Let’s start with this: “I think it’s reasonable to think that the officers perceived an immediate threat either to themselves or continued threat to that individual [across the street].” That’s Sgt. Jason Ramos’ take on his officers decision to shoot a young man standing across the street from police arresting a neighbor for allegedly “firing up to 100 machine gun rounds at a home across the street, killing a dog inside the house.” I guess Sgt. Ramos isn’t the type to “wait for the results of the investigation.” Anyway, the gentleman perforated by the po-po, one Danny Sanchez, was “aiming a camera phone at the cops when they opened fire.” Thankfully . . .
the Sacramento PD’s marksmanship wasn’t entirely accurate. Despite unleashing an unknown number of rounds – more than one and no more than their guns held – cops responding to the “man with a gun” incident “only” managed to shoot Mr. Sanchez in the leg. According to Mr. Sanchez’ father, some of the bullets “went right through the paneling and hit my car and they kept going and went out the other side of the wall.”
As indicated above [via sacramento.cbslocal.com], Sgt. Ramos was unrepentent.
“He found himself in the midst of things and some of his actions were perceived to be threatening to law-enforcement officers,” Ramos said.
Ramos says officers fired several shots, hitting Danny in the leg.
“They told him they were sorry that he got shot and everything, that they made a mistake,” Sanchez said.
D’oh! Doesn’t the SPD teach its officers not to admit liability about anything, ever? That’s going to cost the City some serious coin methinks. I guess it’s important to note that the alleged machine gunner was arrested without incident. You know; before the cops shot Mr. Sanchez. Sarcasm aside, honest mistake?
[h/t Pascal]