Ohio man shot dead by police was celebrating new year with rifle, wife says

[Eugene]

Also: Wife of man shot, killed by Canton police officer says husband was put in unsafe situation (WOIO-TV)

______________________________________________________________________

Source: The Guardian

Ohio man shot dead by police was celebrating new year with rifle, wife says

James Williams was said to be taking part in local tradition of firing celebratory shots when killed by officer in Canton

Maya Yang
Wed 5 Jan 2022 06.00 GMT

The wife of an Ohio man fatally shot by police minutes into the new year has said he had been firing an assault-style rifle to celebrate the arrival of 2022 when an officer opened fire without warning.

Marquetta Williams told the Repository newspaper her 46-year-old husband, James, was using an AR-15 rifle that belonged to her to fire celebratory shots early on Saturday outside their home in Canton.

That night, James, a stay-at-home father or stepfather of six girls, was at home with his wife, three of their daughters and two other family members.

Marquetta Williams said the gunfire was an annual tradition in their neighborhood, with many neighbors also firing shots.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jan/05/ohio-police-shooting-new-year-rifle

______________________________________________________________________

Source: WOIO-TV

https://www.cleveland19.com/2022/01/04/wife-man-shot-killed-by-canton-police-officer-says-husband-was-put-unsafe-situation/

By Kristin Mazur
Published: Jan. 3, 2022 at 10:36 PM EST

CANTON, Ohio (WOIO) - The wife of a Canton man shot and killed by a police officer on New Years Day is demanding justice, saying her husband was the one placed in an unsafe situation by police.

According to Canton police, officers went to the 2300 block of 10th Street SW on Saturday after getting a call about shots being fired.

Police said an officer confronted a man on scene and that the man started shooting.

Canton Police Chief Jack Angelo said the officer feared for his safety and shot the man.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.cleveland19.com/2022/01/04/wife-man-shot-killed-by-canton-police-officer-says-husband-was-put-unsafe-situation/

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Both were locked and loaded

Discharge was successful.

[TheBlackAdder]

35. Perhaps PD did tours in Afghanistan and had flashbacks of jihadists firing their guns in the air! 🤔

[Aristus]

2. Well, I guess he won't do that again.

[XanaDUer2]

3. Celebrating with an assault rifle

Allrighty

[GopherGal]

16. Some people just kiss their date at midnight

do they kiss their guns?

Wouldn't put it past some of the gun-jumpers we have in this country.

[TheBlackAdder]

37. Related: Several OH elementary school children were hit by bullets while playing with sparklers.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

4. "My husband and I both went out there to shoot guns in the air, like ..."

“My husband and I both went out there to shoot guns in the air, like everybody does to celebrate,” Williams said.

Ummm ...

[lapfog_1]

5. person firing an AR-15 at night...

those bullets are going someplace... and possibly hurting someone in the process.

If you MUST make noise at New Years, save some 4th of July firecrackers...

Better yet, for all the animals within a few miles of you... just don't.

Get out the silly little party whistles and blow those at midnight.

[TheBlackAdder]

38. Many neighbors fire their guns but this guy was the only one with active shooter calls?

[dhol82]

6. How did I know this had to be a black guy?

Shooting off rifles on New Years is an old tradition. I remember watching friends of the family do it in Camden, NJ in the fifties. The police are well aware of it. I question this officer’s reasoning.

[maxsolomon]

53. It is a tradition I am entirely unfamiliar with.

I'm nearly 60, I've lived in cities my entire life, and I've NEVER heard celebratory gunfire on NYE.

It is a phenomenally unsafe thing to do. I question this tradition (in addition to the officer's reaction).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebratory_gunfire

[BlackSkimmer]

55. Shooting guns in the air is fucking stupid.

Period. End of.

[samsingh]

7. i don't think the police would have fired if he was white

[PTWB]

14. Why not?

It is true that Black Americans are disproportionately killed by the police, but white Americans still make up a notable majority of those killed by police. Dash cam and body cam video has become ubiquitous and one can view hundreds of examples of police killings on YouTube if one was so inclined.

What evidence do you have that this particular suspect was killed because he was Black, and was not killed because he was an active shooter?

[uponit7771]

18. No Body cam footage and people on the scene are claiming there was no police announcement...

... when there's no footage and multiple people going against police narrative I'm giving the citizens the benefit of the doubt first.

[PTWB]

21. Maybe.

But his own wife says he was out there shooting a rifle to "celebrate" the New Year. That behavior in and of itself is incredible dangerous and would justify a police shooting if it was still occurring when the police arrived.

You say there is no body camera footage, but that isn't what the article in the OP says:

The Ohio bureau of criminal investigation was investigating and all evidence including body-camera images and firearms had been turned over to the agency, police said.

A quick google search shows that Canton, OH police equip their officers with body cameras. I expect that body camera footage does exist and we will see it when it is released. If that video shows the officer was not justified then he should absolutely be prosecuted.

[uponit7771]

22. No it wouldn't not if its a common occurrence in that area to celibrate the new years, happens a lot

... where I'm at but mostly white neighborhoods that's why I call bullshit.

BC footage hasn't been released yet, that's even more a of tell tale that the police fucked up when it came to a black man ... again.

I don't give PD's who do the SOP coverup shit the benefit of the doubt

[PTWB]

23. Alright well good luck with that!

We'll see what the body camera footage shows when it is released. Also, you really should consider moving if you live in a neighborhood where it's a common occurrence for folks to start shooting indiscriminately to celebrate holidays. That sounds dreadful.

[uponit7771]

27. I don't need luck just the will to speak out against inequitable policing when they go to the SOP ..

... cover of not showing BC footage right away when 9/10 times BC footage is shown right away when the shooting ins clean

This way of celebrating new year doesn't happen in my neighborhood but NO DOUBT happens in the neighborhoods without a diverse racial mix, that's what I posted.

The police don't come to those areas jacked and ready to bus

This is just more proof the 2a is a "whites only" law in practice as if we needed more evidence.

[PTWB]

30. Is that the SOP for Canton, OH police?

I just did some quick googling and found a recent case where a wanted fugitive shot a US Marshal in Canton, OH this year when the Marshals and Canton, OH PD attempted to apprehend him. They returned fire, wounding him, but he later died of his injuries. Body camera was not released for months after that shooting.

Also, two posts ago, when talking about people shooting guns up in the air to celebrate, you wrote:

[...] if its a common occurrence in that area to celibrate the new years, happens a lot where I'm at but mostly white neighborhoods that's why I call bullshit.

And now you've written:

This way of celebrating new year doesn't happen in my neighborhood [...]

Does it happen a lot where you are, or does it not happen where you are? I'm confused.

[uponit7771]

40. No, just SOP for PDs not wanting to put out bad news on a shooting. A clean shot BC footage goes

... out before the story does, not a clean shot BC footage is reserved in some way

[PTWB]

42. Do you have any evidence to back up that claim?

I just provided evidence to the contrary for this specific police department.

[uponit7771]

43. That most PDs put out clean shooting BC footage right away? REALLY ?! (link inside)

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/communications_law/publications/communications_lawyer/fall2020/public-access-police-bodyworn-camera-recordings-status-report-2020/

Access to BC footage has been an issue overall but especially when there's no clean actions.

[PTWB]

45. That isn't what you claimed.

You claimed, and I am quoting, “ A clean shot BC footage goes out before the story does […]”

Now you are revising your claim to state that most PDs release body camera footage of “clean” shootings right away.

There are two issues here: you originally did not modify your claim with “most” and you originally defined “right away” specifically as before the story.

I provided you with evidence that the specific police department in question — Canton PD — does not release body camera footage in clean shootings “before the story” or even “right away.” In the example I provided it took them 4 months to release video in that clean shooting and that took place this year.

So, again, do you have any evidence at all to support your assertion that the police department in this specific case typically releases “clean” body camera video “right away?”

[uponit7771]

46. That was hyperbole for effect, of course no PD puts out footage before they say what happens ..

... in actuality come on.

Bottom like if the ABA is saying there aren't a lot of PDs who are NOT being transparent then my point stands.

[PTWB]

48. Hyperbole is occasionally useful.

Use it sparingly.

I gave you evidence that disputed your claim. Just this year, this specific police department waited 4 months to release body camera footage in a very clean, very justified shooting.

Do you have any evidence to support your assertion that this PD specifically is withholding the body camera footage because the shooting was bad?

[uponit7771]

49. I'll stick with the ABA's assessment of PD transparency and my first claim that when its a clean ...

... shooting BC footage is put out faster than a non clean shooting.

[PTWB]

50. That's great.

We know that this PD has taken 4 months to release body camera footage in a recent “clean” shooting. That seems to dispute your claim, unless you define "right away" as months later.

Edit:

They've released the body camera footage.

[Demsrule86]

33. People have died shooting guns in the air...innocent people. I have very little sympathy for people

who engage in this sort of behavior.

[Demsrule86]

36. Normally I agree. But when you are out shooting a gun in the air...dangerous practice then

you lost me.

[uponit7771]

41. Stupid but doesn't deserve dying without due process. No BC footage proffered then I'm skeptical

... in light of past actions of shootings of black men.

[catsudon]

63. 'dying without due process'?

Tell that to Brendon Mackey, a seven-year-old shot dead by a stray bullet.

I still remember that night, it was fourth of july and all over the local news.

[uponit7771]

65. Yeah, again ... stupid but doesn't mean LEOs go outside of what is best to do in those situations

[catsudon]

68. right, he also does not deserve death

the best case scenario would be to have the stray strike the person who fired the shot.

[uponit7771]

69. THIS !!!! ☝🏾☝🏾☝🏾

[Midnight Writer]

8. 14 year old girl near here was shot in the head by some yahoos firing into the air a mile away.

That's some stupid ass, irresponsible shit.

If the man kept shooting after being confronted by a cop, as reported, that's some double-down stupid.

[Johnny2X2X]

15. Then they weren't "firing into the air"

If you fire straight up or close to straight up it's relatively harmless as the bullet will fall back to earth without enough force to penetrate skin. If you fire at an angle and the bullet maintains its trajectory you can kill someone.

It's illegal to do either way, but can be deadly to do if you don't shoot straight up.

[Demsrule86]

34. I call bullshit on that. It is dangerous and stupid practice and should be outlawed. People can't

use fireworks in Ohio but they can shoot guns in the air and don't feed me the ....oh but it is safe crap if you please. It is not safe.

[BlackSkimmer]

56. Absolutely not true.

A bullet shot up into the air can kill someone as it comes back to earth.

[ProfessorGAC]

64. Yep! Totally Dependent On Angle Of Discharge

A bullet fired 90° from the surface line is very unlikely to kill, as it won't exceed terminal velocity, which is under 200mpg.
A bullet fired at 45° will fall to earth at around 60% of muzzle velocity.
That could easily be 700-1,000 feet per second. The potential for penetration into the human body is high, and if it hits the right location, could be fatal.
Somehow I doubt these gun celebration folks are being all that careful about their angle of discharge.

[Torchlight]

67. Can be deadly to do if you do shoot straight up as well

Between the years 1985 and 1992, doctors at the King/Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, treated some 118 people for random falling-bullet injuries. Thirty-eight of them died.

Terminal velocity may not be muzzle velocity, but it's not at rest either.

[sanatanadharma]

9. Guns for entertainment outside of their designed use

So confusing these gun owners.
Some want noise, some want silencers.
Some want guns for security, some feel unsafe around cops with guns.
Some cops feel unsafe around guns, some shoot first.
Some never consider where the bullets go, others bury their collateral loved ones.

The gun in the USA is a societal sickness.
The gun is not simply a gun nor a tool.
The gun is swaddled in too many other-desires of too many other-people's selfishness.
The gun is an IQ test.
America failed!

[malaise]

10. Stupidfucks die stupid dearhs

That is all

[Wounded Bear]

11. "Tradition" or not, I assume it's illegal in most places...

it's definitely unsafe, especially in crowded neighborhoods.

[highplainsdem]

29. I'd love to know if it's legal anywhere in the US, unless on private property miles from the

nearest neighbor or highway.

[PTWB]

12. Sounds like the police officer put down an active shooter.

Well done, officer!

[Solomon]

44. Surely you forgot to add the sarcasm smiley.

[LiberalFighter]

13. Like everyone else? Shows that the city is not doing their job.

[uponit7771]

17. More proof the 2a is a "Whites Only" law in practice. Not showing body cam footage RIGHT AWAY ...

... tells us what we already know in these cases when there's a clean shooting BC footage is shown right away 9/10 times.

From the articles posted

"A request for body camera footage has been made by 19 News." is a big tell tale to me along with the citizens around the shooting claiming the police never announced themselves.

[Paladin]

19. But...but...but...I thought ammunition was EXPENSIVE and HARD TO GET.

And people are pissing away their ammunition supplies, firing rounds into the sky to celebrate New Year's? Risking return fire from the local constabularies?

No need for replies. I ceased any expectation of logic or good sense from the pro-gun hardliners, long ago. I'll just close by mentioning that I'm not wasting my ammo on pointless and dangerous public spectacles---read any national news source for the reasons why.

[Dial H For Hero]

28. It has improved somewhat in the last few months.

.223 (for instance) can be had for as little as $.33 per round at the moment. At that price, firing a normal magazine’s worth of ammunition into the air from an AR-15 would cost around $10.

Doing so is idiotic beyond measure, of course.

[Bettie]

20. I'll take a few fireworks over

some idiots shooting their guns in the air any day.

[quickesst]

24. I would bet a paycheck....

.... that being New Year's Eve there was drinking involved, and anyone who believes the shooter was only firing straight up into the air is naive at best. I look at it this way. At the moment the officer fired his gun and killed the man, the next bullet he would have fired into the air could have been the bullet that killed a mother, father, son, or daughter. The officer possibly saved a life or lives. People are pretty much free to do any stupid thing they desire, but when it comes to doing stupid things that put people's lives at risk, that's another story altogether.

[XanaDUer2]

26. Well said nt

[quickesst]

32. Thanks....

....for the comment.

[Mz Pip]

25. Play stupid games

Win stupid prizes.

[Initech]

31. Give an idiot a gun, don't be surprised when they do something stupid with it.

[Emile]

39. Don't these assholes know when you shoot bullets in the air the bullet comes down?

[dflprincess]

47. Gravity is merely a theory pushed by liberals

Intended to interfere with second amendment rights.

[Kaleva]

59. Bullshit! What passage in the Bible supports your wild eyed claim?

[iemanja]

51. That was okay. It's only a hunting rifle.

[PTWB]

52. Body Camera Footage Released (you can add to OP)

[EX500rider]

58. I'd say not a particularly clean shoot

Looks like the cop shot him thru the fence as he was shooting the gun in the air. On the other hand you can't claim he shot him because of skin color as he was behind the fence out of view. I guess the cop thought he was being shot at?

[PTWB]

60. It's a very clean shoot IMO.

The officer said over his radio that he saw a male put up a rifle when he arrived (prior to the shooting), so it's likely he knew the suspect was Black at that point. I'm not sure if he could see the suspect shooting up in the air or not at the time the shooting occurred but it was still a justified shooting any way you slice it.

[EX500rider]

61. I could see the rifle discharging up into the air in the vid

But i could see how the cop in a split second decision might think it was incoming fire...but taking cover and ordering the rifle to be dropped might have been a better plan as he couldn't see the target so the target most likely couldn't see him to take aimed shots if he was being shot at

[PTWB]

62. There are two problems with that.

Even if we assume that the officer could see the suspect was firing up in the air (it looked like he was firing at a 45 degree angle, roughly, based on the direction of the smoke), we're still left with these problems:

1. There's no way the shooter could have heard any verbal commands over the sound of the rifle firing that rapidly.

2. Every single bullet being fired by the shooter is going to land somewhere in the city. Waiting until the shooter stops firing is a risk I wouldn't be willing to take if I was in that officer's shoes because if any of the rounds fired after the officer had a chance to intervene had hit an innocent person, he'd have to live with himself for not acting.

The only person responsible for this is the person who decided to indiscriminately fire a rifle, round after round after round, in the middle of a city.

Responsible firearm owners know that every time you pull the trigger you must be aware of your target and what's beyond it. Failing to do so is criminal and can pose a deadly threat.

[Kaleva]

54. I have ZFs to give to any adult who does something stupid with a gun.

[11 Bravo]

57. Isaac Newton called.

Do I really have to tell anyone what he said?

[DFW]

66. They were ALL armed. From the sound of it, only SOME of them were dangerous.

Well, as long as SOMEone was killed, the whole exercise wasn't a total loss.
Can't let all that ammunition go to waste, can we?

"This is a deadly firearm. Use only as directed."