Keystone Cops

[Gromit]

The loon who went on the rampage at the Empire State Building was an amateur. It turns out that most of the victims were shot by the cops. 9 wounded by 'friendly fire'.

Embarrassing somewhat?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...ld-us-canada-19380492

[emmie]

perhaps they were somewhat trigger happy, but a gunman on the loose in New York City, who would blame them, 9/11 has left a deep scar on the city and it's people. Sure that had the same happened here around the Houses of Parliament, the armed police may well have done the same, seeing how many people congregate around that area.

[jake-the-peg]

Who would blame them?

I would

I suspect you might if it was you that they shot too!

Occasional accidents happen under such circumstances but 9?

Are you kidding me?

[anotheoldgit]

Oh yes the police purposely injured innocent bystanders??????????????

These anti-police ABers will go to any lengths to blame the police rather than those who force the police to take action.

Apparently the so called 'amateur' had hid behind a vehicle and let off 5 shots which 'KILLED' Steve Ercolino, this killer had got to be stopped and the only way would be to fire shots towards him.

As em10 has already pointed out in a crowded area such as in the vicinity of the Empire State building, when bullets are flying is it any wonder that some may ricochet in all directions, and persons nearby can be injured either by the bullets or fragments of what they strike?

[jake-the-peg]

So AOG

exactly how many civillians are you willing to shoot?

9 obvously is OK

20? 30?

Maybe an RPG would get him if collateral damage isn't an issue

Where are you drawing the line?

[hc4361]

Better to have the 9 slightly injured by police rather than one more dead by the lunatic gunman, don't you think?

[anotheoldgit]

jake-the-peg

Since you obviously are something of an expert in these matters, perhaps you would care to enlighten us all by explaining how you would have approached this situation, bearing in mind that the next bullet could be coming your way?

[Gromit]

It really is pathetic how some members of the public will forgive sheer incompetence if it is done by someone in a uniform. Whether it is bombing a school in Afghanistan, shooting a Brazilian in the head half a dozen times or attacking a newspaper seller from behind with a baton, you can guatantee that someone will write it is an acceptable consequence of keeping us safe. It isn't. It is people being crap at their job.

[emmie]

not all apparently were shot by the police. If nine bystanders had been shot dead would have said you have a point.

http://www.cbsnews.co...re-highlight-dangers/

[Hopkirk]

The Americans are always trigger happy.

[emmie]

perhaps, but gromit seems to think all cops are deranged killers, going on other posts.

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

Since JTP failed to answer this question, and seeing that you also seem an expert on the subject I will repeat it for you.

/// Since you obviously are something of an expert in these matters, perhaps you would care to enlighten us all by explaining how you would have approached this situation, bearing in mind that the next bullet could be coming your way? ///

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

/// It really is pathetic how some members of the public will forgive sheer incompetence if it is done by someone in a uniform. ///

Oh so it's the uniform is it then?

Perhaps it would be quite in order for plain clothes secret police, something on the style of the Gestapo or the KGB?

[Baldric]

The Americans have a very impressive record of friendly fire incidents,
going for Gold perhaps?

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

This happened in New York yes?

Then please let me remind you of your take up on the South African Massacre when you stated:

/// 34 corpses. ///

/// Must have been a pretty lumpy carpet. ///

/// No one is talking about it because it is a long way away. ///

Isn't New York also a long way away?

[Gromit]

// gromit seems to think all cops are deranged killers, going on other posts. //

Would you care to link to an example.

[Gromit]

No rush em10,

tomorrow will do for an example to substantiate your accusation.

[Gromit]

Is it taking you a while to find an example Em10?