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Sheriff’s deputy mistakes pistol for Taser
Man reluctant to leave tree is shot, reportedly says, ‘Ow, that hurt’
Updated: 6:50 p.m. PT June 23, 2006
BREMERTON, Wash. - A sheriff's deputy who was trying to get a man down from a tree shot and wounded him after mistakenly pulling a gun instead of a Taser, authorities say.
The deputy, a five-year veteran of the force whose name was not released, was placed on leave while Thursday's shooting is investigated.
Deputies carry both a Taser and a gun on their utility belts. The Taser, or stun gun, is similar in shape to the compact .40-caliber gun the deputy carried, sheriff's spokesman Scott Wilson said.
The victim was listed in satisfactory condition.
The man had climbed a fig tree and stayed there for hours, talking to himself. Deputies were unsure whether he was intoxicated or psychotic, and they wanted to get him down before he hurt himself or others, Wilson said.
Deputies and rescue workers tried to coax him down for almost two hours, during which he became increasingly hostile, said David Blakeslee, an employee at an auto repair shop nearby.
Blakeslee said the man climbed down on his own after getting shot.
Link doesn't work Shane. But, I'd think it sucks just a little more for the victim.
Link works now!
Yes and no. The victim was in satisfactory condition. So while being shot sucks he will likely get a huge settlement from the dept. as well as sue the officer and have no real physical problems from it.
The officer now may well lose his job and his career as well as lose everything he owns.
Sorry but I would take the former rather than the latter!
__________________
“They said the road comes through Seattle. We came through here and took care of business.” Anquan Boldin
I guess the question is, if they were afraid he would hurt himself...why would the cop think shooting him with anything would result in less harm?
Oh you are exactly right. On my department if I tased someone in a tree I would at a minimum be getting a mandatory unpaid vacation. You tase this guy and he falls 15 or 20 feet out of a tree and lands on the ground. Definitely not the smartest decision. Is easily against standard policy.
__________________
“They said the road comes through Seattle. We came through here and took care of business.” Anquan Boldin
Last edited by Shane H; June 24th, 2006 at 01:11 PM.
Yes and no. The victim was in satisfactory condition. So while being shot sucks he will likely get a huge settlement from the dept. as well as sue the officer and have no real physical problems from it.
The officer now may well lose his job and his career as well as lose everything he owns.
Sorry but I would take the former rather than the latter!
Good point, but I don't think that will happen. He may get sued, but since the man put the officer in that predictiment he must bare some of the responsibility. I do feel for the cop, hopefully he didn't mean to use his gun. Are they really that simular?
Oh you are exactly right. On my department if I tased someone in a tree I would at a minimum be getting a mandatory unpaid vacation. You tase this guy and he falls 15 or 20 fet out of a tree and lands on the ground. Definitely not the smartest decision. Is easily against standard policy.
Good! I was wondering what the thinking was there.
Good point, but I don't think that will happen. He may get sued, but since the man put the officer in that predictiment he must bare some of the responsibility. I do feel for the cop, hopefully he didn't mean to use his gun. Are they really that simular?
Yes they are similar in feel. But they look completely different. The only problem is as a cop you most likely dont look at what your drawing.
My taser X-26 has bright yellow on it. My department specifically makes us carry the taser on the weak side to prevent such a mistake.
__________________
“They said the road comes through Seattle. We came through here and took care of business.” Anquan Boldin
Do you need a license to shoot someone out of a tree? North of Fresno,real close to Yosemite Park a guy came home to see his wife high up in a tree with a bear trying to get to her.He goes in the house,gets his gun and shoots the bear out of the tree.He is fined $500.00 for shooting a bear out of season.True story.
Yes they are similar in feel. But they look completely different. The only problem is as a cop you most likely dont look at what your drawing.
My taser X-26 has bright yellow on it. My department specifically makes us carry the taser on the weak side to prevent such a mistake.
I thought ALL tasers had some sort of demarcation, be it yellow, orange or green, that would distinguish it from your service pistol. How could this stupid "error" be made if while taking aim, there is a bright color on the "barrel"? Do they even make all black or all nickel plated tasers?
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North of Fresno,real close to Yosemite Park a guy came home to see his wife high up in a tree with a bear trying to get to her.He goes in the house,gets his gun and shoots the bear out of the tree.He is fined $500.00 for shooting a bear out of season.True story.
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