Shooting of Tamir Rice

[merjet]

Breaking news related to the Michael Brown case have perhaps so far overshadowed this case in the media. Also, many details have not been revealed. Tamir Rice was 12 years old African-American boy reportedly wielding a pistol that shoots plastic pellets. News story link.

[syrakusos]

The boy was being stupid and paid the highest penalty. But it was not much different than if he had fallen while walking along the top of the swings. it is easy to see that the office was just an instrument in the event. It is also easy to ask questions about the training, or lack of it, when dealing with children. A child with a gun is just as dangerous as an adult, of course. The difference is that children lack judgment. Maybe that does not change the equation in the moment. I trust, also, that the office is suffering remorse. I once heard of a police officer who had taken several lives without regret. The other cops called him "Refrigerator" and avoided him.