“The [911 caller] had told Vancouver police that he spotted 59-year-old John Kendall in the 700 block of Northeast Blanford Drive,” kgw.com reports. “A manhunt was under way at the time for Kendall, who deputies said had shot his neighbor earlier that morning.” Things went dramatically downhill from there. “Investigators then confirmed Kendall’s cell phone was in the immediate area according to the Vancouver Police Department. A SWAT team arriving at the scene spotted a man who matched Kendall’s description. They were unaware that the citizen who called 911 was still there . . .
“Law enforcement personnel watched as the citizen (believed to be Kendall) exited his vehicle and circled behind his trunk,” police explained. “Fearing that he armed himself, law enforcement fired multiple shots at the individual in order to stop the perceived threat before the citizen could enter the woods.”
Wait. What? The SWAT team shot at the wrong guy because they thought the right guy would escape? I’m no cop, but this “stop him before he goes in the woods” ballistic solution doesn’t strike me as a justifiable use of lethal force – even though the right guy was wanted for murder. I wonder how many rounds were expended in this proscriptive fusillade Anyway . . .
The man was shot in the leg. He took cover behind a gravel pile and fired a shot back, then he called 911 again, this time to report that he had been shot.
Officers made contact with the man and provided first aid until he was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Kendall was found nearby a short time later with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was dead before police arrived, but he and his vehicle were obscured from the view of the SWAT team, according to the police statement.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: if you’re ever in a defensive gun use it ain’t over until the cops arrive – and don’t shoot you. Take all appropriate steps to make sure that doesn’t happen, including leaving the scene. [h/t TP]