YORK, SC (CNN) – Dashcam video out of South Carolina shows an officer shooting a 70-year old man during a traffic stop.

The York County Sheriff’s Department recently released video from the February 25th incident.

Apparently the man got out of his truck and reached to get his cane. That’s when the officer opened fire, fearing the cane was a gun.

3/15/2014 7:53:55 AM

I saw this story the other day, but the video wouldn't play on my phone.

3/15/2014 10:43:09 AM

I hear ya, man. I also get pretty sad when my phone won't play video.

3/15/2014 11:24:38 AM

Yeah. Fuck iPhones!

3/16/2014 8:03:10 PM

that sucks.

3/16/2014 9:30:42 PM

It's pretty well known you aren't supposed to exit your car during a traffic stop, MUCH LESS visibly reach for any object within your car.

All i know is that if i was a cop i wouldn't want to be laying there dying because i should have used my weapon to defend myself if it indeed WAS a gun because of fear of public outcry.

3/16/2014 9:34:08 PM

Yea, normally Im not a fan of cops...

...but in this case, the older man didn't follow directions and the cop had to make a split second decision to defend himself. Glad the old guy lived.

3/16/2014 9:36:33 PM

fucker shouldnt have gotten out of the car, and he shouldnt have reached for a cane. cop was in the right.

3/16/2014 10:11:58 PM

3/16/2014 10:40:47 PM

Quote :

"All i know is that if i was a cop i wouldn't want to be laying there dying because i should have used my weapon to defend myself if it indeed WAS a gun because of fear of public outcry."

Keyword there is if.

Shoot first and ask questions later. Am I right?

Let's apply deadly force just in case right? CAN'T BE TOO FUCKING SAFE! Especially when the opponent is fucking 70 and moving as slow as a sloth.

Quote :

"to defend himself"

against a cane, that the cop hadn't even seen yet, because he fucking fell asleep while waiting for the old dude to pull it out.

Quote :

"fucker shouldnt have gotten out of the car, and he shouldnt have reached for a cane. cop was in the right."

So getting out of the car is grounds for getting fucking shot. Ok. Tell me more about how those other cops were justified for shooting that dude in the cul de sac for holding a knife 30 feet away and "standing with his arms down and backing away from the officers". They would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for that pesky security camera footage - http://gawker.com/dallas-cops-shoot-mentally-ill-man-standing-in-the-stre-1447471140

3/17/2014 12:48:23 AM

what ^ said

3/17/2014 2:55:26 AM

perhaps this should go here

http://www.filmsforaction.org/news/8_reasons_young_americans_dont_fight_back_how_the_us_crushed_youth_resistance/

3/17/2014 5:03:24 AM

I wonder what the comparison of wrongful deaths/gunshot wounds between cops and CCH permit holder is?

Just another itchy-fingered cop, groomed by the government to think everything is a weapon to be used against them.

3/17/2014 9:44:26 AM

I think you should get out of the car during a traffic stop if the officer orders you to get out of the car.

Just sayin.

3/17/2014 9:57:37 AM

Man, if only being a cop was actually a dangerous job, then they might be able to justify all the shooting and use of force against everyone they encounter.

3/17/2014 10:32:42 AM

While I can certainly appreciate the fact that being a cop is an inherently dangerous job, a job that requires lighting fast reflexes at times, and also a job where it's necessary to go on gut instinct because being unprepared can lead to someone getting the drop on you, thereby putting your own life in danger.

I still think that being a cop also involves being trained to think before you shoot, and carrying a firearm deserves extra scrutiny to begin with. As much as that cop wants to protect his own life, the person he is pulling over probably really wants to live too. I don't believe "I thought he had a weapon, and thought my life was in danger..." Should be a blank check excuse for killing or maiming unarmed people.

[Edited on March 17, 2014 at 10:50 AM. Reason : H]

3/17/2014 10:49:10 AM

Just saying that I've heard a thousand times that if you are ever pulled over or stopped by police you stay in the fucking car with your hands on the wheel unless told otherwise.

3/17/2014 10:58:29 AM

And if you're getting raped anyway, you might as well try to enjoy it?

3/17/2014 11:09:44 AM

didn't he yell multiple times not to go in the bed of the truck, and multiple times to drop the weapon before he fired shots? (i can't listen to it now). i don't care for cops, in general, but i somewhat understand his reaction. yeah, the guy was old and slow, but that doesn't mean he wasn't reaching for a rifle.

glad the guy lived.

[Edited on March 17, 2014 at 11:18 AM. Reason : ^that's really a terrible analogy]

3/17/2014 11:18:20 AM

shit, when i get pulled over, i put the car in park, throw on the hazards, turn the car off and put the keys on the dashboard.

3/17/2014 11:20:49 AM

Your face is a terrible analogy. To your ass.

3/17/2014 11:22:55 AM

touche

3/17/2014 11:24:32 AM

Quote :

"shit, when i get pulled over, i put the car in park, throw on the hazards, turn the car off and put the keys on the dashboard."

pretty much... I also have my ID out, in my hands, and remain with my hands on the wheel.

It appears that is the least I can do to aid in keeping the situation relaxed.

[Edited on March 17, 2014 at 11:32 AM. Reason : but situation from the OP sux 100% all around]

3/17/2014 11:31:56 AM

^ yeah I do the same stuff, but maybe we won't be so sharp when we're 70

Quote :

"I don't believe "I thought he had a weapon, and thought my life was in danger..." Should be a blank check excuse for killing or maiming unarmed people"

3/17/2014 11:33:17 AM

Meh, that cane could very easily have been the barrel of some sort of gun. The man also defied all orders and pointed the object toward the cop. I can understand why the cop felt the need to shoot.


Also, lulz at all of you who think some fucking sheriff's deputy has lightning fast reflexes and high-speed pistol training.

3/17/2014 4:37:24 PM

When I get pulled, I usually begin field-stripping my armory so the LEO knows none of them are in proper firing condition

3/17/2014 4:57:29 PM

I like to crank music that advocates violence against cops.

But talk's cheap, I'm straight from the streets
I'm action-oriented when I'm screamin', "Kill corrupt police!"

oh hello officer

awfully nice weather we're having

it's not often you see a SHOWER OF BASTARDS

3/17/2014 4:59:55 PM

If I got pulled over back in the day, I'd always turn down the volume of my hip hop blaring through subwoofers and try to find a radio station playing some country or southern rock

3/17/2014 5:06:35 PM

Quote :

"...but in this case, the older man didn't follow directions and the cop had to make a split second decision to defend himself. Glad the old guy lived."

Maybe he had a hard time hearing him.

3/17/2014 5:09:35 PM

So can I start shooting people in the street from long distance with canes that look like shotguns or no?

3/17/2014 5:17:44 PM

^ yep. Gotta stand your ground.

[Edited on March 17, 2014 at 5:40 PM. Reason : ok, lol.]

3/17/2014 5:39:24 PM