Mods: I sure hope I did this right. I think I did ...
Stupid places, stupid people. There was NO EXCUSE at all for any of the acts the resulted in the police shooting in self-defense. Stay out of places like this, because nothing good happens in them; stay away from “friends” who are willing to brawl in such stupid places, stay away from people who think they themselves can’t be trusted with a firearm. Completely moronic from top to bottom.
Got this from a mailing list to which I belong:
Details Emerge in Oregon Tragedy: "Grand jury testimony released by a district attorney Tuesday into the fatal shooting by university police of a man during a brawl outside a Portland, Oregon, bar describes a chaotic scene in which the two officers had to make a split-second decision when they saw a pistol in the man's hand. The grand jury ruled on Sept. 13 that Portland State University Officers James Dewey and Shawn McKenzie should not face criminal charges in the June 29 shooting of Jason Erik Washington, who had a permit to carry a concealed weapon. The 415 pages of grand jury testimony for the first time reveal the greatest details about the shooting that shook Portland and led to campus protests. Washington was trying to break up a fight involving a friend, who had handed Washington his holstered pistol right before the brawl. Witnesses testified that Washington fell over in the melee and the pistol hit the sidewalk. Dewey and McKenzie said he had the pistol in his hand when he stood back up and pointed it at them... In a police interview, Wilkinson told police he gave his black Walther PPQ 9mm pistol to Washington because he thought he might get in a fight and "he did not want to make a poor decision during the fight." Wilkinson had kept it in a holster meant to be worn inside the pants' waistline, but Washington let the holster dangle from his pocket, making the gun visible and more prone to falling out during the scuffle. Officers later found a legal permit to carry a concealed weapon in Washington's wallet... "
List owner's commentary: (This is the first report that I've seen that the pistol actually belonged to Washington's friend. This tragedy serves as a reminder of the folly of mixing guns and alcohol and the oft repeated advice not to have gun in hand when police arrive on the scene.)
Grand jury rules cops involved in Ore. OIS should not face criminal charges