Near-Riot Erupts in North Lawndale

knowing that area, i'm pretty sure he was doing more than just hanging out.

"while police relied on the tried-but-true "he flashed a piece at us" explanation that seems to accompany most of these shootings." That and the fact that he had a loaded 9mm handgun on him when the caught-up with him and that it turns out he has a long rap sheet. Facts that you failed to mention in your smear piece. It is sad that you feel it is fashionable to knock the Chicago police with slanted half-truths. I am sure that Al Sharpton will have many quotations for you on this issue, can't wait to read them as 'fact' here at the Chicagoist.

Why is it so unbelievable that he actually did have a gun?

Not saying that he definitely did, because there certainly are some crooked cops...but come on now.

I'm not a huge fan of Chicago cops--in general, they are assholes and bullies who protect their bad ones with an odd but fierce sense of loyalty--but guest 5 nails it: Why don't these residents riot against the gangbangers and drug dealers who have made certain neighborhoods hell to live in? I doubt all these residents are getting significant pieces of the local drug trade, after all, so I don't see how economic interest plays into it. And I can't image many residents are fans of drive-bys.

What do you expect from Chuck? He's just here to pass along what real reporters already have reported.

I just read another article on this; The teen was fiddling with something as he walked out of a store; the cops asked him to stop, the kid put his hands into his pocket/waist band, and then began to run from the cops- the cops then ran after him for several blocks yelling for him to stop, one shot was fired which killed him. These are fairly interesting facts which would actually do more for Chuck's post (and shed even more light on his bias). Now obviously there will be an investigation into exactly what happened which will better lay out the facts.
For me, if I was a cop, saw a guy messing around with his pockets while coming at me, starts to run after I ask him to stop, carries what looks like a gun, jumps into alleys; I'm not taking any further chances on my life- I would have taken him out too.

So when does Rev. Sharpton touch down

This does not look good for the cops.

First of all, the kid was whot at 8:00 P.M. He had every right to be at the store and out with his friends at that time.

Second, I think it is pretty hard to shoot and run away at the same time.

Third, there are penalties for posession of firearms, but death is not one of them, just like death is not the penalty fore being stupid and running from police in a neighborhood with as much crime and violence as North Lawndale.

There is no question the kid screwed up, but I don't see what he did as a capital crime, and I find this whole episode VERY disturbing.

remember that guy who was shot while pulling out his wallet?

Number one, Mozart & Roosevelt is a huge dope spot. Number two, the biased media didn't report that squad car windows were busted out. Number three, you didn't hear about the people trying to rush the 11th District station.

For a more insightful view on this situation I suggest you guys check out Second City Cop. http://secondcitycop.blogspot.com/

"A lot of you are acting like you know what happened, like you were there. Your sounding awfully dumb too"

What exactly are you doing,fish?
I am always amazed how often people living in their comfy homes far from the all the problems are so quick to condemn the victim and believe the cops.

If I were a cop, I would not wait to see what the guy is going to pull out. i'll protect myself and my family first.

If he wasn't doing anything, why did he run away? I think that is the thing you people have to remember.

Where I grew up, if a cop tells you to drop your hands or raise them, you do as your told. You don't reach for anything.

And yes, I am white. But I've also been stopped by the police both walking and driving. You do what you're told and if you haven't done anything wrong, they let you go.

I am also willing to bet that at least a handful of the cops involved in this incident were black. If you talk to black cops, they'll tell you the exact same thing: they have their hands tied when they're trying to do their job.

Things like this (near riot) don’t happen overnight and are often not the result of one single event. This has been in the works for a long time. Weather or not the shooting was justified, and there is room for debate here on this issue, the CPD are far from being angles in their own right. This is the second person killed at the hands of the CPD in 3 day. That gets compounded by on going investigations into police torture, off duty police officers being caught on video beating people, and the list goes on. The CPD has a long history of using excessive force and many in power have turned and looked the other way. Lets all hope and pray that nothing else happens like this for a long time or the near riot of last night might be something a lot more.

I don't have too much sympathy for some doper with a gun getting shot. If you can't be a decent human being and then get the fuck out.

What difference does it make if he's a high school graduate? Do they not carry guns, or practice stupid behavior?

The NY wallet incident is extremely irrelevant, because this kid HAD A GUN ON HIM. Unless you're going to go on record suggesting the Police planted it on him.

Do they have to shoot to kill? Is there no room for "shoot to immobilize?" As in just injure the guy rather than kill him? Or her, of course.

Bekki,
I'm not sure about Chicago, but I know that in other cities police are expressly told not to shoot to immobilize. The rational is that police are only supposed to use firearms when threatend with deadly force, and if that's the case, they should respond in kind. They should not try to wound someone and risk loosing their own lives in the process.

The shoot to immobilize is mostly what they are supposed to do. Obviously, not all cops and most people are not sharp shooters. They aim at the person, not the heart/head/throat. On top of that, what is an immobilization shot? Shoot him in the leg and he still has his arms. Shoot him in the arm, and he still has the other one. Shoot him in the ass, and you get a Training Day response.

this neighborhood used to be great until all of the hipsters started moving in.

Navin; I guess that makes sense if you live in chiropractic land and people have an inability to turn and shoot backwards. As noted; the guy had a gun and already didn't listen to the cops how many times? What makes you think when they say, 'don't shoot' he won't shoot? When the immediate history shows he moved when the cops said 'don't move', he ran when the cops said 'stop', he put his hands in his pants when the cops said 'let me see your hands'... and on and on. But I guess you could be right, the only chance the cop was taking was not catching him in a foot race.
And yes, shooting the bastard in the back was a sensible solution- if the event comes back as justified and police followed legit protocols. What did you want him to do? Wait until the kid took a few shots, strap on the rocket booster and get in front of him and shoot him in the chest? Shit, as stated, he's got a gun.

If the mistrust of the cops is so deep and they are so corrupt and you can see why people would run, I would also pay a large sum of money to get some cops to ask you to stop and you take off running and see what happens. And to complete the experiment I would do it again and have you not run; to see which way you come out better. I'm willing to bet you would never run from an authority figure for the rest of your life.

Wow fishunderice is muy macho, what are you a 10 year old?

If the mistrust of the cops is so deep and they are so corrupt and you can see why people would run, I would also pay a large sum of money to get some cops to ask you to stop and you take off running and see what happens. And to complete the experiment I would do it again and have you not run; to see which way you come out better. I'm willing to bet you would never run from an authority figure for the rest of your life.

This is so incoherent I really can't understand what you're trying to say.

I've read all of the comments so far, but everyone has missed something. I will guarantee you that the "suspect" died of a drug overdose - guaranteed. Taser didn't kill him, as much as the family would like to believe, but all of the drugs in his system. If the Taser killed, then I would have been dead long ago.

Lets look at the "suspect" and wait for the autopsy. Mark my words, this little angel died of a drug overdose. Hell, mom even admits that SHE KNEW HE HAD DRUGS IN HIS ROOM!!! Oh yeah, by all means, let's still blame the cops - much easier than admitting reality!

If looking at these comments isn't enough just look at the comments on that second city cop blog. I think it is telling when "take him out" is the descriptive phrase used by fishunerice and others here. And that is nothing compared to the not even veiled animosity towards the public shown in the second city cop blog.

I don't know what happened here and probably never will. If he really was shot in the back that does look pretty bad especially when you view it in light of the comments we see from officers and the actions of some of them which have been caught on video. Don't fool yourself that beating women etc is isolated and not part of a larger culture. In response to another comment here, would I put it past CPD to plant a gun? No, not at all. Do you really think they were deathly afraid of someone running away? How many cops actually get killed in an average year as a %? I am sure it is much lower than the number for cabbies. All that said we probably won't ever learn the "truth".

As a final warning to those of you who live in a bubble and since it is so removed from you may agree with the comments like "they are animals so who cares", etc. Believe me to many in CPD it doesn't matter who you are (thug, yuppie, college kid, female bartender). It just matters if you happen to get in their way.

In 10 years living in Chicago as a white, unarmed, educated, and professionally employed citizen that pays a lot of taxes I have seen;
- Myself get cuffed, held in an empty alley, and then punched in the head due to a comment I made after they violently arrested an idiot drunken acquaintance for being stupid after a bulls finals.
- Myself get surrounded, threatened, yelled at by a sergeant "do you know who we are" basically because we didn't get out of a cab fast enough when being dropped off for the airshow. If they hadn't then found my aged parents where with me I am fairly certain they would have used violence then.
- Heard (1st hand) of someone else that got his head slammed into a table at the station while cuffed and forced to clean up his own urine with his jacket.
- Other things I won't bring up.

If you think the recent stories on video and camera are isolated you are crazy. It is just with more cameras and video around inevitably X% of the normal routine is now being captured.

Sure being a cop can be hard, etc and they need to be able to be protected. But the actions, frequent indictments, self posted web comments, etc of this particular force show it to have a leadership and culture that is so far from professional that it looks more like a gang (emphasizing "loyalty" to the crew, pride in their posse, misplaced superiority complex, enjoyment of violence) than a professional organization that has earned the right to get the benefit of the doubt.

Funny, i'm hispanic, was born and raised in Chicago, worked at police stations across the city, drank at bars known as "cop bars", and never had a problem.

Let me start of by saying that I am no fan of the police. Many are corrupt, especially in the 11th district. I live in North Lawndale, not to far from where the incident happened, and I'm very familiar with cops from the 11th, so they get no love from me.

I've called the cops dozens of times to report criminally activity, specifically open air drug dealing. Cops in the 11th rarely respond and seem to not care and often turn a blind eye. Don't believe me, try it, drive around and report any drug dealing you see in open view, see if a cop shows up (there's plenty of corners to report in the 11th)

That being said, for the cops to go after someone in the 11th, they must be doing something wrong. Trust me, there is no shortage of thugs, gangbangers, and drug dealers in that area. You can throw a stick and find someone doing something illegal.

I certainly don't like the cops in that district, but I dislike the drug dealing gangbangers less. The mob that attempted to riot are probably thugs themselves. I live next to them, I know what they are about.

What amazes me is that the thug constituency blames the cops when someone gets shot by a rival gang member, but than get angry when you arrest them for possession of firearms. Your damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Ok-- its offical. Matty, Bekki, and Spook are complete and total morons. Given the circumstances, I have NO problem with a police officer shooting someone who had in their possession a gun, (as far as the officer knew in quick reaction time), and had pointed it at them or ANYONE in the vicinity. The offender (yes offender, not victim) was arrested numerous times in his young life BEFORE his 18th bday on that same block when he supposedly lived in Berwyn. Hes on one of the hottest drug blocks on the west side, a KNOWN drug dealer in the past, and was giving visual clues that he MAY have a weapon on him. He runs, a chase ensues, he is shot dead for brandishing a 9mm handgun. That officer has an obligation to GO HOME SAFE at the end of the night and he has to ensure that- by any LEGAL means necessary and he did so. Ms Bekki's argument to shoot to immoblilze is obvioulsy coming from a pot smoking, hollywood watching, liberal voting, poorly eduacted mind. I feel sorry for you.......

(720 ILCS 5/7‑5) (from Ch. 38, par. 7‑5)
Sec. 7‑5. Peace officer's use of force in making arrest.
(a) A peace officer, or any person whom he has summoned or directed to assist him, need not retreat or desist from efforts to make a lawful arrest because of resistance or threatened resistance to the arrest. He is justified in the use of any force which he reasonably believes to be necessary to effect the arrest and of any force which he reasonably believes to be necessary to defend himself or another from bodily harm while making the arrest. However, he is justified in using force likely to cause death or great bodily harm only when he reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or such other person, or when he reasonably believes both that:
(1) Such force is necessary to prevent the arrest from being defeated by resistance or escape; and
(2) The person to be arrested has committed or attempted a forcible felony which involves the infliction or threatened infliction of great bodily harm
or is attempting to escape by use of a deadly weapon,
or otherwise indicates that he will endanger human life or inflict great bodily harm unless arrested without delay.

I'm tired of you liberals saying that police serve the public. The police serve and protect the LAW. You need to be there when the entire public housing complex goes up. We'll have the police send you in first to try to talk to people. See what happens then...The problem is that the people in these area are allowed to do whatever they please without consequence. This is the culture that has developed over time. Read the book "Urban Suicide: Crisis in Black America" It might open your eyes to things.

I have read all these comments and the one thing that wasn't brought up is this, if he weren't carrying a gun this would never have taken place. The fact is he WAS carrying a gun, the police don't carry around an extra gun to plant, that is something the movies have dramatized over the years. If he were shot in the back, and I say if, it is possible for a someone to point a gun and quickly turn around exposing his backside, also it is possible to to run and point the gun backwards. Keep in mind these facts.

Guest 56 let me ask you a few questions along with some of my comments on your post.

"Let me start of by saying that I am no fan of the police. Many are corrupt, especially in the 11th district.
Really? Have you been a victim of this? Why then didn't you report this to OPS? When did this happen or are you just fanning the flames of hate?
I live in North Lawndale, not to far from where the incident happened, and I'm very familiar with cops from the 11th, so they get no love from me.
Oh well, none of us can love everybody.

I've called the cops dozens of times to report criminally activity, specifically open air drug dealing.
Excellent! Keep doing that! Hit a beat meeting too if you'd like. They're free!
Cops in the 11th rarely respond and seem to not care and often turn a blind eye. Don't believe me, try it, drive around and report any drug dealing you see in open view, see if a cop shows up (there's plenty of corners to report in the 11th)
Where do I start. Dope is the economy of most of the 11th Dist. Now if you have a couple dozen coppers running around 7 sq. miles of narcotics dealing, is every one of them going to be addressed? Um, I would have to say no because of geography and manpower. Now top all of this dope dealing with domestics, overdoses, shootings, fights, bar fights, traffic offenses, etc.etc. ad infinitum well lets just say that dope calls are going to get backlogged.

That being said, for the cops to go after someone in the 11th, they must be doing something wrong. Trust me, there is no shortage of thugs, gangbangers, and drug dealers in that area. You can throw a stick and find someone doing something illegal.
Excellent observation! So then are drugs a bigger priority than the thugs? You tell me. What's a bigger priorty to you?

I certainly don't like the cops in that district, but I dislike the drug dealing gangbangers less. The mob that attempted to riot are probably thugs themselves. I live next to them, I know what they are about.
I don't like the gangbangers at the end of my block either. Welcome to the big city.

What amazes me is that the thug constituency blames the cops when someone gets shot by a rival gang member, but than get angry when you arrest them for possession of firearms. Your damned if you do and damned if you don't.
Now multiply that feeling by 1000 when you pin on that star and walk a beat in Fillmore. I do. There is no love for me or my kind in that area. Now add in the possibility of getting sued for something you never did. (I was sued for something but wasn't even working the night the incident happened. Yet the city paid out.) Add in a few shots fired at you, punches and kicks thrown at you, feces, urine, rocks, thrown your way etc.etc. ad infinitum, and maybe you might just understand what me and my kind deal with on a daily backlogged basis.

As far as Matty and crew are concerned, I will gladly offer you a ride along with me any day you'd like. Your microscopic observations of police misconduct just aren't there. It's like that imaginary friend you had when you were little. It all exists in your twisted myopic socialist vision of this city.
Just call me a Westcide Dog

Guest #56 keep calling the police. the greatest thing you can do is be descriptive VERY descriptive. who's selling/holding? what's he wearing/look like? WHERE are the drugs hidden? what's the exact address? and listen to westcide dog. there are many, many other thing that have to be dealt with before a selling call that lacks information or maybe the cops are already watching setting up the bigger bust...

Wow you people are so intelligent, get out of your yoga rooms and wake the hell up!! The police do not plant guns on people. go grab your kids supersoaker and run and point it behind you, and shoot it tell me if you can hit someone behind you?? Now super smart people if the person you are shooting the supersoaker at are behind you and they shoot back....are they going to hit you in the back or the chest??? Freaking morons!! The family of beasts sees this $$$$$$$$!! Thats all the family and pretend race baiting revernds care about is city MONEY. God bless are boys and girls in blue they are better people then all of us for ever signing up to deal with the stupid liberal people in this city, and the ignorant baby mommas who have no idea their kid is a gangbanger.I agree with the 7:06am poster go to this neighborhood walk around at night i bet you do not come home alive, especially if you are white.

The cops don't plant evidence, 68?

Uh, OK.

Next you will tell me the cops didn't torture people.

Or work with the Outfit.

Or shoot off guns while drunk.

If all this is confusing, I suggest you study Chicago history and keep up on current events.

Dear Mr Liberal

Please accept this as an open invitation to do a ride along with me in the 007 district (southside) and you can jump out of the car with me when I hit a corner of bangers, you can chase them with me and fight along side of me. What do you think? I have an extra bullet proff vest for you and I will even give you a flashlight. This is not a joke. Please bring an extra pair of underwear......Please call the caps office in 007 to arrange a ride along 312 747-8220

I can't believe how naive some of you are. Do you not live in Chicago? Do you not know that Chicago is one the most violent cities in the WORLD?! As a copper working in one of the shittiest districts on the southside (003) NONE OF YOU who hide behind a keyboard have any CLUE what is like out there. I'm not going to second guess myself, no copper should. If you fear for your life, you're allowed to use lethal force. Running or not, he had the gun. End of story. The cops were right. And all of you not supporting the police are wrong. The minute you bad mouth the police here and not believe the police. You'll be calling and expecting the police ASAP when something happens to you. You don't like us? Stop calling 911 for us. Make our job easier.

And all these people protesting the police shooting. Why don't they ever protest the gangbangers shootings? Why don't they go to the gangbangers house and try to force their way in?

You want to stop police shootings? Start acting like civilized human beings and this would not happen.

Grow up Chicago. 3 out of 13,000 coppers. WE'RE NOT ALL BAD

Yo BK, he was a piece of shit gangbanger (he was an Unknown Vice Lord). Who knows how many deaths and ruined lives he was responsible for. Like you said, "the dirty ones will have their day," and looks like he got his. If you're a decent human being, you get my respect. if you ruin other people's lives with drugs and guns, you do not get my respect.

I'm with the cops on this one. I've lived in this city all my life and i've seen too much to buy into the shiny happy academic view.

From Guest 56.

I still call cops to report illegal activites, and still continue to get lukewarm responses at best. I do give a description of the suspects, what they are doing, what they are wearing, etc.. And yet most of the time I get nothing. I've even been told "We have your information already, you don't need to call us repeatedly" What the hell is that? Another words, don't bother us with details about criminal activity.

All you have to do is look at Madison, especially by Francisco and Sacramento. That place is a zoo. Squad cars drive by in front of gangbangers selling dope.

I've tried calling OPS, but apparently ignoring crime isn't a top priority for them. Not to mention that is hard to prove.

Gangs and drugs are synonymous in the 11th. So to say that gangbanging is a bigger problem than drug dealing makes no sense. The gangbangers are doing the dealing. Most of the time when gangbangers are arrested its for drug offenses and not for battery, domestic, etc..

I never generalized and said that all the cops in 11th are bad. There are some good honest cops who want to make a difference. There are also some that are abusive or just don't care. Or some that are just plain lazy.

I know having a beat in the 11th in a tough job, I live in that area. Alot of my neighbors hate the cops.

I have no doubt that Aaron Harrison was packing. I know alot of dudes just like him. Sooner or later he would have been shot, if not by the cops than by the Vice Lords or Gangster Disciples. This is one instance in which I am in agreement with.

FOR GUEST 56---------

Police driving by gangbangers on the corner selling drugs?? I don't believe it!! (Sarcasm noted?).

Yes-- we drive by gangbangers selling drugs on corners in your area ALL the time-- Why? Civil rights. We are only allowed to make stops when a crime is being committed, has been committed, or with some chance in our minds, a crime WILL be committed. If we were to exit our vehicles every time we pass a group on a corner- first we would have no cars up to do anything else, and we would also have every internet Reverend on our asses demanding our blood. The ghetto hustler is smart- has lookouts- rarely if ever has dope ON him/her and knows ALL too well the nature of this 'game'. Do I wish death on Aaron? No- I dont wish it on anyone. Unless you are possibly preventing me from going home that night to see my family, which he was doing to that officer chasing him.

And for 'black korea'- dont feel sorry for me, just because I have no respect for the fact that he is dead doesnt mean I dont care. I care about the people that WANT to do the right thing and try to not be associated with the moronic going-ons in a bad neighborhood. What I dont care about is a life wasted on selling drugs, sitting on corners, drinking, and genocidal actions brought on by seling and using dope. If you dont respect your own life, why should I respect it for you???

I was directed to this site as I heard there was a lively yet civil debate about the most recent Police Shooting on the west side.

I will come out and say this first, I am a Chicago Police Officer. I'm proud of it and I won't hide it. I didn't read every post so if I answer something that was already answered please forgive me.

1. Police only shoot to kill. Police are trained to aim for the chest. Snipers on the swat team have better weapons than us and can try to shoot to immobilize an offender, not the officers working the street.

2. Police have every right by Illinois law to shoot an armed offender who is running away. The offender doesn't even have to point the weapon at the officer. Ladies and gentleman think for a second. What if Harrison would have kept running and took somebody hostage in the alley? What if Harrison ran into somebodys back yard and into their house and then shot somebody in the house just trying to get away? These are just some options police are trained to think about when somebody is armed with a gun.

3. How many of you have worked on the westside??? I have and do, its not a pretty place. The westside is like a toned down version of Irag. Gun shots in the backgroud everyday. Citizens all over the street and you don't know if they are friend or foe. Its not as bad as that but I'm trying to paint a picture. I have chased more than a few Aaron Harrions in the 11th dist in my career. I have seen several guns. I've caught a few and more than a few have gotten away. I would love to have a camera in my car just to show the citizens how the people act in the 11th dist and how many people are carrying guns. I would call it an everyday occurence in the 11th dist that a foot chase ensues after a hard working police officer sees an offender with a gun. I have no doubt in my mind that the police in this shooting were justified and telling the truth. Like I said earlier I have had the same type of incident happen to me that the officers faced here.

4. The Chicago Police Dept does have crooked cops. That being said the rouge/dirty cop is in the vast minority. Police do not condone stealing , robbery, or blatant excessive force.

5. Citizens have the right to question and make sure the police are doing their jobs correctly and legally. On the other hand you have no right to call us racists and thug killers. The thugs are the gang members. Citizens don't have the right to try and convict the police through the media when we have done nothing wrong. This is why police can be rude and unprofessional.

I could right a book about this but I won't. Those of you who don't think the police were justified need to take the rose colored glasses off. Those of you who think the police are lying need to get out of the office and take a look outside. The world is a scary place, just look around and you'll see. The police are trying to help you, not hurt you.

Would this have happened if Harrison was doing something productive instead of carrying a gun and attempting to defeat his felony arrest?

The cops don't plant evidence, 68?

Uh, OK.

Next you will tell me the cops DIDN'T torture people.

Or work with the Outfit.

Or shoot off guns while drunk.

If all this is confusing, I suggest you study Chicago HISTORY and keep up on current events.
-------------------------------------------------
All of this post is about things that happend in the past. Sure things happend....blacks were slaves but you don't own a couple do you?

By the way, I have been on a ride along, so I know what you are talking about. So spare me the crybaby bullshit. No one forced you to become a copper.

Its not crybaby bullshit as much as one of the last ways to prove a point. Bleeding heart liberals are the WORST examples to lead with. Even childrens sports are pussy-fied. Go to a little league game or a soccer game-- the score isnt even kept anymore. "Its for the fun". Wrong. Its called life lessons- you will win at somethings and excell- and you will LOSE in life. It happens. There is no teachings of how to do things right anymore. Its more of "Do what makes you feel good." Bullshit. If kids today arent taught to work your ass off and get ahead then all is lost.

And no-- no one did force me to be a 'copper'. Who forced you to be a pussy? These stories of asshole cops are the only ones that make the meida. There are over 900,000 numbers pulled for some sort of paper work in the city every year. 900,000!!! You wont hear about the time I drove a family in MY OWN CAR after I got off work because their shit for brains father left and locked them out taking all he could in about 3 hours and had the utilities shut off. Or when my partner rescued a small kid from a pool he was drowning in becuase mom was-- get this- passed out when we got there. Neighbors call- "I thinks their son is on his own-- he small". Yeah-- dont go look for yourself-- just call 911. Anyway- Rarely does good work make the papers- it doesnt sell copies. Bad news and violence does- thats where this society gets it rocks off. So shame on YOU.

My bad, I meant 2016 not 2006. Peace.

Hello,

First off let me state that, unlike many of you posting here, I AM A CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER. I must say that I truly do appreciate the support and understanding from most of the posters on this site. After serving this city for over twelve years and working the west side, the Rockwell Gardens Housing Projects,and all other armpit areas of this fine city I believe I have amassed enough knowledge and experience regarding this topic that most here cannot match.

Believe it or not Police work IS hard work. To be consistanlty second-guessed by individuals who have learned about police techniques, firearm procedures, crime fighting strategies, self-defense, ballistics, rules and regulations etc. from watching television and reading crime fighting comic books is, to say the least, disheartening.

How many posters here have seen a policeman shot while in front of Cabrini Green, while you were in the building. Then had to systematically search vacant, rat and trash filled apartments smelling of urine and feces searching for a gunman who would kill you if given the chance? I have

How many posters here have been doing their job and were in the process of arresting three dope dealers when a gutless coward, from god knows where, shot at you? I have

How many here have responded to a "man with a gun" call and searched alleys, gangways, and pitch black abandoned buildings looking for the offender? I have

How many here have chased criminals holding guns while holding your pistol in one hand ,radioing a description and direction of flight with the other hand, all the while not knowing if or when the subject may turn around and shoot you? I have

How many here have had friends or family members that they loved and cherished on the job only to see them killed in the performance of their duties? I have

Regarding the honor student that was recently "dispatched" from this world. Police officers are inherently lazy, we do not run unless you are running from us. If we tell you to show us your hands, do it. If we tell you to stop, do it. You do not know if we are responding to a "man with a gun call" and, if you fit the provided description, we will be focusing our attention on you. If you are not the suspect and not carrying a gun, no worries, you will be released after all is well. It's that simple. If you have somthing to hide and are carrying a gun, you may run and we will follow. If you point that gun at me the fun is over. You will not get a second chance to point the gun at me or any other officer or law abiding citizen. I will shoot and aim for the "center mass" "to incapacitate" as I was trained. There is no "shoot to immobilize" for, if I tried to shoot you in your little pinky while I was running after you I would probably miss and possibly hit an innocent person....remember the focus is on YOU...the one running with the gun.

The police do not plant guns on people regardless of what the "expert" on television or at the local tavern says.

It's easy to hate the poilce....that mf'n cop wrote me a speeding ticket...can you believe that f'n cop locked me up for hitting my girlfriend.....man, that cop planted that dope on me...etc. etc. etc. It always seems to be the mf'n cops fault that you broke the law.. please.

It's all so easy to sit back and watch television with a cold drink and a yummy snack and armchair quarterback the actions of the police officer who's doing HIS JOB. If the police bashing posters have such insight and expertise in the field of law enforcement perhaps they should join us and show us how its done....apparantly we just can't get it right.

Being that our profession is extremely dangerous and many have paid the ultimate sacrifice, remember that we do not and should not get paid for what we do...we get paid for what we may HAVE to do.

Again thanks to those who use common sense and
understanding. To those who don't, there's still hope.

Thank you for your time. God Bless and stay safe.

CPD Officer

As a wife of a Chicago Police Officer, I thank God and pray every night that my husband returns home safely. For those of you who continue to bash the police, I have a question for you... Since you think you're so much better and that you can do the job better, why don't you? Why don't YOU become a police officer and put YOUR life on the line EVERYDAY for the people of this city? My husband became a police officer by choice and I chose to stand by him and I will continue to do so. So, if someone is running away and points a gun at him, I hope that my husband "takes him out" before that person has a chance to shoot him or even YOU! Think about that? What would YOU do if someone pointed a gun at you? Not so easy now, is it?
Let's remember this, you can walk around and feel safe in this city because of these fine CPD Officers. They continue to do their jobs even though people continue to bash them, mistreat them and label them as "jerks" "assholes" "beaters" and corrupt. Unfortunately, some of the officers in this city have been on TV for being that way, but that is such a small percentage of them. Let's not generalize this to the good, hardworking, caring police out there..those with a family who would like nothing more but to keep families safe and come home and kiss their wife and kids everynight. They risk their lives to protect YOU.
-

People were quoted as saying that he was running away from the police. Since when was running AWAY from the police constitute deadly force?

No one ever said running contituted deadly force!
The fact that he turned a weapon in the direction of a pursuing police officer certinly constituted the use of deadly force.

"People were quoted as saying that he was running away from the police. Since when was running AWAY from the police constitute deadly force?"

This quote is EXACTLY how and why the majority of the public, (liberal public), are SO quick to jump on something without using the brain God gave them and dig deeper to obtain all the facts on something BEFORE opening their mouths and spewing misled and igonrant banter. I am sick of the liberals using "OH MY OH MY!! ITS FOR THE CHILDREN!! THINK OF THAT POOR BOY!" in every facet of argument. If that 'child' was in the same situation with me- I would have done exactly the same thing-- eliminate the threat. For my safety AND the publics. I go home at night after my watch-- at all LEGAL costs. And pray that every night and day my fellow officers do the same.

Guest # 97 HAS GOT to be kidding.

#52 SOME FACTS FOR YOU...SINCE YOU THINK CABBIES GET KILLED MORE THAN THE POLICE.

Crime fighting has taken its toll. Since the first recorded police death in 1794, there have been more than 14,000 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

A total of 1,533 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty during the last 10 years, an average of one death every 58 hours or 153 per year.

On average, more than 65,000 law enforcement officers are assaulted each year and some 23,000 are injured annually.

The deadliest year in law enforcement history was 1974 when 268 officers were killed. The deadliest decade was the 1970's when a total of 2,182 officers died, or 218 each year. That figure has dropped dramatically to 152 per year.

Its actually SAD, that this person MADDY has an opinion on soo much stuff that she has no clue about. First of all the kid that was shot, was the step son of the highest ranking gang member on the West side. Also the kid has a huge rap sheet, not to mention the fact that he WAS RUNNING with a gun in his hand and turned towards the Police while holding the GUN. ANYTIME this retard wants to go for a ride along, and see for her self what is going on, she should call the 011th District Commander's office and arrange for a Citizen ride a long. Its actually interesting that another person that we know as Mary Mitchell, also reports on things with out knowing all the facts. WE offered her a ride along also, and its interesting that she turned it down also. People are willing to jump on any band wagon when they don t have a life of their own, or an opinion of their own. HEY, I have one for you, go to the schools, the community, and preach to not carry guns, sell drugs, murder people. Instead jump on with Mary Mitchell, Rev Al, Rev Jesse, and everyone else who just wants to comment AFTER the fact, rather than trying to help prevent these incidents from happening again.You only see or hear from certain people after the fact, rather than trying to help the Communities before hand.

#73
I OFTEN WONDER IF GOD LOOKS DOWN ON THE TAX SUCKING WASTES OF OXYGEN GANGBANGERS AND THEIR CLUELESS FAMILIES AND SAY; "WOW WHAT A MISTAKE" GANGS DESTROY THE LIVES OF MILLIONS YEARLY STOP TAKING THE SIDES OF THESE LITTLE PIECES OF SHIT..THEY TAKE AND DESTROY PROPERTY, LIVES, NIEGHBORHOODS, YOU NAME IT AND THEY WILL TAKE IT FROM YOU. BUT THE RAVE BAITERS JESSE JACKSON AL SHARPTON AND OTHER BABY MAKING REVERENDS GET KICK BACKS FROM GANGS AND THATS WHY THEY SUPPORT THEM...THE REVERENDS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO NOT THE POLICE

#97 is obvioulsy NOT a friend of Aaron's but a race-baiting bigot trying to have some fun. No one that would type and speak in ebonics would actually use commas and periods.

The poster is a perfect example of whats wrong with the conservative side of thinking. Hes baiting and should just stay in his mom's basement and be MASTURbaiting.

I can picture him now-- sitting at his very out of date computer, lucky to have an internet dial-up connection, drinking a luke warm Miller High Life, laughing at what he thinks is humor. Take it somewhere else asshat.

HEY LIBERALS
TAKE A PEEK AT THE CITY GOVERNMENT IF YOU WANT TO SEE CORRUPTION AT IT'S BEST...3% OF THE POLICE FORCE HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR FELONIES OVER 20% OF YOUR ALDERMEN ARE FELONS, AND ARE IN OFFICE AND THEY GIVE THEMSELVES RAISES EVERY YEAR...FOR WHAT? (TILLMAN WAS A CRACKHEAD PROSTITUTE)(ONE HISPANIC ALDERMAN IS STILL AN ACTIVE LATIN KING)(ANOTHER ALDERMAN IS A BURGLAR AND ARMED ROBBER) AND AND WHEN YOU CALL FOR THE POLICE AND IT TAKES SO LONG IT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE TO PUT A SQUAD CAR IN FRONT OF BURKE'S OR TILLMAN'S FUCKING HOUSE BECAUSE THEY THINK THEY ARE SO DAMN SPECIAL..AND ENOUGH WITH THE POLICE SHOULDNT HAVE GUNS..BY THE WAY ALDERMAN CAN CARRY TOO

When you are trying to make a point, can you complete and total morons take off the CAPS button?? Its annoying and shows you have no computer knowledge which hints towards you being a little older and just not paying attention.

CAPS ARE COOL!! RUBBER

I have my points in caps because your obviously blind as bats to actually believe what you hear in the gangbanger bias media. Plus you think you know what the police are supposed to do in a deadly force situation yet you have no law degree nor are you a police officer, so take your computer knowledge, pack up your fucking laptop and hang out with your boyfriend at Starbucks stroke. I wish I wish I could pick you liberals up in a bus drop you off in the ghetto and see you fend for yourselves against the animals if they didn't kill you and eat you, I surely would find you naked and bloody calling who else 911 for the horrible bad Chicago police officers to come save you from the horrible savages, and of course we would risk life and limb driving 80 mph through traffic, through fucking morons who don't pull over for us because they are talking on their I-phones, or eating, or putting on their makeup, or day dreaming about that yummy latte they just had, or thinking about their gay liberal lover, or sleeping, or reading the wallstreet journal ...but yet we still risk never seeing our wives or kids or parents just to save YOU!! The ungrateful piece of shit citizen. Keep it up media, keep it up citizens keep bashing us one day you will call and where not coming!!! To all of you FUCK OFF we are through not getting any respect for what we do because of maybe 15 bad seeds out of 9,000 officers, we are done with you ungrateful fucks.

And I DO have a law degree also.

Do they have to shoot to kill? Is there no room for "shoot to immobilize?" As in just injure the guy rather than kill him? Or her, of course

THE POLICE ARE NOT TRAINED TO SHOOT TO IMMOBILIZE. THE POLICE ARE TRAINED TO SHOOT TO KILL. A FIREARM IS NOT USED TO HURT. IT HAS ONE PURPOSE...TO KILL. THE FIREARM IS THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE FOR A POLICE OFFICER AND THEY ARE TRAINED TO USE IT TO TERMINATE THE THREAT. AFTERALL, THE BAD GUY IS NOT SHOOTING AT THE POLICE TO JUST IMMOBILIZE... THEY ARE SHOOTING TO KILL ALSO. SECOND POINT... THE FACT THAT THE OFFENDER WAS SHOT IN THE BACK IS COMPLETLY IRRELEVANT. THE POLICE AND ALSO RELIABLE GOOD CITIZEN WITNESSES STATED THAT DURING THE FOOT CHASE THE OFFENDER HAD TAKEN THE GUN FROM HIS WAISTBAND AND HAD IT IN HIS HAND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ESCAPE. THE LAW STATES THAT THAT OFFENDER CAN BE SHOT EVEN IF IT IS IN THE BACK. IT TAKES ONLY A SPLIT SECOND FOR THAT OFFENDER WHILE RUNNING TO POINT THAT GUN AT SOMEONE IN THE COMMUNITY IN FRONT OF HIM OR JUST START SHOOTING BEHIND HIM. THE POLICE ARE LEGALY JUSTIFIED TO SHOOT AND KILL SOMEONE IF AFTER VERBAL DIRECTION TO DROP THE WEAPON IS GIVEN AND THE OFFENDER REFUSES...EVEN IF IT IS IN THE BACK. THE SHOOTING IS COMPLETLY LEGAL AND RIGHT. PEOPLE... PLEASE KNOW THE FACTS AND THE LAW BEFORE SPEWING YOUR FICTION AND OPINIONS. POLICE OFFICERS HAVE A VERY TOUGH JOB. PEOPLE IN THIS CITY FIGHT, ASSAULT,SPIT AND SHOOT AT THE POLICE EVERY SINGLE DAY IN THIS CITY... IT NEVER MAKES THE NEWS BUT OFFICERS ARE HURT AND SENT TO THE HOSPITAL EVERYDAY BECAUSE THESE POOR CITIZENS WHO ARE "PICKED ON" AND "HARRASSED" BY THE POLICE DONT KNOW HOW TO ACT AS HUMAN BEINGS... TRY WORKING IN THE GHETTO FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, YOU WILL SEE WHAT ITS RESIDENTS ARE REALLY LIKE AND HOW ANIMALISTIC THEY TRULY ARE.

I love how all you real and fake cops, when disagreeing with us evil libs here, either imply we are all pussies or gays.

And we should respect you why?

I realize there are many, many good cops on the force. I just don't see evidence of that here.

I mean, it's easy to be a tough guy when you have a gun and all your other thuggish buddies will back you up and the law doesn't always apply to you.

Fuck gangbangers. But also fuck many of Chicago's "finest".

By the way, dipshits, CAPS DOES NOT MAKE IT ANY MORE TRUE!!!!!

If the cops shooting was unjustifiable, than they should go to jail. That however does not change the fact that Aaron Harrison was a menace to society who would repeatedly terrorized the neighorhood (12 arrests!!!)

It appears that people are unable to hold two opposing thoughts simultaneously. Are there corrupt brutal cops in the 11th, yes. Does that mean everyone they arrest is innocent, hell no.
If a brutal cop were to rough up lets say, Jeffrey Dahmer, would that mean I would protest his beating? No way.

This is not like the Amadou Diallo case in New York where cops shot an unarmed cab driver 40 times.

Aaron Harrison was a common gang banging thug who brandished a weapon!! Someone needs to educate these ignoramuses that pulling out a gun in front of cops is basically suicide. Just like that other gangbanger at Cabrini Green last year. Pulling out a gun on the West Side is a challenge to a gun fight. Don't believe me, drive by Roosevelt and Mozart and pull out a gun and see how the local youths react. Let's see if they shoot to mobilize. The Vice Lords will put a cap in yo ass!!

Aaron is a bad poster boy for police brutality. How many people has he brutalized? Why don't you talk to his victims. Hate to say it, but he had it coming. You live by the sword, you die by the sword.

well, tension is getting thick.

lets all watch this video from chris rock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gCCjFbFXn8

and enjoy.

Fuck gangbangers. But also fuck many of Chicago's "finest".

Do me a favor-- please explin this to the next police officer you call to your house when you have a problem you cant take care of. Loud neighbors, someone breaking into your home, your wife was robbed, etc. "Fuck many of chicagos finest"? How about, again, get some facts first before shooting of your ideals. You will only hear negatives about police work in the meida- there are far more good cops out there than rogue cops. Now Im not going to call you a pussy or a fag, thats not my thing. Im going to call you something far worse-- a bleeding heart liberal-- that is of course until you become the victim of a very violent crime. That seems to change a lot of peoples tunes.

I was with a friend of mines father a few years ago at a bar downtown. He had known the new bartender for a while and asked her, since the elections for President were coming up, if she was a republican or a democrat. She gave the best answer I have ever heard- and I quote- "Im a deomcrat. Until I grow up, then I'll be a republican." Cheers.

I don't trust the cops, but I also don't bring myself into conflict with them. However, I also don't mind when those same cops go cracking the skulls of the little hoodlums running around my neighborhood. To summarize, f**k'm both, but I'll side with the cops because _at least_ they aren't going to mess with me unless I mess with them. The gangbangers will mess with anybody...

Im a police officer... and I can accept that. Nobody really likes the police, but I think its because they have never been the police themselves. Dont forget, never judge a person until you have walked a mile in thier shoes. Overall, I do respect your viewpoint. I really don't need people to like the police, but respect is key. If I get respect from people, I will treat them with respect. If people are yelling at me and treating me like an assho*e on the street then I will always go one level above them. If they are cool, respectful and understanding, I and most police officers will be the same.

Here you go Liberals

This is what we now have to deal with:

Word is filtering in from various Gang Intelligence units that the four-corner-hustlers(The gang that sweet angel was in) have put out a cash reward for anyone shooting at or killing a Chicago Police Officer.

This is what that little animal called his friends!! He is a no good gang banging piece of shit, now hard working tax paying police officer's with wives, children, and parents, have a bounty on their heads..these people are who you support? Because the news and Jesse Jackass tell you too, open your fucking minds look what you are doing to this city. Make sure you keep standing behind the lazy black foke, keep giving that free money for link cards and rims, and cheetos.

Dummycrats have destroyed this nation as a whole, spit on the Constitution, and have allowed criminals to run free with no fear of punishment.

You coppers want respect, yet you turn this into a silly little anti-lib rant?

What the fuck?

Are you really that stupid?

I guess so.

Then again, I must say my image of Chicago cops as bullying, racist, simple-minded thugs sure took a beating with the last few posts. Thanks, coppers and their supporters, for proving the obvious: Chicago cops are morons.

Why does everyone generalize! I am a real liberal(not a democrat, they are conservative) and I agree that the cops were probably justified in shooting this guy. Yes, he didn't deserve to die, but thats a consequence of being a thug in the ghetto! and lets face it.. after 12 prior arrests....he was! People need to stop thinking in terms of black and white, LITERALLY! I also know for a fact that the cops in the 11th district are corrupt! So let them both fight each other! And let me make clear..I am only referring to the 11th district not all police officers.
Peace!

I am only referring to the 11th district not all police officers.

So let me get this straight Mr. Asshat, you have had a run-in with ALL 86 officers in the 011th??? Please. I wil repeat-- YES THERE ARE SOME SHITTY, CORRUPT OFFICERS!! But to generalize is absurd and plain ignorant. You are giving proof that a 'liberal,- not a democrat as you so stated'- is a bottom feeding carbon being useless to a free society. Youre the antithesis of a good democracy.

Somehere asked for "sources" about the shooting scene being a dope house.
Sources ? Dope houses are many and a FACT of life in Lawndale.
No I am NOT familiar with the one on Mozart but I work in Lawndale and have seen many open air drug markets.
Lawndale is a nightmare of a neighborhood.
Just last night a youth was shot and killed at 16th and Lawndale st. A week ago a youth was shot and killed at 13th and Homan, In the 1300 block of S Spaulding is a dope selling spot in front of the red brick project bldg.
Teen boys loiter in front ALL day EVERY day ALL year long.
NO ONE has a right in criticizing the cops who have the misfortune of attempting to patrol this nightmare neighborhood.
SHAME on ALL black 'activists', and so called phony "ministers" who protest against the police in Lawndale.
Spineless false accusers of the police, the Lawndale streets are jam packed with gangs, drugs, and constant daily crime.
Police respond to the calls of mothers, grandmothers, business owners and children who need to be protected.
The boy who was killed was a menace not a benefit to his community. His own mother said he was "NOT an angel".
So he rolled the dice and played the street life 'gangsta' image and it ended up costing him his life. His death is his own fault caused by the many bad choices and behavoirs he chose to participate in.
Any of you angry black protestors against police care to organize a protest vigil for the 45 yr old grandmother postal worker who was gunned down by gang dope pushers bullets in the 1300 block of S Millard a year ago in Lawndale ?
So ironic that PIGs LIKE Al Sharpton will show up to stir up the hornets nest of dope dealing thug 'angry' gang bangers but not shed a tear for black children and grandmothers who are regularly terrorized by the destructive thug forces who rule their communities.
Protest against police is 100 % misplaced, go protest against the THUGS and corner rats who just loiter all day doing nothing but starting trouble and acting all ghetto and menacing.

hey 143, I'm not a cop, I'm a construction worker calling YOU out as a disgrace, how dare you call the cops p--

Your not too educated either > let me spell for you > a s k e d not > "axed"

Someday you will need to call a cop for help, I guarantee that day will come so grow up and change your idiotic attitude and language.

So who is the biggest and baddest gang on the west side? Is it the AVLN, the BGD's, or the C.P.D. After the drive by on Roosevelt I have my money on the C.P.D. Those mofo's are crazy.

The best part was how after comment 73, it was all guest....

And I liked the typing ALL IN CAPS. That was great, too.

I heard people say wait until you need a cop! Really, 911 is a joke. I've called 911 and District 11 headquarters only to be told dissapointed. Yah I'll wait, and wait and wait and wait.....

911 is a joke in my town.

You can't call a headquarter? What do you call this? Stupid moron should have gone to college. Betcha feel like a jackass.

http://www.usacops.com/il/p60612d11/index.html

3151 W Harrison St
Chicago, Illinois 60612
(312)746-8386