The questions surrounding a police shooting in a Nevada COSTCO continues. At the coroner’s inquest into the death of 38-year-old Erik Scott, police officer William Mosher [above] addressed a key line of enquiry: did Scott raise his weapon before police fired seven rounds, five of which went into Scott’s back? “[Officer Mosher] said he waved several citizens out of the way,” lasvegassun.com reports . . .
Holding his gun to his chest, he told Scott to turn around; as he did so, Mosher saw the gun in Scott’s waistband. Mosher said he yelled several commands. He saw that Scott’s eyes looked bloodshot. He noticed that Scott appeared to be “out of it.” He heard Scott say, “I have a gun.” When he saw that gun ‘come up,’ the five-year Metro veteran fired two rounds. Two other officers also fired, ultimately hitting Scott with seven bullets. Five went into his back.
Yes, BUT—
After homicide detectives responded to the scene and began investigating the officer-involved shooting, a number of items were recovered outside the store: Several shell casings, a cell phone, and a 9mm Kimber semiautomatic handgun.
The handgun was still in its holster.
Mosher testified that he didn’t know that the gun was in its holster at the time he fired. He said he owns the same type of holster, and the gun could be “easily fired” while in its holster.
Mosher testified that he didn’t recall what commands he’d given Scott. A 911 tape revealed that Mosher had told Scott to “drop the gun.” A gun the Scott family lawyer says Scott wasn’t holding. Until he was.
“In fact, he instructed Erik Scott to drop the gun,” [Ross] Goodman said. “So Erik Scott apparently took out the holster with the gun in it and it fell on the ground.
“Mosher’s going to remember whatever he wants to remember. The fact of the matter was that Erik Scott was surrounded by three officers. He turned around. He was compliant, according to officer Mosher. He was told to drop the gun and he did exactly that.”