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| Officer allegedly draws weapon on 7-year-old girl |
By Deborah M. Todd |
Published
09/15/2006
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Metro
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Mother, daughters stopped on way to Pee Wee League football game
 | HARASSED--Pamela Lawton, center, holds her daughters, Jasmine, 8, left, and Joshalyn, 7. Lawton claims a police officer threatened to shoot Joshalyn.
| What was supposed to be a typical drive through a peaceful Shadyside neighborhood, turned into a standoff with a police officer threatening the life of a 7-year old girl, according one local mother.
Pamela Lawton of the Hill District said on Aug. 26, she was on her way to Homewood for a Pee Wee League football game with her two daughters, 7-year old Joshalyn, 8-year old Jasmine, and two other children ages 2 and 3. She said she was driving her green, 1998 Ford Windstar and was approaching the intersection at Kentucky Street and Negley Avenue when a Pittsburgh Police cruiser signaled for her to pull over.
“He was flying up behind me and I stopped immediately because I wanted to stay in view,” said Lawton. “I felt like there was something wrong—why would he fly up behind me like that? Plus, I had my kids in the car so it kind of scared me.”
What Lawton said happened next was beyond anything her initial fears predicted.
“I said, ‘What’s the problem, officer?’ and he said ‘Get your hands up,’” wrote Lawton in a prepared statement. “He repeated, pulled out his gun and pointed into the passenger side of the window where my youngest daughter was trying to get her seatbelt off. So, I put my hands up.”
According to Lawton, she and her children spent the next 20 to 30 minutes trying to convince Officer Eric Tatusko to put his weapon down or to at least go to the driver’s side to address the problem with the only adult in the car.
“The children were in the car screaming and crying,” she wrote. “My hands were still in the air and I was screaming ‘Help, someone help!’ over and over again.”
Florence Williams, a resident at the Kitley House Senior Center on Kentucky Street, said she didn’t see everything that happened that morning, but she knows she heard the cries for help.
“I happened to hear somebody screaming and I came to my porch,” Williams said. “I don’t know what the cop was doing because he was on the other side, but she had her arms out the door and she was hollering ‘Please, somebody help me.’”
During this time, Lawton says Tatusko refused to take her identification, never told her why she was stopped and never left the passenger side of the vehicle. She said at one point the officer got so angry he cocked his gun and said if Joshalyn moved again he would “blow her brains out.”
“He clicked the thing back and then he turned off his radio,” said Jasmine. “I was like ‘He’s going to kill us.’”
“Me and the babies were crying and (Jasmine) jumped over me for my life, and I thank my sister for doing that,” said Joshalyn.
A witness at the scene said Tatusko kept his gun drawn at the passenger side window until more officers came to the scene and told him to drop the weapon.
“When I turned the corner, there were 10 police cars and (Lawton) was in the middle,” said Rick Hill, an employee of Shadyside Nursing Rehab on Kentucky Avenue. “I heard her hollering for help and she had her hands out the window and everything. The cop already had his gun, not on her, but on the other side. When I looked in there she had kids. One cop said ‘If the kids move again, we will shoot.’”
Hill, who left a frantic voice message on Lawton’s sister’s phone during the standoff, said that once more officers arrived, they searched the vehicle for a weapon and found nothing. He also said Tatusko, who was not available for comment, was told to get into another vehicle and leave the scene.
Since that day, Lawton says she has struggled to come to terms with what happened to her family. The Shuman Center employee and former nurse, who changed careers to become part of the law enforcement community, said she doesn’t understand why she was treated as she was before, during and after the standoff. From the time she was pulled over to when she said police Lt. Cindy Windsor told her to shut up or ‘You’re going to jail and your kids are going to CYF,’ Lawton believes she and her children were treated worse than most criminals.
Lt. Windsor declined to comment other than to say that she was off of work that day. Tammy Ewin, spokesperson for the Pittsburgh Police, also declined to comment because of the case’s status with the CPRB.
As it was, Lawton ended up being cited for an insurance violation. She was fined and her car was towed, but according to her, the ultimate cost has already been paid with her daughters’ security and peace of mind.
“Your inspection can be wrong, your license can be wrong, there’s no reason for (police) to come to the passenger side and pull a gun out and aim it through the window of a 7-year old,” she said.
“I can’t even sleep at night, I just think about it every day,” said Joshalyn. “They got it deep in my mind. “He was talking to me the whole time.”
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Comments
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Comment #1
(Posted by Anonymous)
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What will be next?
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Comment #2
(Posted by Vaughn)
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I read this article in the September 13th issue of the Courier. Needless to say it was very, very disturbing. Unfortunately, I was left wondering why this happened, did the officer have a mental problem, was he on drugs, was the child carrying drugs or a gun, was the officer fired, reprimanded, charged with child endangerment? Did he apologize? And since the article didn't depict any of the other officers that arrived on the scene as sympathetic, who offered to take her home since her car was towed? I wasn't interested in seeing pictures of the victims but much more interested in seeing a photo of the police officer. Did the mother get a lawyer or contact the NAACP? It just left a lot of questions and no indication of closure since this happened 20 days ago.
I thank God that the mother and her babies were not harmed by this obviously poorly trained officer. It just goes to show you that it doesn't matters not whether you're 7 or 70; if your skin is dark your life is worth very little in the eyes of some people who are given, literally, a license to kill.
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Comment #3
(Posted by DIESEL)
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Same crap, different year. Nothing has changed. We're still treated like animals in cages. This case will slip into the background like all the rest. But the family will never forget the day a so-called protector of rights, freedom and liberty, pointed a gun in their daughters' face.
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Comment #4
(Posted by Tillman)
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I hope this isn't the end of this story. This officer and his cohorts should be reprimanded, an apology needs to be made to this woman and her children and retribution made to the family. This is truly sad and disturbing yet not surprising.
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Comment #5
(Posted by Paradise Gray)
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We should all show up here on Monday!
Public hearing on Pittsburgh police conduct towards public.
Monday - September 18th, 2006 - 6:00 PM
City Council Chambers
510 City-County Building
414 Grant St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Reserve speaking time today!
Tell your story: (limited to 3 minutes)
412-765-8023
cprb@city.pittsburgh.pa.us
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Comment #6
(Posted by Na Na)
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That's crazy! It’s not even humane to do something like that, especially to a little girl, let alone a child period. If I were you, I would fight that! So what your insurance was violated; but that is unlawful, what those officers had done to you!
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Comment #7
(Posted by Paradise Gray)
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America's original domestic terrorist's are still on the job
I watched Jonny Gammage killed in Pittsburgh by over-zealous racist police officers.
I watched the guiltiest of the officers who lynched him, "Officer John Vojtas," get a promotion and a raise.
I have watched Jerry Jackson shot and killed in a hail of 51 bullets in Armstrong tunnel by Pittsburgh police officers. I watched them justify it with lies cover-ups and red tape. I watched officers on the scene change their story and tell the truth only to have their boss say that he would not review the case.
I have watched the FBI ransack a local Mosque on their day of prayer.
I have watched armored vehicles roll through Homewood.
There are many other horror stories involving Pittsburgh and surrounding areas regarding racist police officers; some we have heard, but most we have not. Like what happened in a recent case where a Braddock man was killed by the police?
The local news is choosing not to cover many of these incidents, which seem to be occurring all too often. I have watched the people do nothing!
I don't know about you, but I'm tired of watching from the sidelines. I will not sit back and watch the police or anyone else put guns in 7 and 8 year old little girl’s faces and threaten to blow their heads off! We demand justice. These officers may be above the law that we pay them to uphold, but they are still under God. They still have to answer for it when they step over the line. And the actions of Officer Eric Tatusko were way over the line on August 26, 2006.
If we don't stand up and do something about the conditions in our community how can we even look our women in the eye? Look at what we are allowing to happen to our women and children; we should be ashamed of ourselves. I am not asking that anyone do anything stupid, I'm just suggesting that y’all do what men do when their children are at risk. I'm not asking y’all to blow up, just show up. We must organize! If you think things are bad right now in America for our people you ain’t seen nothing yet!
In the name of "Homeland Security" they are stepping all over "The Constitution" and the Bill Of Rights" daily. Passing mind boggling new laws, bypassing the Geneva convention and FEMA has built over 600 new concentration camps in America, who do you think that they are gonna fill them up with? I just read in the paper the other day that House Speaker John M. Perzel is proposing to spend 4 Hundred and Fifty Million Dollars to hire 10,000 new police officers in Pennsylvania. 1,000 new officers for Allegany County alone. Does that make you feel any safer? The local jails are already over crowded and under staffed. Where are they gonna put people arrested by 10,000 new cops? Many of you may think ignorance is bliss, but unlike Cipher (the snitch from The Matrix) reality is gonna come to you no matter which pill you take… Blue, Red, Ecstasy, Viagra or Eminem's Purple pills.
I am angry right now. I don't think y’all feel me, I am mad as hell! But, I am not as angry at the police officer as I am at myself and everyone around me. We have been attempting to organize and motivate others around us, but we are not doing as good a job of putting good people together to combat problems in our communities, as we should. I hate reacting to every bad thing that happens to our people. I long for a time when we have our shit together so well that we stop this from happening before it starts. A time that the police department would better screen their officers for drug addiction, steroids, greed, corruption, racism and such things because they would fear the repercussions of letting these monsters loose in our communities. As it is, they have no reason to fear us. They have physically kicked our asses for over 400 years and we still haven't figured it out yet! We are still trying to make them better, instead of doing for ourselves, patronizing our own businesses and building our own schools. Instead we send our children to be educated by the enemy, and when the enemy educates you, you become like him. You become your own worst enemy.
Why am I using such a harsh word as "enemy"? The Government is having a hard time painting us as domestic terrorists, so they have come up with a new term: "Enemy Combatant" and passed a new law: "The Enemy Combatant Law" that will allow them to bypass the Constitution and treat American citizens as they have the inhabitants of Guantanamo Bay. They are now able to arrest Americans without proper warrants, without reading them their rights, without giving them a phone call, without giving them access to a lawyer. They can hold you indefinitely without charging you with a crime or even admitting that they have you in custody. Do you understand yet?
Besides, anyone who shoves a gun in the face of a 7 year old child is definitely not my friend. One thing I know is that Officer Eric Tatusko surely isn't Officer friendly! He should be suspended without pay immediately pending an investigation into this incident and a peek into his past. Then upon finding him guilty, he should be fired without a pension and arrested for brandishing a firearm, making terroristic threats and disturbing the peace. We should not reward him with a promotion and a raise.
If you are in the Pittsburgh area come out tomorrow!
There is a Civilian Police Review Board meeting:
Monday - September 18th, 2006 - 6:00 PM
City Council Chambers
510 City-County Building
414 Grant St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Call: 412-765-8023 to reserve 3 minutes of speaking time.
cprb@city.pittsburgh.pa.us
Everyone who is interested in justice should show up at this meeting, but it should be of particular interest to Black men. It is time for us to be responsible for our families and community. So many of us should show up that they should have standing room only and a large crowd outside that can't fit in. All sinners and saints alike should be at this meeting showing our love and commitment for the safety of our women and children.
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Comment #8
(Posted by Jitu Brown)
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It is sobering to realize that in America, where we all pay taxes and are indoctrinated to believe we are a "free" society, our lives are not worth a dime. It is evil, that's right, evil to inflict terror on innocent children, let alone law-abiding citizens. I am moved to submit a comment from Chicago because this happens everyday. It is clear that the institutions that are supposed to be in place to improve our quality of life in reality, keep us in "our place." We cannot be afraid to speak about this as fact, not "wild, militant ranting." These are often the catch phrases used to de-legitimize our cries for fair play and justice. When people who are supposed to protect our rights do evil and inhuman deeds like this and institutions sanction that evil by covering it up, we cannot be silent. No matter what your political philosophy, we cannot support this type of rape of basic human rights. When do our children see men and women that will defend their rights to grow in an environment that is safe and aids them in reaching their full potential? To the police officers and department; there is no excuse for this behavior; not exhaustion, drugs, temporary insanity or anything. When you sit with your children at night, do you tell them that you conduct yourself as a beast? Do you tell them how many children you have permanently scarred by inflicting a fear and a hopelessness that never leaves? We don't expect you to understand. You don't have the political or most importantly, the spiritual will to do so. We have to demand ACCOUNTABILITY from these institutions that we help keep afloat. ACCOUNTABILITY. To the mother and her children, you are in my thoughts and to all of Pittsburgh, please make your voices heard.
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Comment #9
(Posted by LISA)
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This is scary! That officer should be fired. I work at the ACJ and have been asking every officer I see about this. They all deny knowing about (they cover their own) bit too bad that Mayor O’Connor is gone because under his rule this would be dealt with. I am going to try to send this to as many people as I can to attend this Monday meeting. I suggest you all do the same.
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Comment #10
(Posted by mia)
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Yes I hope several Black americans as well as Hispanics will participate at the Monday police meeting.
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Comment #11
(Posted by Troy Nkrumah)
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"[Expletive] the police!" And this is exactly why we see them as the enemy of the Black and brown community!!!! Serve and Protect who? DEVILS!
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Comment #12
(Posted by MistaO)
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Another loser on the police force. Coward as well to attack an innocent child.
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Comment #13
(Posted by Taneka)
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Another fine police officer's name is dragged through the mud. It's a shame.
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Comment #14
(Posted by N Cook)
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That is absolutely absurd! I hope the police officer is put on leave without pay while this is investigated, and subsequently is fired for this. He needs SERIOUS mental help!
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Comment #15
(Posted by Mary)
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I wish that I had more advanced notice about the meeting tonight. I promised my son to do something with him this evening. Otherwise I would have liked to bring him to this event. Please send out this kind of information in advance so that people can make plans.
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Comment #16
(Posted by P. Lindsay)
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It appears P.O. Tatusko had a mental breakdown. Is he a war veteran ??? And.........How many other loose cannons are serving on jobs that permit one to carry weapons ??!!!!
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Comment #17
(Posted by Jask Sankofa)
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Quite obviously, African-Americans have a duty to themselves and their children to stop this type of thing. The police have long been the enemy of Black Americans, and at some point, as we have in the past, we will have to take the risk of standing up to them. It will entail more than writing on line, blogging, or protesting at a community meeting.
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Comment #18
(Posted by Olivia Payne)
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Well, this is all news to me. I never heard about any of this or saw anything on the news. Of course they are going to deny it and not make a big media frenzy about it. Just like when our young people go missing, there is no "Amber Alert." Just like when one of our women is raped, beaten and/or kidnapped, there is no news story or we are portrayed in the media as "jigaboo whores." I cannot make tonights meeting, as I have a 6:30pm class, but I do hope those that can attend will make themselves heard. I know we probably won't change anything over night but eventually, we will get justice; in life of death. Maybe someone should have taken this incident national. The Today Show loves stories like this.
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Comment #19
(Posted by Red)
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Please don't feel that all of us are the enemy (I am not a cop, but I am white). I am disgusted by this officer's behaviors. I hope they fire his ass, especially if he is racist. I agree with the poster who said that potential cops should be screened for such things. You cannot (SHOULD NOT) become a public servant, and have racist or bigoted or discriminatory beliefs. My heart goes out to that family, who have certainly been traumatized by this outlandish incident. How can this family ever be expected to call upon law enforcement officials in a time of crisis? Yes, they should FIRE HIS ASS, and he should be forced to apologize to this family AND the public.
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Comment #20
(Posted by egon)
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Remember on V for Vendetta when that Finger man (Police Officer) shot that little girl at the climax of the movie? That's the first thing I thought of when I read the title to this article. That movie is becoming truer every day. Sigh.
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Comment #21
(Posted by Anonymous)
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How sad
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Comment #22
(Posted by Regiee)
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To: Comment #19 (Posted by Red)
Nowhere in the above article does it mention the cops race. Why do you assume he is white???
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Comment #23
(Posted by Maddie)
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This is absolutely disgusting and awful. Not only was Tatusko's behavior just nasty, but it looks like Lt. Windsor was being almost as bad. Shut up or go to jail? Shut up about what? She was screaming for help, and rightfully so.
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Comment #24
(Posted by Anonymous)
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No one is assuming his race here. Only the fact that he could be racist.
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Comment #25
(Posted by Tony Wilk)
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The reason I rated this article so poorly is not because of the quality of information or the format or the way the article is written. Indeed I am not a critic of writers. I say this article is poor because it had to be written in the first place.
What the.... is going on in the USA, in particular Pittsburgh? Right now so many emotions are going through me! And of course the overriding one is...REVENGE. But we must be smarter than striking out foolishly. Now, that's easy for someone sitting half the world away to say. But know this, I was born and raised in Pittsburgh until the age of 18. I've lived through the summer of the 70's riots in Pittsburgh where innocent woman and children being victimized beaten and abused. When will we learn? Has history taught us nothing?
The only way to have peace and be able to live without fear is to come together, support your Black businesses and encourage not discourage each other. I have lived in Australia for 26 years. I have seen this country grow, some good some bad. But the most amazing thing that I have seen is the influx of people from all over the world. Sudanese, Kenyan’s Asians, South Africans Indians people from every culture. And you know what they do? They support each other's businesses, they form their own communities and I watch them get stronger and stronger.
You want to know the sad part, out of all these many many different nationalities that have come to this country in the past 25/26 years, African/Americans have yet to even put in an effort to support each other. And it's the same thing in the USA. And as long as we operate as individuals, we are targets. Because the police officers in this case know most Black people just want to avoid hassles. Until it is one voice speaking for the masses or the masses speaking as one voice, we will always be victimized because we are Black!
What can I do from so far away? I personally cannot sit back and watch the greatest race of people who ever lived be slowly and systematically be wiped off the planet. Overly dramatic? So is murder and mayhem. Have we been pacified for so long that we've forgot about the struggles our ancestors and what they sacrificed so we can live a better life.
Well what about generations to come. Will your grandchildren be the new slaves?
Looking in from the outside it looks as if we as a race would not hesitate to kill another brother or sister for looking at us the wrong way. BUT THE POLICE AND GOVERNMENT CAN KICK US ALL OVER AND WE DO NOTHING. American rappers talk all the time about beating another Brother down or pissing on our queens. Well what are they doing now when their brothers and sisters are being beaten and threatened by police? From the outside, it appears most Black people have gotten SOFT. East Coast vs. West Coast! THEN WHAT? Anyway, I’m so angry right I had to spit it out or I’ll go nuts. What can I do from Australia? Let me know.
Peace & Love
Brother From Down Under
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Comment #26
(Posted by Anonymous)
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I just wanted to ask those people of color reading this article to keep in mind that many people who happen to have white skin abhor what this officer did. Were I in Pittsburgh and not Chicago, I would have attended that meeting after reading that story. How utterly horrific. But please do not respond to racist generalizations with racist generalizations; all white people do not applaud with or side with this officer's horrific and criminal actions. To those who are attempting to get this woman and her children the justice they deserve, and this officer the retribution and contempt he deserves, I applaud you and wish you the best of luck from my heart.
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Comment #27
(Posted by Will)
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This is messed up. I hope that damn pig cop got suspended or fired. Something. I can't understand what the hell is wrong with people. Sick.
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Comment #28
(Posted by Tom H)
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So what happened today then?
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Comment #29
(Posted by Jan)
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I have an interesting twist on this. I hear repeated stories of cops using steroids, and wonder if these sort of behaviors could be steroid driven?
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Comment #30
(Posted by Anonymous)
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This is a very disturbing story, but there was no explanation. No what's the word? Journalism. Acting as an uncaring, unthinking observer is what cameras are for; reporters need to do more. Until you find out what was going on - from more than one source - you don't have a story, you have rumor.
While I disagree that reporters should be more than an uncaring observer (I really wish more reporters were far, far less biased), I completely and wholly agree that the reporting here is far, far less complete than a story of this magnitude demands.
There are gaping, huge holes in this story and until they're known, anyone who takes one side of the other of this is just as guilty of uneducated bias as this reporter is.
Tell the whole story!! There are too many holes!!
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Comment #31
(Posted by Anonymous)
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This cop sounds just evil and crazy. Why do you have to always make it about race? Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't.
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Comment #32
(Posted by Sherry Andeits)
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This is amazing that this still happens. Police officers in our area are on a serious power trip and totally traumatizing innocent families. What can a 7 year old do that can justify putting a gun to his or her head...absolutely nothing!! That officer should be removed from the force. He's going to end up killing someone, and will end up getting away with it because cops cover for other cops. It is ridiculous for someone to feel they need to exert that much power over a 7 year old. Aren't there supposed to be psych tests to keep wackos from becoming police officers? How did this one and others slip thru? Perhaps there should be a better REVIEW SYSTEM of police conduct.
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Comment #33
(Posted by Michelle)
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I feel so horrible for that little girl and her family. No one should experience abuse like that at the hands of those 'to serve and to protect.' I can hardly believe this is the kind of Free State we feel the need to export, to overthrow 'repressive' regimes for. I'm not saying other states aren't in bad shape, but who's throwing stones first here? What a tragic example of modern America. We have a long way to go towards true freedom and democracy, and no excuse can be made for this kind of short coming. Even if the officer did have a problem (mental, substance, etc), who let him have a gun in that condition?
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Comment #34
(Posted by Bry)
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I live in NY, so I can not attend the public meetings. But, is there anything that can be done to keep this officer off the street and out of a job? This is disgusting, and heart wrenching, to hear that people are still treated this way. My heart and prayers go out to this family.
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Comment #35
(Posted by JustMe)
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Doesn't feel like the whole story is known. Something's missing. What spooked the cop? What's his statement? What was the other cop who said 'if the kid moves again we shoot' spooked by? Did the cop think he saw a weapon? Was her car similar to one used before that in a crime?
Not the whole story.
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Comment #36
(Posted by Horizon)
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She could've had a weapon, she should've just sat still until he came up to her - there's no reason he would've gone to the passenger side unless she did something to make him suspicious enough to check out that side first.
And, I rated this low because you have a few errors, too.
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Comment #37
(Posted by Bob)
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Wow, I thought here in Los Angeles we had the market sewn up far as psycho wacked law enforcement industry personnel go... looks like I was sadly misinformed! Sorry to hear it. Wish I could attend the meeting.
By the way, this story is getting pretty good national press coverage.
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Comment #38
(Posted by Nick)
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Biased story with no balanced reporting. Completely fails to give any account of why the Officer pulled them over.
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Comment #39
(Posted by Jennifer)
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I understand everyone's sentiments on the subject, but as rational individuals, we should not generalize cops as racists. Even past actions of SOME (not all) cops does not constitute generalizations of this nature.
While it is true that some cops have had racist acts towards minorities, nothing really proves that this is the reason in this case, and people should know not to assume anything. Perhaps he had a mental breakdown? Anything could have happened. Would race be the question if it was a white teen driving the car? No, people would assume he's being stereotypical to young drivers. No one should make stereotypes. I hate being stereotyped, and I'm sure everyone else does too. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and while I respect that, I do not respect opinion being represented as fact.
I do not personally know any cops, besides my intro to criminal justice teacher, and she's an ex-cop, and minority. So please stop laying blame to the cops that are, in no way, involved in incidents such as these except for the fact that they are "cops". Thanks for allowing me to share my opinion, and some philosophical theories, as well as universally accepted definitions about fact and opinion.
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Comment #40
(Posted by Essell Chapman)
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Thanks for that story. In all it's horror it has served to convince me that Pittsburgh is not a city I want to visit any time soon.
I consider myself a model citizen. A double United States government retiree that served my country honorably for twenty-two years in the US Army and for twenty-years in another federal government agency. I survived at least one war and have no desire to be shot, unjustifiably, by a deranged Pittsburgh cop, who can't tell the difference between a real threat and a perceived threat, which seems to be a qualification for employment. I am willing to bet that at least fifteen percent of metropolitan police officers suffer from some form of psychosis manifesting in a wide range of complexes.
Children look to police officers as a paternal protector not as pathological peccants. My sympathies are with the young mother and her children. May God bless and keep them safe. I look forward to the day that society will hold our "protectors" as accountable as they tend to hold the military for real, or perceived, atrocities.
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Comment #41
(Posted by anonymous)
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Wow, people are saying that only minorities should unite? How about every race and culture unite? That sounds better to me. I would love to see a united world, but I don't think that will come about while I'm alive, or while anyone's alive for that matter (with the way things are between other countries and the U.S., let alone how people in the U.S. treat one another).
It's nice to see that people still class race. Greatest race? Is there a greatest one? I sure don't think so. It's nice they have pride in their heritage though. I'm personally from Texas, and prefer people not to say anything about Texas unless they really know people from here, and not stereotyping. Thanks. No, we aren't cowboys, nor do all of us use improper grammar when speaking.
Peace.
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Comment #42
(Posted by Tyler)
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This article may be quite biased.
I bet this woman failed to comply with any of the officer's orders. I also bet that the reason the policeman was on the passenger side window was because she rolled her window up and refused to get out of the car. The article notes that it was not only this one cop that was threatening to shoot.
Yeah, I bet this one cop was angry. Maybe he stepped out of line. I bet he was provoked to do so. I bet she failed to comply with anything. I bet she threw a fit. I bet the only reason she is not being charged with crimes of insubordination is because of this card she pulled with the media about being scarred for life by the injustice of the police.
Don't be fooled by such a one-sided story. This woman is not entirely innocent.
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Comment #43
(Posted by tk)
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What is the whole story? The Police officer had to have a reason to pull over the car and it’s not only because they were Black. It seems like any time a Black person gets pulled over and something happens it’s always stated that the cop is racist. The same thing happens to white people but the racist card is not played. Don’t worry they will sue the police department and the city and be rich. I’m white and have had the police pull their guns on me when I was a kid and as an adult but it was for something.
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Comment #44
(Posted by Matt CT)
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The main point that people are starting to miss here is that police need to be HELD ACCOUNTABLE for what they do to all races. We need to come together to put an end to the over abuse of power by police. I'm tired of having this happen to me, my friends family members and seeing people I know shot or beaten by police whether its in PA or CT. Divided we will never be able to take this on. Aren't we tired of hearing these cops say "I thought they were reaching for a weapon" as the answer for why they killed someone.
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Comment #45
(Posted by tk)
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The article doesn't mention skin color yet most of the comments here make the assumption that every police officer was white and was in the wrong. "Can't we all just get along?" Apparently not, because every action is always perceived as being motivated by racism. Anyone who waves the flag of racism is furthering the cause of keeping people apart. Don't call such actions as pointing a gun at a 7 yr old girl as racist, just say it's wrong. Isn't the idea of pointing a gun at a child horrible enough? Isn't it just about the most horrific thing you can think of? Skin color doesn't make it worse; it detracts from the original monstrous nature of the offense. If he is white, if every one of the cops was white, don't call it racism; call it POINTING A GUN AT A CHILD.
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Comment #46
(Posted by SoCal Reader)
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Wrong is wrong. There is absolutely NO justification for pointing a gun at a child.
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Comment #47
(Posted by Steve)
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