Annoyed

I saw the video today of a man being shot in the back and killed as he ran away from a police officer. His crime? a faulty brake light on his car.

The BBC report states:

"A white South Carolina police officer has been charged with murder after video emerged of him shooting a black man running away from him."

What the heck has skin colour got to to do with it?

I'm just grateful that our UK police officers are not routinely armed.

 

I think they're mentioning it because the U.S. has had a lot of cases like this lately, unarmed blacks being shot by police.

But I think I understand your point. Most people would be, first and foremost, alarmed that an unarmed man was shot in the back.

 

Agree, and skin colour might have something to do with it in South Carolina (acknowledging I may be stereotyping as much as the BBC are)

 

can't they use some electric shock device instead of using a gun?

 

Until the video came to light as proof of what actually happened, the Officer (when reporting man down) claimed the man had taken his tazer (implying he was in fear of his safety), which suggests that they do carry those as an option.

 

Depends on where you live and on cultural relations.

 

South Carolina still has the death penalty.

 

I saw in this mornings paper that the police had fabricated the story. A passer by had videoed the fateful event on the phone. The police dropped the tazer by the body and made up most of the story. Probably be suspended on full pay.

 

I heard on the radio last night that he was instantly dismissed when the video was submitted.

 

Clearly!
But usually there is a trial first

 

This whole story sent a shudder down my spine. And to see that poor mans Mum crying on TV broke my heart. That copper was a bad apple (for want of more descriptive terminology) and he deserves everything coming to him. I do think the reason they said the words "black man" though is because there have been a number of cases recently, and no so recently, of police officers shooting black guys for little or nothing, one guy, although not shot, was asphyxiated by officers lying on top of him. His crime? Selling loose, untaxed cigarettes on a street corner. His last words? "I can't breathe" it's all too awful. Very sad.

 

Unlikely as he's been charged with murder.

 

I had to hit funny even though the subject isn't really funny.
I was more musing as to the policemans possible outcome.

I agree but having seen it he was running away and was shot in the back.