Christopher J. Capps was a bright, college-bound 22 year old Native American man. He lived with his mother and father in the Sunnyside Moblie Home Community. Christopher was a 2006 graduate of Stevens High School, in Rapid City, South Dakota. After graduation, he had worked for some large companies doing computer animation; Christopher also had invitations to do voice-overs for these animation companies. But, he wanted to pursue his education to create a secure future for himself. Mr. Capps applied and was accepted to the University of South Dakota - Vermillion, where he would study computer animation.
While waiting to attend college, Christopher Capps continued to live with his parents. A regular activity of the family was to take evening walks after dinner. May 2nd, 2010, Christopher, after eating more than his fill at dinner, decided to take a walk about 6pm. His parents stayed home that evening. They would not see their precious son alive again.
While out on his walk, Christopher got into a disagreement. It is unclear how the argument began, but it resulted in Christopher assaulting a 15 year old boy in the trailer park where they both lived. Neighbors took notice and started towards Christopher. Frightened, Christopher jumped on the teenager's bicycle and attempted to flee the scene. Meanwhile, police responded to reports of a disturbance in the mobile home park and arrived on the scene.
Still being chased by neighbors, Christopher continued to run through a field, towards a near-by ravine. One witness, a man named Earl, who was helping the group and the officer pursue states, "the deputy told the man to stop several times and then pulled his weapon." Earl states that Christopher was reaching towards his pocket when "the cop just unloaded." Officer Olson unleashed 5 to 6 bullets on Christopher J. Capps, killing him.
No weapons were found on Christopher.
Initial reports of the incident by the Rapid City Journal tried to portray Christopher as a no-good, a pest in the neighborhood. Reports by the Rapid City Journal that Christopher was wondering the neighborhood the night before knocking on doors and bothering people were immediately quashed by Capps' father, calling them attempts by the Rapid City Police Department to cover their own hides. "That’s not true. He spent the entire evening in the house with us – all night," Christopher's father assures.
This brings to attention the question: When can police officers use lethal force?
According to the Rapid City Police Department Rules & Procedures, "every possible consideration should be taken prior to lethal force." The same manual continues, "Officers are permitted to use lethal force under the following circumstances: a) the suspect must possess the means to take the officer's life or the life of another person b) the suspect must have the opportunity to take the officer's life or the life of another person, and c) the suspect must place the life of the officer or the life of another person in imminent danger."
Without a weapon, it is hard to imagine why Christopher J. Capps was shot to death. Even more disturbing, what provoked the officer to fire so many shots? While these questions may never be answered, it is clear Christopher was dearly loved by his mother and father. “We love him and we’re going to miss him so much,” his mother said. “The world is going to be a worse place without him.”
Comments
Additionally, if anyone reading this comment personally knows the Capps family, please direct them to my article. It is not my intention to hurt them with my words, only to let people know this man had a family, a career, dreams, and hopes just like all young adults. If the Capps wish the removal of my article, they can contact me @ WakinyanSka@RezGallery.com. I will respectfully pull this article, if that is their wish.
Thank you for including the rules for law enforcement in the use of deadly force. Many folks think that just fleeing the scene is sufficient reason to shoot a suspect. The police upon arrival do not know how dangerous a situation might be, but they are not permitted to shoot a person only because they are running away. Family or neighborly disputes are not reasons for law enforcement to shoot a person. The police allegations that the mortaly wounded victim/suspect knocked on doors the evening before, regardless if such can or not be substantiated is not a reason to shoot the person the following day. I am, of course, missing lots of details, but this needs fuller investigation. I think the officer in question might be very dangerous
This makes me mad the media covers this up the Kid was native american a lakota if this was chicago the media would have jump on it i don,t get it this is racist out in the open where are the alphetbet channels my prayers are going his family the capps famliy the media should cover this story but won,t because he was american indian much love to his family .
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