Americans were shocked to see a video of a black man trying to get into a car who was then shot 7 times in the back by a police officer. However, what if I was to tell you that what actually happened was that a alleged rapist was being arrested and then after overpowering 2 police officers who despite using their stun guns was able to escape and while armed with a knife was then entering a car with children inside and reaching for a weapon despite their commands to stop.
According to law (and common sense) a shooting is justified if a person reasonably fears imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death to themself or others. Now I don't know about you, but a violent accused rapist going for a weapon in a car full of kids meets that criteria. What if it was your kids in the car? What would you have done to stop this criminal who had just overpowered you?
The Backstory
The officers were sent to the house because Jacob Blake , in violation of a restraining order had taken his girlfriends keys and was refusing to give them back. Cops were notified that the suspect has a warrant out for his arrest. His girlfriend has filed the following in weeks prior.
Upon arriving and attempting to arrest the fugitive Blake, he began fighting with the officers and was able to overpower them. Reports are that Mr Blake was armed with knife but the officers did not realize this when they initially were struggling with him. Upon realizing he was armed they drew their weapons. Mr Blake then entered the car and made a motion seeming to reach for something in the car (which was later found to be a weapon) and the officers fired fearing for their safety and the safety of the children inside the vehicle.
Video 1 (the initial struggle)
Video 2 (the video most people saw)