Dallas Police Rain Bullets on Man Outside of Airport for Brandishing a Rock

Early Friday afternoon police were called to the scene of a domestic disturbance at the Dallas Love Field airport. While there are few details available at this point, here is what we do know.

1. Police fired multiple rounds at the suspect.
2. The shooting happened in a busy airport with spectators very nearby.
3. Police claim the man was threatening them with a large rock.

Because there are so few details it is not possible to make any determination on whether or not the shooting was justified, but there are a few questions I still have.

Was shooting the suspect with a gun the best response to the threat presented by a rock?

Was less-lethal force not available, such as mace or a tazer?

Why couldn’t the officers on the scene have physically subdued the man?

What would happen if, given the nature of flat concrete surfaces surrounding the area, ricocheting bullets had injured or killed innocent bystanders?

While it appears certain that the guy was a threat that needed to be dealt with, goin’ straight to them guns may not have been the wisest choice, in terms of good policing and public safety. Is it simply a matter of too much training, or are cops just like children with a fetish for things that go boom, and are just constantly itching to get to use their toys on duty?

Dallas Police Rain Bullets on Man Outside of Airport for Brandishing a Rock is a post from Cop Block – Badges Don’t Grant Extra Rights