there's a lot of speculatin' goin' on in the Town today...

as for his being out that night, what the hell difference does that make?? You just don't shoot facedown people in the back!!!

RenHoek said:

exactly! now i DO think it may have been an accidental shooting HOWEVER what is making me angry is all of the people trying to justify it by saying the guy wasnt complying/struggling/or being threatening

deadly mistakes DO happen-call it what it is (IF thats what it is)

sweet said:

You're not talking about in this thread, I hope.

I didn't see anyone say the cop's action was justified.

JustErin said:

no sorry i shoulda clarified that..i mentioned that i'd listened to our local talk shows yesterday/this morning

not this thread E

RenHoek said:

Exactly....plus I was out, in Oakland at 2:30 that night (at my wife's cousins house on 38th), does that make me some kind of criminal. And at least he was taking BART and not driving.

RenHoek said:

Exactly that's like saying that a woman deserved to be raped because the was wearing something provocative.

sweet said:

Unfortunately even arguing with a police officer or trying to explain yourself, gets you an added "resisting arrest" charge.

MIGUELGOMEZ said:

Fucking right. It's just not worth causing a scene. Go with it in real time then fight it later.

wow, what a sad ending. He should be sent away for life. Citizens are held to safe and proper decision making with firearms, law enforcement should be held to an even higher standard. To be able to just fire your weapon like that is reprehensible.

With that being said, if you ever find yourself NOT agreeing with anything an officer is saying or doing, don't resist. Argue your point AFTER the altercation. You are NOT going to win against the street patrol peasant, he WANTS you to act up so he can fuck you up. Not all of them, but why gamble??? Take the arrest and fight it in court.

So sad.

JustErin said:

Battle it out in court, not the streets where the officer has the advantage.

Sowhat said:

That's interesting,
police are only supposed to use their gun when there is the threat of another weapon being present.
If he was just resisting, he's supposed to use a taser or billy club (if they still use them) to subdue.

wildgoldenhoney said:

that's incorrect. Imminent danger to life or others. Any cop can say they were in fear for their lives. Police can pull their weapon just about whenever they want. I am NOT anti-cop, but I do believe cops have a bit TOO much power. Just about anyone can become one.

For those who are familiar with Oakland police, this isn't the first time.

There will be a protest on Wednesday at the Fruitvale BART station

bboy87 said:

Yo B what time? If it works I'mma try an be there...

RenHoek said:

at 3pm. I'm not going because I know it might turn into something else

bboy87 said:

Point taken...

What is "Bart" ??? Is that an county in Oakland???

kpowers said:

Bay

Area

Rapid

Transit

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Thank you

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Bart is fantastic transit actually