Hell I'd be surprised if he even knew the kid was 13 until after the fact. Dark alley at 230am. As far as he knew he was pursuing an armed and dangerous suspect with a gun known to have been fired at vehicles.
Barring further info, I'm inclined to agree with you. 2:30 am, report of shots fired, dark alley...not a good combo.
If you are drawing a gun, you are employing deadly force. You do not maim or warn with a gun. There are other tools for that. Center mass, every time. Aiming for an appendage in a high pressure scenarios is a fools errand. "Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy."
Actually, such studies as have been done are not very encouraging. Cops aren't good at hitting center mass, much less limbs...
It's exactly why they should be aiming center mass. You won't be hitting anything otherwise.
Too many westerns and latter-day flicks with miracle shots...
Everyone thinks Quigley Down Under is a realistic depiction of sharpshooting.
As far as he knew, he was pursuing a 13 year old. You can't shoot until you know what you are shooting.
Or a short adult. Short/small people are just as dangerous as large/tall ones.
He shot an obviously armed suspect fleeing the scene of a crime with a gun that had been discharged as indicated by shotspotter and whom he had reasonable suspicion was raising a gun his way, having seen it and ordered him to drop it.
First I've seen all this, I agree with you - that's an impossible situation for the cop to be in.
We'll have to agree to disagree, but one of the 5 rules of gun safety is to be sure of your target and what is beyond. The cop did not realize he was shooting a kid. He was not sure of his target. Out of fear for his own life, he pulled the trigger on a 13 year old kid.
Most cops carry pistols with 4 inch barrels. That they hit anything is generally a surprise.
