Philly Officers Cleared In New Year’s Shooting
By Wyatt Earp | October 15, 2008
Good. It’s about time we landed on the right side of a decision for a change.
PHILADELPHIA ― Philadelphia’s district attorney has cleared police officers of wrongdoing in a fatal shooting early on New Year’s Day 2007.
Twenty-year-old Bryan Jones was not armed when he was shot by police officers. Officers say he had appeared to reach into his waistband in an alley near where a group of young men were shooting off weapons to celebrate the new year.
Jones’ family has said he was in the area to retrieve a young nephew and ensure the boy was safe.
District Attorney Lynne Abraham, however, says investigators believe Jones may have been participating in the celebratory gunfire.
Abraham said Wednesday that Jones didn’t have a gun, but investigators found gunpowder traces in his underwear, indicating that he had been carrying one. (H/T – CBS3)
Well, there you go. For all of you gun-toting thugs out there, here is an important safety tip: If you reach into your waistband at a shooting scene, you’re going to get hurt.
Here endeth the lesson.
Topics: Philly, The Job | 8 Comments »
October 15th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Glad to hear the PPD finally caught a break. They seem to be few and far between these days.
October 15th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Jones’ family has said he was in the area to retrieve a young nephew and ensure the boy was safe.
And they probably claim the deceased was a loving child with a bright future who attended frequent church services and always helped the disadvantaged in his community.
Maybe he was a community organizer?
October 15th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Wrap duct tape around your head before you read this (and follow the links).
October 15th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
John D – Agreed. Nice to see us win one for a change.
Jason – Yeah, if the boy was in bed in New Year’s Eve like he should have been, this toad would still be alive today.
Prof – Oh, for frak’s sake!
October 15th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Fantastic news for the PPD. Lord knows you all could use a break.
Take care and be safe out there, Wyatt.
Give those sweet little munchkins of yours a kiss for me.
October 15th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
In the words of the unflappable Scott Hall:
There was once a time when it was considered common sense to not do anything stupid when confronted by police. Common sense is becoming less and less common.
October 15th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Lillian – Will do, thanks!
JumpOut – No argument here. The only problem I have with this story is that the investigation took almost two years!!!
October 15th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Score one for the good guys.
Take Care and Be Safe!