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In Stockton, California, in December 2008, police chased a teenage male who had fled from a traffic stop at 2 a.m., crashed his car, and ran away on foot. They cornered the suspect in the back yard of a house in what police describe as a tough neighborhood.

A resident, one Melecio Arquines, came to his back door with a 9-mm pistol equipped with a laser sight. He reportedly aimed the laser at the struggling police officers, and was fatally shot.

The deceased was 30 years old, had a clean record, and was employed and married.

Investigations cleared the police of any wrongdoing.

In July, the widow of the deceased filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the police.

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I have three comments on this episode:

1. Opening a door at night with lights on inside makes one a perfect target. I don't know if that is what happened in this case, but it is what most people do if they're acting on habit.

2. Laser sights are not flashlights.

3. Outdoor lights are your friends.

- Jim

Sad, sad, sad. Following one basic rule could have changed the entire situation.

* Do not use a gun to identify a problem *

I don't turn on the inside light and I leave my overhead porch light off. I have those stake lights around the front porch of my house. Flipping on the porch light impairs my night vision, it is bad enough walking from a lit room. I have a bright enough flashlight to see across much of the yard (of course on six acres you need a spot light lol). The couple of times I had to check something outside I had my gun where it was not readily visible, but quickly movable.

Last time I had a noise outside that the dog reacted to though, it was a possum. The 1911 did a great job of knocking him out of the top of the tree. I should find myself a .22 for that sort of thing though.

seamusTX wrote:Investigations cleared the police of any wrongdoing.

In related news, grass is green, the sky is blue, and pancakes are yummy.

I would have to say this,"Never point your weapon unless you are absolutely sure you are going to fire it. And always be clear at what your target is. How did the police officers know whose house it was, it could have been the guy's friend or family protecting him, who knows? This is very unfortunate. Tough situation with a very sad outcome.

Well put Jim....