1-Year-Old Boy Killed After Police Shot At His Car In Walmart Parking Lot

[SpankMe]

50. Shooting at fleeing suspects in a WalMart shoplifting call

WalMart itself should write a letter of protest to the cops and city council of this town:

"While WalMart appreciates the efforts of police in our comunities to enforce laws on shoplifting and prosecute the offenders, we feel that escalations up to the use of deadly force for these low level property crimes are inappropriate. It has a negative impact on the communities that we - the police and WalMart - serve. We don't wish to be seen as condoning the deaths of customers who have strayed from taking the high road at our expense. Mistakes in judgement should not result in violent death.

"We do understand that the use of deadly force by police is justified in cases where a perpetrator is armed and is presenting a clear and present danger to police or others. However, recent police encounters - such as the one in Tate County, MS, where a 1 year old infant was killed by police gunfire as the child's caretaker was fleeing a WalMart with the child and stolen merchandise in hand - fall far short of the discipline, restraint, and de-escalation that Americans normally associate with responsible police work. We don't want fleeing suspects to be killed in our name.

Sincerely, WalMart"