CCW'r Shoots Cop in Head 4 Times

[txgho1911]

Go to the news home website and open the latest article. Currently there seems to be 4 stories on this website. One is tittled self defense. Gues what gentle folks. We know nothing to call this anything.
Hopefully an outside agency will will have charge to investigate this correctly. If this is self defense we do have some fireworks ahead.

 

[ilbob]

one of those more information needed kind of stories.

 

[XDKingslayer]

Not to mention that this guy obviously ran after shooting (not good either).

To be honest with you, if I ever have to shoot a known cop in self defence, I'm running too. I'm running directly to my lawyers house.

There is no way I'm going to turn myself voluntarily to his buddies. I'm sure my treatment won't be...unbiased...to say the least.

 

[NG VI]

No criminal record... CCW'er... no apparent probable cause for stop... one dead cop. I'll wait and see how this one turns out before condeming the man.

The whole story seems very odd, this will be an event we will have to keep following. I'd say it's even more interesting than the Joe Horn shootings. Not that a deceased officer is interesting, just the whole event is very weird.

 

[DEDON45]

The CCW permit is irrelevant (yeah, I know, the media will lap it up); this guy would've shot the cop either way, I'm sure. I don't know about Ohio's laws, but here in SC you can keep a gun in your car, loaded, and in an unlocked glovebox, console, etc. My point being, anyone who'd break the law by shooting a police officer (I think we need to see the tape from the video unit in the car, I'm not buying the self defense BS... I bet the guy was just high or drunk and made a BIG mistake), would do it with or without a permit. If the tape doesn't show undue force by the officer, take the shooter, and strap him into your favorite implement of capital punishment.

 

[Deanimator]

Inconvenient yes, but handled diplomatically it is not a violaton of our hypothetical citizen's rights (he is compelled to comply with a legal Police order in such mitigating circumstances) and it has been my experience that in such rare instances people are pretty cool about understanding these issues when they have been subjected to this sort of unusual occurence.

Here in Ohio, I'm generally apt to believe that such things are generally as reported by the police. There have been the odd exceptions, but by and large you don't need to be in fear of your life from the police if you're not committing a violent crime.

I don't have much reason to believe that the cop was up to anything untoward. That judgement is of course subject to change.

 

[TexasRifleman]

The CCW permit is irrelevant (yeah, I know, the media will lap it up); this guy would've shot the cop either way, I'm sure.

Exactly. They are acting like it's some "permit" to become a criminal.

The usual spin masters at work.

 

[jaak]

i dont think he was high or drunk. do we know the ethnicity of the guy, and the cop? race COULD have played a factor... really need more info.

 

[Jim K]

Was the officer in uniform or did he identify himself? There was a case years ago where an officer in civilian clothes saw a man sitting in a parked car that the officer thought was stolen. He stormed up to the car with gun in hand, screaming profanities, and yelling at the guy to get out or he would shoot; he was killed by the man in the car, a federal agent. At no time did he identify himself as an officer or behave like one.

Jim

 

[Bud Tugly]

Unless the shooter has proof that the cop was holding a gun on him and threatening to murder him in cold blood, it's hard to see his self-defense claim holding up. Even if the cop was being overly rough with him, lethal force is only justified in a situation like this if your life is in danger.

The fact that he had one cuff snapped on him sort of impies that the shooting took place while the cop was trying to restrain him. I think his lawyer is going to have a tough time making self-defense fly as justification unless a lot more supporting information comes out.

 

[ny32182]

Sounds like there is going to be a whole lot more to this story than currently meets the eye.

 

[ilbob]

The fact that he had one cuff snapped on him sort of impies that the shooting took place while the cop was trying to restrain him. I think his lawyer is going to have a tough time making self-defense fly as justification unless a lot more supporting information comes out.

Shooting a cop is a tough SD claim, even if it is 100% truly SD.

 

[Rokyudai]

Damn tragic to leave behind a bride and newborn. I know that they will need our prayers/supportive thoughts regardless.

 

[mbt2001]

Hang the perp... I don't care if it was Self Defense, I seriously doubt the cop was actually going to kill him or anything like that. Certainly nothing worthy of this vermins behavior. People lap up police brutality suits... This was over the line no matter what happened out there.

If the investigation turns out that he was 100% justified, then we will riot. But hang the perp. I am tired of officers getting the short end of every stick.

Peace, Officer Miktarian. Justice will be served. Your family will be taken care of.

 

[ny32182]

Unless the shooter has proof that the cop was holding a gun on him and threatening to murder him in cold blood, it's hard to see his self-defense claim holding up. Even if the cop was being overly rough with him, lethal force is only justified in a situation like this if your life is in danger.

The fact that he had one cuff snapped on him sort of impies that the shooting took place while the cop was trying to restrain him. I think his lawyer is going to have a tough time making self-defense fly as justification unless a lot more supporting information comes out.

IF the cop was intending to murder the man, he wouldn't want to do it on dash cam, I assume... which means he would need to take him away from the dash cam, and would probably want to restrain him first. And, if the cop already had his gun trained on the guy at point blank, its over. I'd assume the shooter would want to defend himself prior to the cop getting that much of the drop on him, if the shooter believed the cop intended to murder him.

All completely hypothetical at this point of course.

 

[mbt2001]

IF the cop was intending to murder the man, he wouldn't want to do it on dash cam, I assume... which means he would need to take him away from the dash cam, and would probably want to restrain him first. And, if the cop already had his gun trained on the guy at point blank, its over. I'd assume the shooter would want to defend himself prior to the cop getting that much of the drop on him, if the shooter believed the cop intended to murder him.

We learned nothing from September 11th I guess. YOU CANNOT DEFEND AGAINST THE UNIMAGINABLE!

So if I cop were to pull me over tomorrow and unload a clip in me for virtually no reason, then I guess I am dead. Why? Because I can't imagine an officer actually doing that and if he actually did, I would 0 seconds to respond.

All completely hypothetical at this point of course.

Yeah, kills me when things like this happen... I can't imagine a reason for this behavior.

 

[ny32182]

Hang the perp... I don't care if it was Self Defense, I seriously doubt the cop was actually going to kill him or anything like that. Certainly nothing worthy of this vermins behavior. People lap up police brutality suits... This was over the line no matter what happened out there.

If the investigation turns out that he was 100% justified, then we will riot. But hang the perp. I am tired of officers getting the short end of every stick.

The point of our legal system here in the United States is to determine guilt *prior* to hanging anybody. Then if it turns out the shooter was somehow justified, no rioting will be neccessary.

 

[H088]

Maybe the cop deserved it who knows, I don't believe anything the police say. Most cops cross the line and abuse their power, this guy might have got what was coming to him.

 

[ny32182]

Yeah, kills me when things like this happen... I can't imagine a reason for this behavior.

Maybe they had some sort of "prior relationship". Like I said, if his claim holds any weight, there will be quite a bit more information forthcoming?

9/11?

What?

 

[FieroCDSP]

Many places in Ohio have a noise ordinance, and though i don't have links to them, several of the reports I've seen over the past few days have indicated the loud music was in violation of the local ordinance and that was the primary cause for the stop.

I have also seen at least one news report stating that the suspect HAD a carry permit, but that it had been revoked previously. I haven't seen a verifying report on that.

Regardless, for self-defense, the question has to be asked of what action the officer made to make the defendant believe his life was in danger? Did the officer have intent to cause him serious bodily harm/death? Did he have the means?

From the numerous public accounts of the officer's character, only the third question can be satisfied. yes, in that he's a cop that carries a gun. No, in that the gun was still in the holster.
The facts are that the officer took four rounds to the head at close range(some recovered from the pavement near or under the body), the suspect ran, and that the only eye-witness so far is the suspect's girlfriend who was in the car.
I'll hedge my bets that the suspect panicked for some reason when the cuffs were going on and drew on the officer, putting at least one into his head, then followed up with three once he was down. This is my opinion based on the info I've been able to glean from reports that I've been trying to keep up on.

If this were a legal self defense shooting, even assuming the cop were an actual threat to the suspect's life, one shot would have done it. Why three more? Why run, as everyone knows cop cars have dash-cams, and you have to assume it's running? If you're in the right, the camera will verify it.
There's too many things going against the suspect in this, from the info that's out so far. The dash-cam should have been operating, and would have already cleared this up.

 

[FieroCDSP]

From the Beacon
http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/25495839.html?page=1&c=y

Police retrieve evidence in shooting of Twinsburg officer
Investigators recover bullet slugs where officer fatally shot in Twinsburg

By Phil Trexler and Rick Armon
Beacon Journal staff writers


Published on Wednesday, Jul 16, 2008

Investigators returned a day later to retrieve evidence from the street where a Twinsburg police officer was killed.

Bullet slugs were recovered Monday night from the pavement near the spot that officer Joshua Miktarian was found shot about 36 hours earlier, a police source said.

Investigators with the Summit County sheriff's office returned to Glenwood Drive after an autopsy was performed on the officer's body Monday.

Sheriff's deputies and Twinsburg police are working on the case together.

Twinsburg officer Tom Austin, acting as the department's spokesman, would only confirm that evidence was recovered.

Miktarian was shot four times in the head at close range early Sunday. However, only a single bullet was recovered from his body during the autopsy.

Twinsburg police have scheduled a news conference today.

Meanwhile, Miktarian's wife, Holly, released a written statement through Twinsburg police thanking the community for its support while asking for continued privacy.

Hundreds of residents gathered for a candlelight vigil on Monday night.

''On behalf of myself and our daughter, Thea, we would like to thank the community for its generous support during this difficult time,'' Holly Miktarian said in the statement.

''I just want you to remember Josh as a loving husband, father, good friend, professional police officer and wonderful person. I request that you continue to respect our privacy.''

Twinsburg police today are expected to release police radio traffic and a recording of a 911 call made around the time the officer was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Glenwood.

Ashford Thompson, 23, is accused of aggravated murder in Miktarian's death. He is being held in Summit County Jail in lieu of $5 million bond.

His attorney, Larry Zukerman, has said Thompson fired in self-defense. A prosecutor on Monday called the claim ''laughable.''

Miktarian stopped Thompson's car at about 2 a.m. outside the Twinsburg man's Glenwood home for loud music and suspicion of drunken driving, police sid . Within about two minutes, police believe Miktarian was shot and killed.

Thompson's girlfriend, Danielle Roberson, was inside the car during the stop and has given a statement to investigators. She declined comment when reached by phone Tuesday.

Thompson was arrested at his sister's home in Bedford Heights less than an hour later. Miktarian's handcuffs were still attached to Thompson's wrist, police said.

Miktarian's funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Oakwood. Visitors may call Thursday at Donovan Funeral Home in Tallmadge.

Memorial contributions may be made at any Fifth Third bank branch.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phil Trexler can be reached at 330-996-3717 or [email protected]. Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or [email protected].

 

[usmarine0352_2005]

Exactly. They are acting like it's some "permit" to become a criminal.

The usual spin masters at work.

Well according to that one guy from the Brady Campaign, permit holders commit thousands of crimes a year.

Really.



.

 

[slippingaway]

What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt?

While I agree that on the surface this appears to be a bad situation, There simply isn't enough information to prove the case. All the facts will come out eventually, and then I'll be able to comment. Until then, I truly feel sorry for the family and friends of the officer, and the shooter and his family and friends. I'm sure they are having a hard time as well.

 

[Old Guy]

This reminds me of a statement from my Dad, a long time ago, we were talking about a story in our local paper.

"The only thing you can take as the truth, is on the front page, top right"
Said my Dad, "the price".

The real facts will be what will fly in a trial. Did I say real? Well what the Jury believes is real.

 

[M&PVolk]

I have lots of friends in LE, and maybe that clouds my judgement on this issue a bit, but I have a hard time believing an officer was out to kill this kid. Most of the officers I know just want to make it home at night. Is it possible that this officer wanted this kid dead? Sure, but it's highly improbable.

I will hold off judgement until the case is heard, but I would say this kid's odds are not good.

I feel bad for the officer's family......