Bystander dies after being shot by NYPD undercover officer
Source: AP
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (AP) An innocent bystander accidentally shot by a plainclothes officer died early Saturday, hours after being wounded when the officer opened fire on an armed suspect during an undercover gun buy that went bad, New York City police said.
Felix Kumi, 61, of Mount Vernon died shortly before 1 a.m., authorities said. He was shot Friday afternoon after a man pulled a gun on an undercover NYPD officer during a probe into the sale of illegal firearms, officials said.
The 37-year-old gunman was struck three times in the torso while another bullet struck Kumi, police said. The gunman, whose identity was not immediately released, was taken to a hospital. Charges against him were pending.
In a statement released Saturday afternoon, NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton said he wanted to express "profound sorrow and sympathy" to Kumi's family.
FULL story at link.
Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/2e2e73aa351d4b46ad299d2045907c4c/bystander-dies-after-being-shot-nypd-undercover-officer
still_one
(92,486 posts)wait for a more opportune time
former9thward
(32,111 posts)A cop has no idea when something might go south in an interaction.
eggplant
(3,915 posts)Unless there is a hostage situation, the police can follow suspects until civilians are out of the line of fire. There's no need for wild west shootouts.
Oh yeah, and cops should be able to do their fucking job without first pulling out their service pistol.
former9thward
(32,111 posts)So a cop should never make a traffic stop. That can go south south at any instant and there are always member of the public around.
They_Live
(3,242 posts)Marthe48
(17,079 posts)prayers for the family
branford
(4,462 posts)In sad irony, the officer was attempting to stop the trade in illegal guns, and his actions appear to be legitimate self-defense.
I expect Jeffrey Aristy and the unnamed gunman will be charged with felony murder, and no court will be sympathetic in sentencing.
My condolences to Mr. Kumi's family and friends.