CHL holder killed by police in Las Vegas at a Costco

[Hoi Polloi]

We may be waiting awhile to find out what actually happened in this incident. According to the article in this link the video will not be released by police until after the coroner's inquest is complete sometime in September.

http://www.8newsnow.com/global/story.asp?s=12801643" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Serious question: why does it take 2-3 months for a coroner to say the guy died by gun shots? Document the trajectory and you're done. What else is there?

A coroner's inquest is different than an autopsy. Similar to a trial, they call witnesses to testify. I imagine the county attorney needs time to examine the evidence and prepare. In addition to the autopsy, I am sure that they will do alcohol and drug tests on the deceased. Sometimes that can take several weeks to get the lab reports. It also gives time for the furor about the shooting to subside.

Very interesting! Thank you.

[seamusTX]

It also gives time for the furor about the shooting to subside.

Bingo!

- Jim

[Charles L. Cotton]

We may be waiting awhile to find out what actually happened in this incident. According to the article in this link the video will not be released by police until after the coroner's inquest is complete sometime in September.

http://www.8newsnow.com/global/story.asp?s=12801643" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In Texas, video is routinely released shortly after the incident. In the case of Houston officers allegedly beating a burglary suspect, the tape will not be released until it is shown during the trial of the officers and this decision is drawing a lot of criticism from the public.

I wondered what was common practice in Nevada generally and in Las Vegas specifically. Based upon the comments to article Keith linked, it's pretty much like here in Texas. So it really begs the question; if the video exonerates the officers, why on earth not release it now and end the speculation that is unfair to everyone involved -- the officers, their department, and the family of the deceased? Perhaps the video supports the witness' statement quoted in the article. He was standing next to the victim when he was killed.

Some folks here have given very good advice about how to respond when facing a chaotic situation involving multiple and conflicting orders by police. However, it appears the victim didn't have a chance to respond. Remember, one of the eye witnesses said he (Erik) didn't even have time to respond before he was shot.

The sad fact is, if the officers had followed the standard procedure Excalibur set out, this never would have happened.

One thing is certain; I'll never step foot in Nevada again, unless it is business related and absolutely necessary.

Chas.

[A-R]

The sad fact is, if the officers had followed the standard procedure Excalibur set out, this never would have happened.

I'd also like to thank Excaliber for his excellent insight into these types of situations. As well as you, Charles, and Wild Bill for info from the legal/aftermath angles. Really helps us all understand these situations a bit better to have such excellent expert guidance. [/quote]

One thing is certain; I'll never step foot in Nevada again, unless it is business related and absolutely necessary.

Chas.

Charles, curious if you think this could end up leading to an NRA action or stance? Meaning if it's shown that the police over-reacted, could NRA come down hard on Las Vegas with some sort of protest or boycott? How many million NRA members? That's a lot of lost revenue in the slot machines.

Before I write this next question, I want to state unequivocally that I am NOT in ANY WAY trying to add a racial element to this discussion, merely comparing the hypothetical reactions of different large national political organizations .... that caveat being said, you can bet if the victim had been a young black man the NAACP, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton etc would be calling for a boycott of Las Vegas - regardless of whether it is determined the police actually over-reacted.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Charles, curious if you think this could end up leading to an NRA action or stance? Meaning if it's shown that the police over-reacted, could NRA come down hard on Las Vegas with some sort of protest or boycott? How many million NRA members? That's a lot of lost revenue in the slot machines.

I don't see anything to be done. If the shooting was lawful, then that's the end of it. If it was not, then the actions of the officers violated state and federal statutes and provide for a civil suit under §1983. There's really nothing else to do since there are avenues of recourse available.

Chas.

[seamusTX]

you can bet if the victim had been a young black man the NAACP, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton etc would be calling for a boycott of Las Vegas

Police officers shoot colored men every day. Most are justifiable shootings. Nobody protests except the families that swear their choir boy was on his was to Bible study when he just happened to steal a car or rob a convenience store and engage in a high-speed chase.

The smallest twist in the reporting of this story would have people saying, "The cops shot an armed lunatic, so what?" Some of the respondents in this thread are already blaming the dead man.

- Jim

[seniorshooteress]

With AR. If the victim had been a person of color there would be a rally, protesters outside the police station and all kinds of media coverage, on getting videos released, etc. But until we can actually see videos (hopefully not photo-shopped) of the incident, we can't really know for sure what happened. In this case the general public may never know. Las Vegas had never been on my list of places to visit so I can't scratch it off my 'bucket list'. If it had been on my list it would have a big red X on it now though. Maybe it is safer in the casinos than in a shopping area. Security in the casinos would have probably reacted differently. Those comments I read where some thought the victims family was fast to get a lawyer and file a law suit, stating the family is out to collect a bundle on the death of a loved one, I don't understand. Why should the family wait? Just exactly what would those people making those comments do if it were their loved one? It is not greed, it is getting justice and finding out the truth. If the 'truth' is on the side of the LEO, then the family loses the law suit. If not the city of Las Vegas will be raising taxes to pay the family. I am wondering how whoever made the 911 call and embellished the situation feels now.

[baldeagle]

I am wondering how whoever made the 911 call and embellished the situation feels now.

And I'm betting they think their overreaction was justified.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

The reason special interest groups are so good at "rallying the troops" to protest is because they pay students and unemployeed people to protest. They have databases of people in large metropolitan areas and when an event occurs that peaks their interest, they call up people that have signed up to get paid to go down and march.

Back on topic, reguardless of who is at fault, I pray for the families of the dead man and the officers.

[Fangs]

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/orleans-polic ... 077&page=2

Kinda on topic... we're all human and people of every profession make mistakes. Then some people take responsibility and others try to hide it. Sometimes those people get caught out.

[CodeJockey]

One thing is certain; I'll never step foot in Nevada again, unless it is business related and absolutely necessary.

Chas.

Charles, I couldn't agree with you more. If I hadn't booked a trip for my anniversary for my wife and I to Vegas in August with non-refundable tickets, I'd be cancelling. This will certainly be my last trip to NV unless I have no choice but to go.

[Mike1951]

If the truth eventually verifies Costco's overreaction, then a boycott of Costco with the accompanying letter writing campaign would most definitely be appropriate.

But y'all would have to do it. I don't have a Costco within an hour's drive.

[seniorshooteress]

If the truth eventually verifies Costco's overreaction, then a boycott of Costco with the accompanying letter writing campaign would most definitely be appropriate.

But y'all would have to do it. I don't have a Costco within an hour's drive.

But I don't have a membership to Costco either.

[Oldgringo]

One thing is certain; I'll never step foot in Nevada again, unless it is business related and absolutely necessary.

Chas.

Charles, I couldn't agree with you more. If I hadn't booked a trip for my anniversary for my wife and I to Vegas in August with non-refundable tickets, I'd be cancelling. This will certainly be my last trip to NV unless I have no choice but to go.

"Don't judge the book by the cover" - Bo Diddly sung that. Las Vegas is in Nevada, it is not Nevada. Similarly, Chicago is in Illinois, it is not Illinois, etc., etc.

Yes, I did live in Nevada once upon a time - some 400 miles north of Vegas and a 100 miles south of Reno. There was great hunting, great stream fishing and delightful people in Yerington, NV back then. Likewise, I went 2-11 grade in deep Southern Illinois some 300 miles south of Chicago and went back to Illinois to work in a steel mill in Alton, IL upon graduation from the Univ. of Tenn. Granted, this all happened many, many moons ago and I have no plans to return to either state.

[C-dub]

The results will be interesting. It seems out of character for this guy to have drawn or even pointed his gun at the officers.