The Firearm That Wasn’t: A Tragic Death in Brooklyn
Our politically ambitious state attorney general, Eric Schneiderman, has decided to not miss an opportunity to pander by investigating the police shooting in Brooklyn (“‘It looks like a gun,’ ” April 6).
A deranged man pointed a simulated weapon at people on the street, including children. When he pointed it at police, they defended themselves.
The usual protesters are staging marches for “justice.” If the object had been a gun and an officer have been shot, you’d hear silence. New York City continues to deteriorate. Robert DeCandia New Hyde Park
Even if everything the NYPD officials said regarding their killing of an unarmed man (who was pointing an object that looked like a gun) were true, they’d still be wrong.
It’s totally dishonest to cite what was in Vassell’s hands. We can list cases where police officers shot civilians for holding their wallets, holding a Three Musketeers candy bar, taking their hands out of their pockets, reaching into a glove compartment to take out their registration, putting their hands up, not putting their hands up, and so on.
Police shoot civilians no matter what the situation is or what the civilian does.
No wonder the police clam up when we ask them for more transparency. Larkin Novak Manhattan
Eric Vassell, the father of police-shooting victim Saheed Vassell, claimed the police “came to kill this kid.” I have sympathy for him, but even more for the cops who showed up.
Saheed pointed an object at four passers-by, and people were calling 911, saying there was a man with a gun. When the officers pulled up, he was pointing the object, and they shot him.
It certainly is a tragedy, but my heart goes out to every police officer who has to make split-second, life-and-death decisions while working under a microscope. Bob Zawadski Stanford, Conn.
It’s a shame that a young man died, but what else could the cops do? It’s amazing that cops even show up to calls like this.
They put everything on the line — their job, pension and most of all their health. If you aim an object at a cop — a pipe, a cellphone or anything else — you have a very good chance of getting shot. It’s amazing that cops are so controlled.
Thank you, to all the police officers who do their job. There are citizens who need them. Leo Kibler The Bronx
Vassell had an arrest record that included 28 arrests, including for violent crimes such as assault and possession of a firearm. He also had a bipolar condition.
With such a violent past, Vassell belonged in a jail cell or a mental institution.
He apparently terrorized neighborhood residents and store owners and was invariably intent on making trouble. His last act cost him his life. Nicholas Maffei Bronxville
Once again, people are blaming the cops for their failure as parents, friends and concerned citizens.
Since Saheed lived with his family and wasn’t taking his medication, why didn’t they intervene before this tragedy occurred?
Stop blaming law enforcement and put the blame where it belongs — on those who turn a blind eye until something goes wrong. Michael Rosano Staten Island
Why are these poor souls allowed to roam our streets instead of being put in institutions?
We should use funds for special hospitals for people like Vassell. D. Mann Miller Place