Virginia Police Kill Man By Mistake

A Fairfax County, Virginia, Police Officer shot and killed an unarmed man by mistake.  I used to live in that part of the country and I know that the Fairfax County PD is highly-trained, well-funded, and well-run.  The facts aren't in yet, but I guarantee this comes down to one thing the officer forgot to do: keep your finger off the fucking trigger.  (HT: Balko)

Comments

[Matt]

Balko asks a good question - why was it necessary to have guns drawn in the first place? Maybe you have some perspective on that. I've heard an old rule that you should not draw your weapon unless you intend to use it. Do officers need to draw their weapons when there is no indication the suspect will be violent?

[carpundit]

Good question. The answer is that most cops executing felony warrants (even for non-violent crimes) will have their guns drawn *just in case* the subject turns violent. You never know who will react badly to being arrested.

Indeed, some hard-core criminals will surrender because they know they can survive five years in prison, whereas some white-collar first-timers reach for the shotgun because they know they can't survive prison time.

But you keep your finger off the trigger unless you're actually shooting.

[Matt]

Fair point. Of course, I don't think the state has any business arresting a citizen for gambling in the first place, so it is a tragedy on top of a tragedy.

[carpundit]

I agree about gambling law, at least as far as it reaches private, not-for-profit conduct.