Police: Off-duty officer shot man who hit him in Costco

[mercuryblues]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/police-off-duty-officer-shot-man-who-hit-him-in-costco/ar-AACUuDt?ocid=spartandhp

"Off-Duty LAPD Office Fatally Shoots Man Inside Corona Costco, Wounds 2 Others"



CORONA, Calif. — An off-duty police officer opened fire inside a Costco Wholesale warehouse store, killing a man who had attacked him and wounding two others, the Corona Police Department said.
Kenneth French, 32, of Riverside assaulted the Los Angeles Police Department officer Friday night while he was holding his young child, the department said in a statement Saturday. The officer fired his gun, hitting French and two of French's relatives, the department said.
French was killed, the department said. The relatives are in critical conditions at hospitals.
The officer, whose identity is being withheld, was treated and released at a nearby hospital, and the officer's child was not injured, the department said.
The officer was the only person who fired shots in the store, the department said.

[hlthe2b]

1. what the hell?

I will withhold judgment but firing at someone unarmed--even someone who hits you-- and those with them-- in a crowded warehouse store full of innocent shoppers, including children? Is this what police are now trained to do?

What the hell?

[rownesheck]

3. Seems like it.

Guy shouldn't be a cop. Of course, the "blue line" dumbasses will be out in force defending his actions. "Police lives matter!" and all that garbage.

[mercuryblues]

4. yeah.

It seems like he went overboard.

The one thing I have noticed with some gun owners... They are confrontational. They don't try to de-escalate a situation. Their go to saying is "You do that and I'll shoot you."

[RainCaster]

35. The NRA has taught them, "this is your right "

Shoot first, then think.
Yeah

[Bradshaw3]

67. Yes, and studies have shown that brandishing a gun escalates

Most of these wannabe tough guys will swear up and down that taking out their gun scares people and intuition would make it seem so, but in fact several studies have shown that it only escalates the situation.

[Hekate]

54. I think you took a wrong turn, MasterofBiscuits

Go away

[Tiggeroshii]

58. Only with "pig". The rest was on point.

Murder is a capital offense, however and I hope that is how this case is treated.

[tblue37]

13. The military actually has *rules* of engagement. nt

[tblue37]

17. Current cops receive "warrior" training run by private entities. They aren't getting this mentality

from a military background.

[JonLP24]

22. Soldiers are taught to aim "center-mass"

I'm sure police are taught the same thing.

[tblue37]

19. Here:

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/02/dave-grossman-training-police-militarization/

“Are You Prepared to Kill Somebody?” A Day With One of America’s Most Popular Police Trainers: The dark vision of “killology” expert Dave Grossman.

[delisen]

37. I think there are some statistics that show ex military less likely to escalate

when they become police officers than those who never served in military

[NoMoreRepugs]

52. I'd like to see those statistics.

[lpbk2713]

2. I'd expect that at WalMart.

Costco. not so much.

[GeorgeGist]

6. Back in the day we called 'em 'Pigs'.

[Skittles]

53. and it was disgusting

[Dream Girl]

60. They are pigs. Most of them anyway. You may have a different experience...

[Skittles]

66. bullshit

strange how some so-called progressives who dislike stereotypes are so willing to stereotype

I won't see your reply, putting you on Ignore

[Jim__]

7. Have the police taken statements from the surviving gunshot victims?

The story doesn't say anything about witnesses.

[customerserviceguy]

59. Almost certainly

there is security camera footage out there. It's true, Costco is less subject to shoplifting losses than other stores, but these days, cameras are cheap, and if you just record for 24-48 hours, then dump the recording, its cheap to maintain such a surveillance operation.

If the dead man was actively trying to do harm to either the cop or his child when he took a bullet, the cop will probably not even be charged.

[toddwv]

61. He killed 1 person and injured 3.

The idea that he could walk free is just ridiculous. that being said, you're probably right.

[customerserviceguy]

62. If it can be proved

by camera footage that he was protecting either his own life or that of his child, then that constitutes self-defense.

[LisaL]

8. Only one man allegedly hit the officer. He reportedly shot three people.

Even with stand your ground laws (does California even has it?) I don't think you are allowed to shoot people who aren't attacking you.

[dalton99a]

10. Cop shot the man and his parents

[LisaL]

11. But again, I don't think stand your ground laws allow you to shoot relatives of your attacker.

[tblue37]

14. Well, cops are not typically great marksmen. They just spray bullets in the vicinity of a

perceived threat. Thus anyone anywhere near their target is in real danger.

[delisen]

39. Police generally have ongoing target practice. Spraying bullets

in general vicinity is irresponsible. Police who are unable to use judgment or who cannot reach a certain level of proficient in use of firearms should not be allowed firearms.

[tblue37]

40. True--but we have innumerable reports of cops firing large numbers of bullets that go all over the

place w/o hitting their target.

[tazkcmo]

42. But then

We wouldn't have any cops.

[lindysalsagal]

46. Doesn't "stand-your-ground" require deadly threat?

[LisaL]

57. Physical attack could be considered a deadly threat.

[dalton99a]

9. Family says Kenneth French was mentally disabled

Maia Flores, who identifies herself as a family friend of Kenneth French on Twitter, said he suffered from mental health issues.

“My family friend Kenneth French was killed in costco this weekend,” she wrote.

“He was schizophrenic and attacked an off duty police officer, not knowing what he was doing. The officer however had the ‘dignity’ to pull out his gun and shoot him and his parents 8 time (sic); killed Kenneth and put his parents in the ICU. I must say that his first intstinct (sic) being to shoot the man, who was MENTALLY ILL is complete bullsh*t! he had no weapon on him. this is bull sh*t. there needs to be more regulations on guns. and that cop, someone who is in law enforcement should know better. really shows the society we live in and how people abuse their power. im disgusted. please keep the French family in your prayers, and fight for change! i do not give a f*ck if having a gun is your ‘constitutional right’ they should not be able to get into the hands of the irresponsible so easily. if you want a gun but are not responsible enough to handle one or do not pass a back ground check that is TOO DAMN BAD. there has to be a change in people abusing their power and in gun control.”

Rick Shureih wrote on Facebook: “My cousin is the person killed. He was mentally disabled! His innocent parents were also shot and are in ICU. Don’t pass judgment if you don’t know the story! Off duty cops are human too and need to show restraint like the rest of us!”

https://heavy.com/news/2019/06/kenneth-french/

[pintobean]

21. Was cousin Rick at the scene

or does he just lack the ability to follow his own advice?

I don't know if the shooting was legal in Cali, or not, but attacking a parent who's holding their small child is just a dangerous thing to do.

[JonLP24]

23. I would like to hear from the parents

The stories seem to be only reporting the cop's version. I would like to hear what the people in the hospital have to say.

[pintobean]

24. The cop's version?

I assumed it was witnesses.

[JonLP24]

25. Witnesses said they heard arguing then a shooting

[pintobean]

27. Witness interviewed by the media

or witnesses interviewed by investigators? The media rarely gets things right, and this is unclear reporting, at best.

[JonLP24]

28. I searched dozens of stories trying to find more information

Hopefully there is more follow up reporting but as far as the claim comes from the Corona Police Department which is why I'm interested in what the parents have to say. They would probably make for better witnesses since the were shot.

[sammythecat]

74. Maybe they're unable to make statements

They're both in critical condition.

[lostnfound]

71. "The media" is understaffed and barely has time to regurgitate police reports.

So police P.R. people can write whatever they like.

[Ptah]

29. The officer was the one holding a child

the officer's child was not injured

[pintobean]

32. No shit.

[Hoyt]

30. Why do gunners always support the shooter? Reminds me of the support

George Zimmerman got from the Gungeon.

[pintobean]

31. Again...

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212150830#post32

And, I'm not supporting either side. I'll wait for all the facts to come in, as usual.

[customerserviceguy]

63. Was he wearing a sign around his neck saying that?

In a fight-or-flight situation, it doesn't matter if your attacker has some sort of "excuse".

[lunasun]

16. Wait - he shot the parents ? Is he on paid leave now no arrest ??

“The officer, whose identity is being withheld, was treated and released at a nearby hospital, and the officer's child was not injured, the department said.”
Everyone in that store afraid and in panic while shopping should his sue his ass .
$$$ is thier only regret with people like this

shoppers and employees rushed to the exits. The station reported that more than 100 people were outside the store at one point. Left behind inside the store were purses, cellphones and backpacks from panicked shoppers, Corona police said.

[safeinOhio]

26. Roid Rage

Drug test for every use of force or weapon drawn.


This simple rule would reduce police violence by at least 50%.

[mopinko]

34. this.

any buff cop who gets complaints.

[Calista241]

36. Police Officers get drug tested regularly.

They get tested as a part of the pre-employment process, and almost all of them submit to random drug tests carried out on a periodic basis (while this varies somewhat based upon local laws / jurisdictions / union rules). The pre-employment test is usually a hair test, which can detect drug use for much longer than a typical urine test.

Here in Atlanta, they can randomly test officers up to 8 times per year (usually a urine test, though they can do a hair test if they have reason to). In addition, after any use of force or complaint, officers are tested immediately in the field for alcohol use, and they have to submit to a comprehensive drug screening within 24 hours.

[safeinOhio]

48. Not in general, a few do and others are stopped by police unions

https://thefreethoughtproject.com/pittsburgh-police-afraid-drug-tested/

[Thrill]

33. Tough guy only when he has a gun

.

[Sneederbunk]

38. What was the nature of the attack?

[customerserviceguy]

64. If there is security camera footage

then we will all know.

[captain queeg]

41. Roid rage...yes quite a possible element

I’m sorry but I don’t subscribe to the current mindset in the US that soldiers, cops, and firemen are automatically hero’s. Some are, some aren’t. They’re just people doing their jobs most of the time. And particularly the police get a pass for all kinds of bad behavior. I spent some time in Afghanistan and lots of the guys spent their spare time in the gym, nothing wrong with that; great way to fill in some boring hours. But, juicing was rampant. And an aggressive bravado was encouraged (men and women both) Like has been mentioned many cops are ex military. And you can tell a lot of them pump a lot of iron. Whether the juicing continues domestically I have no idea but a lot of these guys are awfully big.

So before people jump on my case about my attitude I’m not saying all service and public workers are offbase, I’m just saying they aren’t all heroic and shouldn’t be given automatic passes on bad behavior. There’s bad actors in every profession.

[JonLP24]

44. Even for the two people recovering from gunshot wounds in the hospital?

I'm sorry but shooting 3 people when one allegedly attacks you is reckless.

[Iggo]

45. He killed a guy and almost killed two others because he was afraid of getting his ass kicked.

That right there is what people who don't carry guns hate about people who do carry guns.

[lindysalsagal]

47. He didn't need to shoot. This is california. It's not exactly Afghanistan or syria.

All of the stats show guns make the world less safe, and this event certainly proves it.

[LisaL]

49. How is it a good shoot? One person reportedly attacked him, yet he shot three people.

[msongs]

50. "feels like a good shoot" - mow down everyone in range nt

[obamanut2012]

55. lulz

[JDC]

56. I think it sounds like we don't know what all the facts are

and the term "a good shoot" disgusts me.

[obamanut2012]

72. Me too -- killing another human is distilled to a "good shoot"

Like a target.

[Sneederbunk]

51. Was this an argument over food samples?

[customerserviceguy]

65. It probably wasn't over

two people fighting over the last one of some item. There's always more of something overhead that the forklift operator can retrieve.

[Calista241]

68. Its more likely that the officer had arrested, or had some other police related contact

with the guy who was shot in the past. And that guy recognized the officer and an altercation ensued.

This is one of the primary reasons cops do not live in the jurisdictions they patrol, the likelihood of running into someone who might have beef with them is too high.

[Iggo]

69. Or he started a fight and when it didn't go his way he killed someone.

Cops can be the same assholes off-duty that they are on-duty.

[obamanut2012]

73. ZERO proof of that

How do you know the cop wasn't a tool and shoved the guy or something?

[Calista241]

75. How do you know anything else happened?

There's zero proof of anything yet.

[USALiberal]

76. Where did you get this info?? Or jut guessing? nt

[dalton99a]

70. Costco shooting: Man killed by off-duty officer was nonverbal, had an intellectual disability

https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-costco-shooting-off-duty-officer-intellectual-disability-20190616-story.html
Costco shooting: Man killed by off-duty officer was nonverbal, had an intellectual disability
By Laura Newberry
Jun 16, 2019 | 6:35 PM

The 32-year-old man shot and killed by an off-duty police officer in a Costco store on Friday night in Corona was nonverbal and had an intellectual disability, according to a family member.

Kenneth French of Riverside lived with his parents and had the mental capacity of a teenager, said his cousin, Rick Shureih, in a phone interview with the Los Angeles Times on Sunday night.

“He was a gentle giant,” Shureih said. “He’s never been violent in the past. He’s always been very cooperative and kept to himself.”

Shureih identified his relatives as Russell and Paola French, Kenneth French’s parents — both of whom were being treated in an intensive care unit Sunday night. Paola French was still in a coma, Shureih said, while Russell French’s condition has improved some since the shooting.

[USALiberal]

77. A majority of cops never fire their gun in a career. So they are not experienced in how to handle it