You are involved in a shooting wherein you kill the bad guy. You secure the bad guy and the scene to make sure there are no other threats. You check yourself, you a shakens but are basically ok. You hear sirens approaching. You holster up and wait for the cops to arrive with hands in plain view. You follow coomandsof arriving officers. They secure the scene, now they want to question you. What do you do?
After you shoot?
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Otisimo
member
Tell them you understand the gravity of the situation and wish to help but you must have your attorney present.
I hope you understand sir.
I hope you understand sir.
I probably would give a brief description such as:
Then I would shut up except maybe to tell them my name and DOB. Other than that I would keep telling them I wanted to see a doctor at a hospital immediately because I felt very ill. I would not even answer questions about how I felt ill unless of course I had chest pains. If I felt any tightness at all in my chest (which would be likely after such a stressful event, I would inform over an dover again that I had chest pains and believed I was having a heart attack - then let the docs figure it out, all the while waiting for my atty and thinking over what happened). I would refuse the care of paramedics, except for transport and, I would insist on being brought to a doctor at a hospital and, also insist on contacting an attorney.
The only other things I might say would be a description of any other assailants who got away, but I would be very careful to give no details of my actions or the actions of the bad guys that led to shoot other than the brief description I already gave.
I would give that brief description just to give the cops something to go by so as to figure I was the good guy.
Best regards,
Glenn B
Then I would shut up except maybe to tell them my name and DOB. Other than that I would keep telling them I wanted to see a doctor at a hospital immediately because I felt very ill. I would not even answer questions about how I felt ill unless of course I had chest pains. If I felt any tightness at all in my chest (which would be likely after such a stressful event, I would inform over an dover again that I had chest pains and believed I was having a heart attack - then let the docs figure it out, all the while waiting for my atty and thinking over what happened). I would refuse the care of paramedics, except for transport and, I would insist on being brought to a doctor at a hospital and, also insist on contacting an attorney.
The only other things I might say would be a description of any other assailants who got away, but I would be very careful to give no details of my actions or the actions of the bad guys that led to shoot other than the brief description I already gave.
I would give that brief description just to give the cops something to go by so as to figure I was the good guy.
Best regards,
Glenn B
I was told by an LEO to repeat the following when asked any questions regarding a deadly force encounter.
Officer, he was trying to kill me. I want to cooperate fully, but being attacked has really scared me and I would like to talk to a lawyer.
He said this should be an adequate response to almost any question you are asked in such circumstances. He said that this shouldn't cause the officers to view you poorly as they are told to say something very similar in the event that THEY are involved in a shooting.
Officer, he was trying to kill me. I want to cooperate fully, but being attacked has really scared me and I would like to talk to a lawyer.
He said this should be an adequate response to almost any question you are asked in such circumstances. He said that this shouldn't cause the officers to view you poorly as they are told to say something very similar in the event that THEY are involved in a shooting.
In addition to asking for a lawyer, I highly recommend also asking for immediate medical attention from a doctor at a hospital. It is likely your blood pressure is sky high, you may have been injured and not yet realize it because of the adrenalin rush (I had a badly mangled broken finger because of an assault, I did not know it until about 45 minutes after the police left the scene or about an hour of so after the incident - then I reached into my pocket for something and it hurt like Hades), you may have a racing heart beat, you have been psychologically traumatized (without yet knowing it).
All the best,
GB
All the best,
GB
Third_Rail
Member
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Glenn, that's the best response to that type of situation I've heard yet... commited to memory. Thanks for the preparation in case the need ever arises (God forbid...)
Glenn,
The more I think about it, the more I like it. "Officer, he was trying to kill me. I want to cooperate fully, but being attacked has really scared me and I would like to talk to a lawyer. Also, I feel really sick and I need to see a doctor or go to the hospital now."
The more I think about it, the more I like it. "Officer, he was trying to kill me. I want to cooperate fully, but being attacked has really scared me and I would like to talk to a lawyer. Also, I feel really sick and I need to see a doctor or go to the hospital now."
MikeIsaj
Member
Good advice Glenn. I actually agree with you completely on this one. It was bound to happen eventually. You never can be too sure you aren't injured. I had an incident similar to yours, I partially dislocated my shoulder. My partner insisted that I report it and get medical attention. I eventually needed surgery.
Sam
Member
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SN
verbal refusal to answer any questions
And my lawyers card
is all they get.
Got nothing against cops, they are not there for my benefit.
(if they were they would have shot the boy and I wouldn't be asked any questions)
Sam
Rank
SN
verbal refusal to answer any questions
And my lawyers card
is all they get.
Got nothing against cops, they are not there for my benefit.
(if they were they would have shot the boy and I wouldn't be asked any questions)
Sam
Ex-MA Hole
Member
"I was afraid for my life.
Where's my attny?"
FWIW- If I wasn't afraid for my life, then I wouldn't have had to "stop the threat".
Where's my attny?"
FWIW- If I wasn't afraid for my life, then I wouldn't have had to "stop the threat".
Technosavant
Member
I wouldn't even admit to being in any sort of fear. The most I would say might be "I have just been through an incredibly stressful situation, and I would like to make any necessary statements through my attorney."
Admit fear, and a cocky DA might try to prove that you weren't thinking straight.
Admit fear, and a cocky DA might try to prove that you weren't thinking straight.
Technosavant
Member
John, I simply would say NOTHING. Saying nothing isn't admitting to anything. if you admit to being in fear, then that could be used to show you had an unreasonable fear (as opposed to a reasonable one). They would hear that I was in fear for my life- later, through my lawyer.
Sistema1927
Member
"I was in fear for my life. I would like to cooperate fully with your investigation, but I will not be able to answer any of your questions until my attorney is present."
Thing You Probably Should Not Say
-He needed killing
-Officer, where the !@#$%^& were you when I needed you?
-You want a statement? I got yer !@#$%^ statement right here
-I only shot him six times because my gun only holds 6 bullets.
-That last one was for Betty
-None of this would have happened if he hadnt tried a fast one
-Boy I guess those Gold Dots really do work
-Wait til the boys at the gun store hear about this
-He needed killing
-Officer, where the !@#$%^& were you when I needed you?
-You want a statement? I got yer !@#$%^ statement right here
-I only shot him six times because my gun only holds 6 bullets.
-That last one was for Betty
-None of this would have happened if he hadnt tried a fast one
-Boy I guess those Gold Dots really do work
-Wait til the boys at the gun store hear about this
El Tejon
Member
Rabbi, oy veh, you'll keep me awake tonight. 
trickyasafox
Member
another statement i wouldn't say is:
hey! anyone want to see a dead body!?!?!
hey! anyone want to see a dead body!?!?!
Why hang around waiting for the cops to show up?
Okay, they are right there on the scene. I would say "Officer, that SOB just tried to kill me." (A little emotion is okay.) I wanna' see my union delegate and lawyer. (LEO's can relate to that.) "I got chest pains" (I'm old enough to really have chest pains.) "Call an ambulance for me." Then I would collapse.
I crack up when I see comments "I feared for my life." Nobody this side of Revolutionary War Williamsburg, VA talks like that after a shooting and near death experience.
Okay, they are right there on the scene. I would say "Officer, that SOB just tried to kill me." (A little emotion is okay.) I wanna' see my union delegate and lawyer. (LEO's can relate to that.) "I got chest pains" (I'm old enough to really have chest pains.) "Call an ambulance for me." Then I would collapse.
I crack up when I see comments "I feared for my life." Nobody this side of Revolutionary War Williamsburg, VA talks like that after a shooting and near death experience.
rwc
Member
If you have time it is also worth getting a hold of your spouse or a friend and asking them to call X defense lawyer and to have X meet you at the station to which you will be transported. Don't say why, just tell them you are ok but you need X now.
If you don't know a criminal defense lawyer, ask any lawyer, judge or LEO who they would use. Every community has a couple folks at the top of the heap.
And when thinking about this scenario, or when the homicide detective wants to "sweat you" as you repeat your desire to talk to your lawyer, remember all those lawyer jokes you once thought were funny.
If you don't know a criminal defense lawyer, ask any lawyer, judge or LEO who they would use. Every community has a couple folks at the top of the heap.
And when thinking about this scenario, or when the homicide detective wants to "sweat you" as you repeat your desire to talk to your lawyer, remember all those lawyer jokes you once thought were funny.
FPrice
Member
If I am able to speak coherently I would try to outline what happened, focusing on what the other person did to warrant my response and then ask for a lawyer.
Mas Ayoob wrote an article about a landlord in Miami (?) who ended up shooting a violent tenant and then going to jail for over a year because he would not talk to officers. The deceased's wife made many emotional (and false) accusations and gained the immediate moral and legal high ground for her dirtbag (dead) husband. Now the landlord eventually was found not guilty but at the cost of many months of his life.
Unless you are absolutely beyond any doubt sure that the evidence will point to your being in the right and that the police will immediately see this and take your side, you should try to get your story out to protect yourself.
Mas Ayoob wrote an article about a landlord in Miami (?) who ended up shooting a violent tenant and then going to jail for over a year because he would not talk to officers. The deceased's wife made many emotional (and false) accusations and gained the immediate moral and legal high ground for her dirtbag (dead) husband. Now the landlord eventually was found not guilty but at the cost of many months of his life.
Unless you are absolutely beyond any doubt sure that the evidence will point to your being in the right and that the police will immediately see this and take your side, you should try to get your story out to protect yourself.
As I was trained, and as common sense (to me) dictates: ask for a Doctor and a Lawyer, in that order. Then keep your mouth shut. Personally, I would ask for a change of underwear and a shot of bourbon first, and then for the Doctor and Lawyer (no Indian Chiefs required).
Technosavant
Member
FPrice, I think you are always going to find a situation where the standard answer fails you. It depends greatly on the attitude of the DA and the police, but generally, I think you are going to find that anything done in haste ("getting the story out") will often put you in more peril, not less.
Zach S
Member
"No offense, but I'd rather my lawyer present." I'd pretty much keep my mouth shut, but I dont want to make their job any harder so I wouldnt be to the point where I was really uncooperative. If they asked where I or the BG was standing I'd probably answer that.
"Officer, here is my ID and my CCW, I would be happy to tell you everything, but on advice of my attorney I will wait till he is present and I have had a chance to collect my thoughts. As soon as my attorney is present I will make a full statement"
Battlespace
Member
Seeking medical care and contacting an attorney is the best advice. I have asked several LEO about the sequence of events in a shooting and they are all taken to the local ER for evaluation. An armed citizen involved in a shooting should expect the same. More than likely your BP will rocket up causing light headedness and other reactions. Better to tell the LEO a brief "he was trying to kill me" statement and then ask for immediate transport to the ER and a call to your attorney. I hope your attorney has been placed on retainer and does not mind 2:00 AM calls.
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