Woman Shot By Gastonia Police Officer Not Intended Target
BY Herschel Smith
6 years, 4 months ago
Via reader Randall, WBTV:
GASTONIA, NC (WBTV) – A woman was seriously injured following an officer-involved shooting in Gaston County late Sunday night.
According to the Gastonia Police Department, officers were looking for Jarvis Lynn in the area of Gray Street around 11:30 p.m. A warrant states officers received a call about a noise disturbance in the area. Police said Lynn had a pistol at the time of the shooting.
That’s when officers reportedly shot Lynn’s sister, in an attempt to shot Lynn, officials say.
Gaston County EMS said the woman was taken to CaroMont Regional Medical Center with life-threatening injuries but, police say, she has since been released from the hospital.
The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting.
The officer who shot the woman has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation which is standard practice. The woman is not facing charges.
Lynn was charged with refusing to follow officer’s commands, assault, breaking and entering, larceny and damaging property. He had previously been convicted in 2011 on drug charges.
Oh dear.
Minutes down the road from me. Folks, it appears as if the LEO was the most dangerous person that night. You just cannot discharge a weapon unless you know your backstop. End of discussion. You just can’t do it. You can tackle, you can throw your body around, you can use OC spray, you can call for backup, but you cannot discharge your weapon when other people are around. It’s dumb. It’s dangerous. It shouldn’t be done.
Gun owners know that. Why doesn’t the police? Also, I’m not sure the article is correct. This might be the Gaston County Police rather than the Gastonia Police Department.
On July 10, 2018 at 8:05 am, Fred said:
“The woman is not facing charges.”
I’m surprised that she wasn’t charged with wrongfully receiving government property (the bullet)? The cop is OK right? I mean his feelings aren’t hurt that she got in the way of his bullet or anything right? Do we need to start a Go Fundme for his emotional distress?
On July 10, 2018 at 10:15 am, revjen45 said:
1) “The officer who shot the woman has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation which is standard practice.” Ah well, the cop gets a paid vacation for a while. Whether popping a cap is dangerous, wrong, stupid, etc. is irrelevant when it’s a cop doing it. Just ask Mas Ayoob. The police are always right by definition, and if you are afraid of them it’s because you are up to no good.
2) “The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting.” The police investigate the police. Nothing to see here – move along.
3) “The woman is not facing charges.” She’s lucky they didn’t charge her with felony assault on the cop who shot her to justify the shooting.
4) Any similarity between what you see in the newspaper and what actually happened is purely accidental and will not be allowed to happen again.
On July 10, 2018 at 2:54 pm, James said:
While I agree with good/safe backstop conditions what is your view say of a mass shooter in the crowd that though unsafe conditions can be identified and if not shot/taken down will continue to harm/kill others,my view is if the person taking the shot thinks they can do it,they should.I am amazed given their so called powers ALL cops that have a firearm as part of their job not trained under live fire conditions ect. along with all sorts of other stresses in a potential shoot environment.
On July 10, 2018 at 3:09 pm, Herschel Smith said:
@James,
I understand your caveat, but this condition wasn’t present. So if that caveat is going to be frequent (I doubt it), then everyone (we included) needs to get experience in a shoothouse.
EDIT: And take note that if a LEO does that because s/he thinks there is a mass shooting going on, he’ll be exonerated. We won’t, regardless of how many lives we saved.
On July 10, 2018 at 3:33 pm, James said:
My point is ALL cops should have live fire training as this is in theory(unless they don’t want to take personal risks)part of their job(potentially).I do think would also perhaps weed out some very bad shooters/those who cannot do this as their job,at which point a new job whether comms for police/janitor at station ect. or a new career move.I will say right off the bat I would not be comfortable/trained for that situation,but,if was only option,well,wish me luck.