All I need to see (St. Louis Shooting)

[classof56]

200. TTW, I appreciate your reply.

In a couple of months I'll be 77, so maybe there's hope that someday I'll figure out an "intelligent question", as you put it. Nothing much shocks me anymore when it comes to language (I'm a writer), however, I'm guessing I can craft my questions without using the "F" word. But that's just me.

While your questions are certainly valid, mine had to do with the fact that the OP made it sound as if the 18-year-old shot by the police officer had a criminal history, therefore validating the officer's decision to shoot him dead. What I wondered was, did the policeman know all that when he pulled the trigger? Yes, even I in my dotage can figure out that someone pointing a gun at you may be reason enough to shoot, but lately it seems the immediate reaction to such events is to talk about the victim's history and leap to the conclusion that his death was somehow totally justified. To me, that is predominantly right-wing rhetoric, illustrative of their lack of compassion and understanding, and I tend to take issue with that. Perhaps if the officer in this case had worn his body cam, or even activated his patrol car cam, things might be clearer. Again, I simply wonder if prior acts by the victim actually warranted the death penalty. However, as you point out, if suicide by cop was his goal, clearly he got what he wanted. Reasons behind his actions notwithstanding, to me this incident and the aftermath serve as another example of how the gap that divides us as a nation is ever-widening, which saddens my old soul.

I sense that you are a compassionate and caring person who wants to make this a better world. That is greatly to be admired, and it's my goal as well, for my grandchildren and all the young people in whose hands the future rests.

Blessings and peace.