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LabRat wrote:There are always two sides to any story and usually more than that - all need to be examined before drawing a conclusion.

LabRat

LabRat wrote:

Keith B wrote:

LabRat wrote:A news report I read stated the officer approached to do a "pedestrian check". What is that? Did he have a suspicion that a crime was in process or about to be committed? Why would he do a "pedestrian check"? Is walking now illegal or suspicious?

I reserve judgement on the "thug" descriptor till more information comes to light. I've become less and less willing to automatically give the officer the benefit of the doubt in these days and times.

LabRat

[Edit] to add: http://www.buzzfeed.com/jimdalrympleii/ ... -c#24e9da6

From that article:
"There have been several other pedestrian checks that led to police shootings in St. Louis over the past few years.
Police did not offer any explanation of what a “pedestrian check” entails.."[End edit]

The Shaw Neighborhood in St. Louis is a very high crime area and a place you do NOT want to be at night. You can see the amount of crime in just the past 30 days alone here http://spotcrime.com/mo/st.+louis/shaw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If the officer approached the individuals for a check, there was more than likely reasonable suspicion that something was going on. Apparently, the suspicions were right if the guy ran and then shot back at the officer as reported by the police. Police say they recovered a Ruger handgun from the subject.

Crime is everywhere and people commit crimes. However just being in a place doesn't make one a criminal. Where you give the officer presumptive credit, I'll continue to wait for all facts to come out. If it's as high crime as you say, finding a gun might be easy. I'll wait for the ballistics to confirm if that find is relevant.

LabRat