Police kill Attempted Suicide Bomber

[Lemming]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4726485.stm

West Midlands Police have been criticised by Sir Ian Blair, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, for using a taser gun on the suspected suicide bomber. It is claimed that the use of such weapons is not protocol due to increasing the risk of detonating any bomb carried by the bomber, more so than the use of a bullet to the head, due to the contraction of muscles when shocked with the electric current, and the current itself detonating an explosion.

I think it's a shame if it turns out that the West Midland police have not used a "real" gun for fear of getting wronged by people thinking a suicide bomber somehow has the right not to be shot in the head, especially as he apparently shouted for them to "Stay back, or else I will take you with me!". It's a shame that the police have to worry about the country not being behind them when they encounter a terrorist, putting their lives and others into jeopardy using an unsuitable weapon, so as not to be criticised by the nation.

[Oliver]

Originally Posted by Lemming

It is claimed that the use of such weapons is not protocol due to increasing the risk of detonating any bomb carried by the bomber, more so than the use of a bullet to the head, due to the contraction of muscles when shocked with the electric current, and the current itself detonating an explosion.

Yes, I saw that this morning.

I meant to print something of a retraction... but then I got busy.

So sorry Lemming. You were right and I was wrong.

[Lemming]

Originally Posted by Oliver

So sorry Lemming...

That's what I love to hear! Come on, let's hear it again...

Originally Posted by Oliver

So sorry Lemming. You were right and I was wrong.

Lovely stuff!

Seriously, my point was that you can't be careful enough when dealing with suspected suicide bombers. The best thing you can do - at least probabilistically - is try to kill them outright, this goes some way to protect innocent bystanders as much as possible.

It's a shame that the Brazilian guy was shot dead and not stunned. But the police have the interest of the surrounding people at heart, hence the "shoot to kill" legislation was brought in.

[Beny]

Five (sorry, seven) times in the head at point blank range!!!!!

[Lemming]

Originally Posted by Beny

Five times in the head at point blank range!!!!!

I suppose you have to make sure, I don't know. But if you're going to shoot a guy in the head what does it matter if it's four or five?

[Beny]

Because it tells me that the officer who shot the bullets was not thinking streight and he went overboard. If this policy is going to be pursued then you cannot have people running round with itchy trigger fingers. The shot should only be taken as a very last resort and police should be wary. Can you blame this guy for running when he was being pursued by guys who'd been following him since he left the house.

[Lemming]

Originally Posted by Beny

...Can you blame this guy for running when he was being pursued by guys who'd been following him since he left the house.

No, because he had something to run for with his expired Visa. I for one, as a law-abiding, nothing to hide, citizen, don't run away from armed police.

I'm not going to get on the police's backs for pursuing a suspected suicide bomber, or chasing him when he decides to run, or killing him when he attempts to run on a train (remember where the suicide bombers struck last time). What could the police do? Let him make the train and kill another 20 people? Remember they didn't know he didn't carry a bomb and the people of this country have been deeply shocked and affected by the suicide attack of 7th July. Or taser him and run the risk of detonating the bomb themselves, keeping him alive? Or kill him and protect the innocent people of this fine country? It's a terrible coincidence that this Brazilian guy died, whether it be via seven shots or just the first. But I'm fully behind my police force.

I believe the police were acting fully in the interest of public safety. I do not think they randomly picked some guy to kill. In fact I think they were very brave to pin him down first, thus being able to kill from short range and not risk bystanders being caught in the gunfire. I think they really believed this guy was a threat to public safety and belived he was up to no good running to get on a train. As a Briton - over the past few weeks - I have been increasingly impressed at the hard work and bravery of our police force in the face of such evil, I for one am not going to criticise when they have saved many lives and will continue to save more with their sterling work.

This is a question of views Beny. You're unhappy an innocent man died, so am I, but prefer to know the police have my interests at heart. Next time, if it takes seventy point blank range shots to kill just one suicide bomber, it will be worth it. Once again, I'm extremely sorry the man died, it was a terrible run of events, but I'm proud Britain has a police force working it's fingers to the bone to protect what we live for, I can't and won't criticise their efforts!

[Pete]

Didn't they follow the guy all the way to the tube station? I think they should stop these suspected terrorists before they get anywhere near the stations.

The next suspected man/woman they decide to let walk to the tube might just be a terrorist who blows himself up before they've got a chance to take action.

[Beny]

This is a question of views Beny. You're unhappy an innocent man died, so am I, but prefer to know the police have my interests at heart.

Fact is Lemming, Police have a responsablity to ALL people... Not just the caucasion ones.

Dont get me wrong mate. I'm seriously considering joining the police so I dont expect anything of them that I would'nt expect of myself. The dead Brazilian man was failed by the police force, he lost his life because the cops didd'nt do their homework, they decided early on that this guy was an extreamist and from then everything he did was labeled as the act of a terrorism... Thats what worries me, we're seeing extreamists everywhere now.

At the end of the day another death to the terrorists.

[Lemming]

Originally Posted by Beny

Fact is Lemming, Police have a responsablity to ALL people... Not just the caucasion ones...

I don't understand this statement, not sure what's you're trying to say. My point has nothing to do with race and I don't at all believe the police involved in the killing were racists. On top of that - because I'm not sure of your point, just for the record - I myself am not a racist.

Originally Posted by Beny

...The dead Brazilian man was failed by the police force...

Absolutely correct. They made a mistake.

Originally Posted by Beny

...he lost his life because the cops [police] did'nt do their homework, they decided early on that this guy was an extreamist and from then everything he did was labeled as the act of a terrorism...

That's complete conjecture! I personally believe the police had good reason to have the guy under surveillance. As I said, I - as a Briton - am very proud of Britain's police force and the work they are currently undertaking to stop terrorism. I feel I have no reason to doubt any enquiry they wish to pursue, for any reason. If you are trying to say the police go around shooting people of ethnic minority groups I think you are way wide of the mark and being completely unreasonable to simply assume racist motives by the police.