Do you believe the policeman was justified? Why or why not?
USA Carry Asked by USA Carry
2/17/2015

Do you believe the policeman was justified? Why or why not?

28%
Yes

17

72%
No WINNER

62

28%
Yes

16 Comments
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6
AdWhois.com

Because it appears to be self-defense. Unlike the shooting of the kids with loud music it appears that the younger, more powerful man would have inflicted harm on the retired officer.

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Rictor Glass
4
Rictor Glass

He was in fear for his life. One punch can kill man, especially an elderly one. Did the aggressor deserve to die? Probably not. But clearly he was an asshole.

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AjClockwork Jackson
AjClockwork Jackson

They were both assholes

James Scheuerman
3
James Scheuerman

I've met all kinds of guys like the muscle bound idiot who intend harm on others for being an annoyance, and an old man cannot take a beating like the young guy could dish out

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Robert Boothby
3
Robert Boothby

The perp threw something on the patron in a dark theater.. The threat was acted on.

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Stan Tyler
Stan Tyler

A punch to the head of a 71 year old from a younger stronger bully could have crippled if not killed the older ex-bully. At this point it seems like self defense.

Paul Willard
3
Paul Willard

I know it's a l;ittle early, and there is scant evidence being released, but...being retired LE, and nearing 60 yrs old, I know I'm not as physically able to take on perp 1/2 my age, I might have ..

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Walter J Hofman
2
Walter J Hofman

There were other options, he returned to the altercation.

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Josh Holmquist
2
Josh Holmquist

He felt that his life or his Loved ones life was in danger

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Stacey Brown
2
Stacey Brown

A bigger, stronger and obviously very angry man had already committed aggravated assault on the cop. The angry man was approaching, threatening and escalating the situation. I would have shot him.

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Aaron Serpas
2
Aaron Serpas

In his situation I can see how he feared for his safety an reacted as such. someone who has trained an carried a firearm as long as he has wen attacked reacts instinctually.

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Tim Poortenga
2
Tim Poortenga

He tried multiple times and with manager requested resolution, manager did nothing, he was attacked for simple request and did fear for his life, 71 year old reacted as trained,

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Tim Poortenga
Tim Poortenga

Hindsight always 20/20, everyone would have moved, too late when you are attacked , foolish move by deceased!

Frank Hautala Vargas
2
Frank Hautala Vargas

Older gente vrs young punk... I'm 64 and handicap... Will move and request refund. If he persit will use deadly force.

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David F Hyso
1
David F Hyso

I'm 60 and disabled an I would could be harmed

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Alex Nanai
0
Alex Nanai

The man is old and feable, grave danger is different from his eyes than a healthy forty-year old.

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Stan Tyler
Stan Tyler

Police have the most shameful job in any society. At 71 with spouse, a young muscular man can inflict serious injury to them both. I feel it seemed justified, Irregardless of the cops past evil life.

Victor Yosco
0
Victor Yosco

A man of that age against a person who larger and younger, who showed violence by throughing popcorn, younger man would of probably hit the older man and he would of had no chance to defend

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Mike Walker
0
Mike Walker

I believe that the retired police captain genuinely believed that he was being attacked and feared for his life or at least well being.

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sam vadala
0
sam vadala

the older man seems to have tried to defuse the situation, the younger man clearly looked like he was going to cause serious harm in the film

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72%
No

58 Comments
Dave
8
Dave

not a reasonable reaction to the situation. A box of popcorn, not a weapon! It looked as though the theater was almost empty anyway, Just move! Good God, why go to such an extreme over a stupid movie.

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Pete Phillips
3
Pete Phillips

Texting is not life threatening is it ..

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Robert Moors
3
Robert Moors

should have used a cooler head with his ecperince

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Lee Greger
2
Lee Greger

The guy texting was not posing a threat. The use of deadly force is to be used only for lifeor limb.

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Jer Smo
2
Jer Smo

Any physical abuse by the aggressor in a movie theater would be limited and probably not serious and even more probably not fatal

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Steve Harmon
2
Steve Harmon

This idiot was in no physical danger.

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Gun Daddy
2
Gun Daddy

It wasn't clear that severe bodily injury or death was likely.

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Dave Hagstrom
2
Dave Hagstrom

I think he let his temper get in the way of his judgement.

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Bob Harvey
2
Bob Harvey

When you carry a gun, you need to avoid, evade or escape not escalate a violent encounter.

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Walter Wellman
2
Walter Wellman

be absolutely sure of using deadly force prior to pulling out the gun

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Bob Johnson
1
Bob Johnson

no imminent threat existed (according to press and witnesses)

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Leonard Harris
1
Leonard Harris

It looks as though there were plenty of seats available, the gentleman, being more mature should have simply moved, I am sorry, this happened, especially having served his community, for many years.

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Michael Ford
1
Michael Ford

There were other options available

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Michael Loos
1
Michael Loos

I don't believe a "reasonable" person would have felt that his life was threatened or that he was facing serious bodily harm. Personally, I wouldn't even have gone to the manager, I would have moved.

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Tyrone Turner
0
Tyrone Turner

Even though the antagonist was bigger, younger and stronger, all he did was throw popcorn and a phone at him. Sometimes it's better to take a beating.

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Mark Akers
0
Mark Akers

The actor didn't have a deadly weapon, cop had no right to shoot him.

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Lane Giard
0
Lane Giard

His life was not in danger

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Michael Minjack
0
Michael Minjack

Drawing weapon is a very serious issue----last RESORT !!

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Justin Black
0
Justin Black

No deadly force was presented towards retired officer. There was a chance to walk away.

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Larry Gabbard
0
Larry Gabbard

For 1 I don't know how texting would bother anyone, it doesn't make any noise or anything. But if it did bother him that much all he had to do was move.

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Frank Liparota
0
Frank Liparota

Getting hit with popcorn is not a life threatening situation. Should have not even complained to the manager. Should have gotten up and moved to another seat.

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Dale Single
0
Dale Single

It seemed to me, that there was no deadly force exerted by the shooting victim , popcorn does not seem deadly, unless it was poisoned .

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Norma Segui
0
Norma Segui

He could have moved to another seat

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Jim Marshall
0
Jim Marshall

The attacker obviously had anger management issues which could have been for a variety of reasons - but deadly force is not justified unless the attacker started physically beating on the victim

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Bill Carrier
0
Bill Carrier

The disproportionate use of force was not justified by the shooter.

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Ernest Beatty
0
Ernest Beatty

being a trained policeman he should have had more control of the situation, he would have told someone else they should have moved,and then arrested them!

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Andy Fracica
0
Andy Fracica

It was an overreaction on the part of the 71 year old and he was the aggressor, he started and escalated the situation. He could have moved or ignored the texting.

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Francis Picray
0
Francis Picray

The first rule of self defense is "avoidance". If the policeman had moved to another location, the situation would have been deescalated there by avoiding the situation.

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Jim Lagnese
0
Jim Lagnese

Because texting didn't infringe on his rights. He started it. He should have let it go.

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Deborah Caudill
0
Deborah Caudill

The retired officer's life was not in danger. He should have moved. There were plenty of empty seats. The manager should have stepped in quickly

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Michael Lentini
0
Michael Lentini

His life was not in danger at that time. He could have just moved away.

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Greg Purves
0
Greg Purves

He walked away from the threat and then returned to the scene. The purpose of using deadly force is to protect yourself. He protected himself by removing himself from the situation.

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Bill Simmons
0
Bill Simmons

Cause for real concern however at this time I see no need for deadly force. Turning and walking away may have been a better choice. CCW holder Bill

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Peter Armstrong
0
Peter Armstrong

Because having Popcorn thrown at you, is an irritant and not a threat.

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Carl-Cathy Wisnesky
0
Carl-Cathy Wisnesky

Shooter was trained to deescalate situations. All CC classes teach to avoid confrontations by leaving the area-he should have changed his seat & waited for management to arrive.

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James Ross Hill
0
James Ross Hill

it hadn't yet escalated to the point that lethal force was justified. The man never actually touched the older guy and it is unlikely that it would have. Also, he was instigating the confrontation.

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william
0
william

After throwing the popcorn he goes backward out of frame. No longer in arms reach. No need to pull the trigger at that point.

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Scott Dismukes
0
Scott Dismukes

Popcorn throwing does not make for a deadly life threatening encounter. The reaction to popcorn was instant - it looked more like the Capt already had his gun in his hand, it was that quick.

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Orange Bird
0
Orange Bird

He was a loose cannon; good thing he was retired. I have to wonder, is this how he reacted when he was an active officer of the law?

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AjClockwork Jackson
0
AjClockwork Jackson

If the man had started to hit him then I could see dealt force to be used but all he did was throw popcorn an a cellphone wow that would have hurt

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Johnhwy1
0
Johnhwy1

Supposition didn't prove he was to be killed or harmed. He could have pulled his gun to protect himself or try avoiding the fight. Then see. He didn't show a weapon only his anger and aggression.

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Ron Morris
0
Ron Morris

Not a Justifiable situation to use force.

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TheCarmac
0
TheCarmac

Neither cell phones nor popcorn are generally recognized as lethal weapons; All involved were in a very public place by definition - the idiot (shooter) was in no/zero/nada danger of any kind.

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Michael Wickett
0
Michael Wickett

the first rule never shoot in a scenario you can remove yourself from he should have moved and never let it get that far there was a row of seats in between them BUT a knife is dangerous at 21 feet

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Red Bird
0
Red Bird

Hell No! What could have possibly led the officer to believe his LIFE was in danger? If he was that bothered by the guy on his phone, there were plenty of open seats, he could have simply moved.

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Christopher Michael Carlson Sr
0
Christopher Michael Carlson Sr

Because it is not clear weather he was in serious danger.

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GunShooter
0
GunShooter

Texting at a movie is annoying but isn't worth escalating to this point. He should've moved as the theater was nowhere near full. Texting guy was out of line, too but shouldn't have had to die for it.

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Steve Neubert
0
Steve Neubert

If the manager did nothing to resovle the issue, he should have just moved to another seat, without confrontation

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Sue Smith
0
Sue Smith

I did not see "intent to kill or seriously injure". In addition, it always takes 2, and this retired cop should have moved away from the threat. 2 boneheads, 2 families hurt. Sad.

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Johnhwy1
Johnhwy1

The best gunfight is one you can avoid. Personally I believe his past police experience made him feel that he could just shoot the guy. He is retired!

Colin Gallagher
0
Colin Gallagher

Be responsible with your weapon. Do not kill people for stupid shit. Exercise deadly force only when your life is threatened.

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Doug
0
Doug

The shooter had the option to relocate to avoid any conflict. The reaction of the young man was in part due to an argument begun by the shooter. While the victim was rude, that should not be a shootin

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Joey Proehl
0
Joey Proehl

I feel his life was not immediately threatened at that point to justify him pulling his firearm.

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PaladinFirearms
0
PaladinFirearms

He had opportunity to escape. Had me made that attempt to then be confronted by the 'aggressor/texter' to the effect that escape was no longer a viable option, Escape to fight another day.

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James McGarvey
0
James McGarvey

He should have moved seats and used enough common sense to realize that popcorn wasn't leathal force

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Craig Vallarino
0
Craig Vallarino

He didn't take all reasonable action to remove himself safely before using deadly force

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anthonyaumiller
0
anthonyaumiller

There's nothing said that would make you believe his life was threatened.

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Edward Rocco Inzauto
0
Edward Rocco Inzauto

He was looking for a fight from the beginning. He could have sat someplace else. There will always be someone texting or talking or what-have-you at a PUBLIC movie theater. He CREATED any danger there

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