| |
Bertram31.com General Bulletin Board
Re: Tragedy in Boston
Posted By: Greg A. In Response To: Tragedy in Boston (Harv)
Date: Saturday, 23 October 2004, at 8:19 p.m.
Saw the story on the local news, Very tragic. I have experience with those pepper balls, they are nearly identical to a paintball, filled with dry powered O.C., which the same stuff in pepper spray but in powder form. Goal is to aim at the lower chest/abdomen. When it hits, it explodes the poweder into a plume that envelopes the suspects face disabling him.
As out depts. firearms instr, I was not in favor of them. First, in NJ, ANYHING fired from the muzzel of a gun is considered deadly force. If I'm in a deadly force situation, I'm sure as hell not going to be shooting a ball of pepper. Second, for the exact reason the tragedy happened, accidents happen. No matter what "Less Lethal" force you use, there is ALWAYS some risk of serious injury or death. As in this case, the Officer with the pepper ball gun either aimed too high, or flinched upon firing, or whatever the reason, missed his target area on the chest and the girl was struck in the eye. NO LESS LETHAL force is LESS LETHAL if used in the face/head.
Sounds as if a tragic accident happened, and I feel for the family of the girl, and the officer who firedthe letahl round. I give much respect to the Boston Pd for thier stance in taking full responsibility, and I hope they assist the family as well as the officer involved.
Large unruly groups and mobs are VERY dangerous places to be...for those being unruly, the police, and the spectators.
| |
Bertram31.com General Bulletin Board is maintained by Patrick McCrary with WebBBS 5.12.