Dashcam video exonerates police in toy gun bandit shooting

March 4, 6:03 AMCleveland Gun Rights ExaminerDaniel White

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Westlake Police released photos
of the toy gun in question

Initial reports made it seem like an overreaction by police.

"Police say a suspected bank robber who was fatally shot by police in suburban Cleveland was only carrying a toy gun."
- Fox 28 News

"When he got out, [Jason] Saah stood up and reached for his waist, police said. At that point, police fired six to eight shots, Turner said."
- Cleveland Plain Dealer

Radio interviews featured Saah's distraught mother saying the police didn't have to shoot him. But then the police dashcam video was released, showing a scene that would be horrifying to any police officer.

After robbing a National City Bank branch in North Olmsted, Saah fled into Westlake before being boxed in. When he exiting his vehicle, Saah not only reached for his waist, but pulled out and pointed at officers a fake gun that was indistinguishable from the real thing. The officer who had it pointed at him was clearly fearful for his own life and took the appropriate response.

As the investigation continues, I have little doubt that this will turn out to be a case of "suicide by cop" and that Saah wanted to die. While I have sympathy for his mother and family, the real tragedy is to the police officer who was forced to fire those shots by a deranged individual and will now have to live with the results of this manipulation.

Not only that, but there will always be those who are so prejudiced against the police that no matter how clear-cut the video shows the situation to be, they'll still blame the police. Like this guy:

sounds like shoot first, ask questions later.
8 or 9 shots fired into him?
Damn…Barney was eager to blast away.

And another gem from the same guy:

guess Barneys are trained to “shoot if in question.” Even with bullet proof vests, hidin behind cruisers, and hands by the waist..blast away.
maybe his pants were falling off?
cops hiding behind badges.
bet they were nerds picked on in school. now feel all high and mighty with a side arm!…
lets pay him some O.T. like the water boyz.

Absolutely ridiculous. In a situation like that, officers are taught to use deadly force until the threat ceases to be a threat. Most people who haven't seen it done don't realize how fast an entire magazine can be fired off, or how long after being shot a criminal can continue to fight. Bullet proof vests are no protection against shots to the head, side, or below the torso.

Saah was given multiple opportunities to surrender. He chose to ignore them all and chose to present himself as a deadly threat to police. Having no way of knowing that was not a real firearm, he appeared to be on the verge of attempting to kill a police officer. The reaction was justified, of that there can be no question.

READERSHIP INTERACTION

Curt: Why are the Dems so afraid of Americans? Oh that's right, they are a bunch of hippy, tree huggers that would probably protest America's involvment in the Boston Tea Party. I can almost be sure that not a single one of them has ever had a criminal point a gun at them. Or even had to worry about it because their "security guards" have a firearm. Which is probably concealed on their person at all times. I don't have a security guard, do you? Actually I do, and his name is Sam Colt.

I don't think it's fair to characterize all Democrats that way, but there certainly is a subset that is currently in power who seem to match that description. From gun hater Rosie O'Donnell to freedom hater Nancy Pelosi, there does seem to be a hypocritical disconnect when it comes to guns. They feel that they or their bodyguards can be trusted owning gun, but not us lesser citizens.

Austin Gun Rights Examiner Howard Nemerov will be on NRA News' flagship program "Cam & Company" Wednesday night at 11:20pm Eastern to talk about his article TSRA annual meeting: moving liberty forward.

Visit www.NRANews.com to listen live to the broadcast! If you miss the show, you can listen to an archived edition until the the next live edition of "Cam & Company" airs.

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