Witnesses Say Utah Police Killed a Man Who Was Running Away

[Unknown Beatle]

An attorney for the family of the 22-year-old black man who was fatally shot by Utah police last week says the evidence suggests he was running away—contradicting earlier reports that he had "lunged" at the police officers.

Darrien Hunt attracted police attention Wednesday morning outside Saratoga Springs when he allegedly began walking around with a samurai sword. His family later described the sword as a "harmless 3-foot souvenir sword with a rounded edge" purchased at a gift shop, the AP reports.

Hunt was reportedly shot at least four times and died on the street outside a Panda Express restaurant.

Police initially claimed they shot him after he "brandished the sword and lunged toward the officers with the sword," Utah County Chief Deputy Attorney Tim Taylor told reporters.

More @ Gawker

The cops don't shoot white guys walking around carrying assault rifles, but...

[louis-t]

1. It must be a genetic thing.

All these black men lunging at cops with plastic guns and souvenir swords......

[bluestateguy]

2. They also barge into people's homes and kill their dogs

because there was allegedly a "missing child" (all hail, suspend all constitutional rights for everybody because there is one missing child!)

Actually, the so-called missing child never existed.

But this guy's dog was gunned down. Then there was a cover-up and no one was held accountable.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/58289899-90/police-council-lake-salt.html.csp

[951-Riverside]

3. Cops gun down headphones-wearing Utah man because he wouldn’t comply with orders

Police shot and killed a 20-year-old Monday who was wanted for probation violation, but the man’s brother said he was wearing headphones and could not hear officers’ orders.

Officers were called about 7 p.m. to a 7-Eleven store in Salt Lake City after witnesses reported a man waving a gun around.

Dillon Taylor was walking out of the convenience store with his brother and cousin when officers arrived, and police said Taylor matched a description of the suspect.

Three officers said they ordered Taylor to reveal his hands, but they said he ignored their commands and was “visibly upset.”

Taylor was then shot by police and was pronounced dead at the scene.

His brother said Taylor was wearing headphones and did not hear the officers until they surrounded him.

“He couldn’t hear them, so he just kept walking,” said Jerrail Taylor. “(Then) they had guns pointed at his face. That’s when he turned off the music. I saw them point guns at my brother’s face, and I knew what was going to happen.”

One officer told Dillon Taylor to get on the ground, but another told him to place his hands on top of his head.

“He got confused, he went to pull up his pants to get on the ground, and they shot him,” Jerrail Taylor said.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/blog/2014/08/15/cops-gun-down-headphones-wearing-utah-man-because-he-wouldnt-comply-with-orders/

[pinboy3niner]

4. Cops say media reports may be inaccurate, and they have the REAL facts

Which they apparently are unwilling to share until they've had a chance to get their story straight.

[eppur_se_muova]

5. Well, at least he didn't escape -- that would have been a disaster !

Good thing those cops keep in practice on the firing range !

































<---- for the truly hideously impaired

[Wellstone ruled]

6. BTW,the Mayor of

Saratoga Springs is the Rethug candidate for Utard District 4 office. Mia Love is the name,African American lady who is the Mayor of this city. Very interesting,Utard cities have a spotty record when it comes to use of force by their police departments. Many of their hires come through lateral moves from other departments. If you are African American or Hispanic in Tard land,your going to get hassled,more than once. Comes from the top folks.

[Comrade Grumpy]

7. I don't think you're supposed to say "tard" around here.

But Utah is very conservative.

[Sheepshank]

8. your broad brush swipe isn't sitting well with *this* liberal Utahn

bad enough it's a conservative state, but when you don't allow any wiggle room for us regular folks, well, then you are just not nice at all and have lost sight of a bigger picture.

[Wellstone ruled]

9. The bigger picture is

Utah has gone to the Teabilly right. Don't get me wrong,I know of what I speak. Unfortunately,we tied our best to make a very Liberal difference in the 15 years we lived their. One of the original members of our Democratic Party in our county. You don't have a clue pal. I do tend to get negative sometimes when it comes to what really happens on the ground in Utah. After years of hearing we don't want you here,we said enough all ready and got to hell out. Last campaign we did was for District 2,talk about hate mail and disturbing phone messages,you don't have a clue. Enough said,if I offended you sorry,your state still is a big smelly turd. I really feel for your younger people,they have major hurdles when they seek employment out side their states.