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The cop really fucked up. Basically executed the guy for not having a front license plate or producing a drivers license. Watch it in slow motion on youtube at around the 1:50 mark. The driver did have an arrest record as long as you arm but he didn't deserve to die.
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From what I have seen (I think the same disturbing
video that you are referring to) I would not want to be that officer attempting to justify taking that shot. That being said the way that things are said (written) is important. If the cop would have "executed the guy for not having a front license plate or producing a drivers license" that video would have looked a whole lot different. The shot would have come much sooner, right after the guy got squirrely about his license.
What I saw was the officer request for an already uncooperative suspect to take his seat belt off while attempting to open the car door. When the guy reaches for his ignition and starts his vehicle the officer draws his pistol and orders him to stop. The shot is precipitated by the revving of the car's engine as the guy makes an attempt to flee. That is a long way from executing the guy for not having a front-plate or showing his license.
I'm sure that all of the details will be hashed out at this officer's trial and I would agree that with the information available this doesn't look like a good shoot. I guess I'm just suggesting that we don't sensationalize this any more that it already inevitably will be...
ETA: I'm not trying to be argumentative but I do think that it is important how we say things...