Quote:There are incidents and situations when killings are necessary such as recently in Garland, TX. But then there was also the kid with the toy gun that got killed among others.  The fact that more of the criminals death's were justified and perhaps even necessary is irrelevant to me because it's the ones that weren't I am talking about. It's appalling to me that in a modern society it still happens where innocent people are killed whether suspect/criminals or cops. 

 

Innocent people dying isn't always preventable. I remember the kid with the toy gun, and the video (I think) doesn't help either side. I'm not sure what to think about it because I don't have all of the facts. What I do know is that gangs routinely employ kids to carry out certain things (think robberies, home invasions, etc.) and they'll give them guns. You would be surprised at how many kids have weapons. Just the other day I went to a home where a kid wanted to meet with his ex-girlfriend. The kid (15 y/o) started talking to the girl and pulled out a gun. She, of course, ran inside and we showed up. The kid stood in the driveway and had the gun in his waistband. 

 

I told them not to move, and the first thing he did was reach for his gun. What am I going to think? Should I wait for him to pull it out? It was discovered later that he was trying to hide it, but he could have been trying to pull it out and shoot me. If I wait, I could have died. Because it happened so quickly, I didn't have to shoot him but it could have been a different outcome. This stuff happens all the time. Unfortunately, kids are going to die. This world is not a pleasant place, and there isn't always a safe outcome for either party. 

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