Is it safe to assume racial profiling?
 

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/17/justic...ing/index.html

http://newsone.com/2759190/renisha-m...mments-wrapper
This second incident was discussed on CNN but I can't find a better article.

Among the common themes: after midnight, car accident, Black person shot, etc.

My perspective:
Incidents aren't automatically racial profiling just because it is an interracial incident. I don't open the door for ANY stranger when it is dark outside and that includes a child. That is how I have always handled it and that is how I will keep handling it. I will call 911 for you and maybe talk to you through the door depending on the context. Other than that, a stranger needs to have a law enforcement representative with them to get me to open the door.

People need to learn about these incidents before making assumptions and drawing conclusions. And regardless of how people feel about guns, gun access increases the likelihood of gun use (as in the case of the Black woman) as opposed to calling the police and saying someone is at your house (as in the case of the Black man). The person in the house in the latter incident may have also owned a gun but thankfully it wasn't used. Pro or con, the police officer was the one who killed the man.

What say you, GCers?

Both are pretty shocking stories. The second a little more shocking than the first. The first seemed to be escalated by a hysterical homeowner. The police went in expecting one thing and acted accordingly. Note to car crash victims...flag down a passing vehicle.

I agree - I have lived and worked in "Killadelphia" for many years, where people are shot every day for no reason. I open the door for no one, I don't care what color you are, if I'm not expecting you. I would call 911 for someone but I defnitely wouldn't let them in if I were there alone.

Both these situations are tragedies - I feel for the victims and their families. But unless you live in Mayberry RFD, people are going to be suspicious of and afraid of anyone who comes banging on their door at night - no matter what the situation. I'm not blaming the victim in either case, the police and the guy who decided to answer his door with a gun were just as much to blame for escalating an already bad situation.

I agree those were both extreme responses.

The police officer is brought up on charges. Therefore, contrary to what some people I have talked to over the past months assume, that police officer is not escaping repurcusions.

On the second one, I don't see anywhere that says the shooter was a different race, unless I missed something. How can you assume it's interracial?

I hate that you give us two different cases and then ask the question.

As to the police officers, I don't think that was a good shooting. I've seen the tape and what happened there is definitely not kosher.

As to the young lady on the porch, the devil's in the details. If she was politely knocking on the door asking for help, that's one thing. If she was banging on the door demanding it be opened, that's another thing--and of course, depending on what part of town this happened in, it might be that person who politely knocks on the door who a person has to really worry about.

Your brain can handle it. :). The question pertains to the underlying themes in both stories.

I'm not sure there was an underlying theme. Where the young lady was killed, I don't think we know any more than that she was killed on the front porch of the homeowner's by the homeowner. I don't know how they know she was there to seek help following a traffic accident. We don't know whether she was intoxicated or what sort of behavior might have caused the homeowner to pull the trigger.

With regard to the police officers, a man coming toward you with his hands in the air is very likely not enough to justify lethal force.

There are common underlying themes, some of which are in my OP. More details have been released since I created this thread.

You already answered my OP though, so thanks.

Sadly, I've become so cynical that I assume it is until proven NOT to be racial profiling. I'm trying to do better y'all...

Theodore Wafer Charged With Murder In Shooting Death Of Renisha McBride

Homeowner in Renisha McBride's killing to face murder charges

The attorney for the family is no longer claiming racial profiling/that race was a factor in the shooting. That would have been difficult if not impossible to prove. It is good they are focusing on the claim of self-defense. Unfortunately, Renisha McBride had a blood alcohol of .22 which is horrible and factored into the accident. Someone being injured, inebriated, and panicked may behave in a non-calm manner but that doesn't mean he had the legal right to shoot.

If the homeowner had a reasonable belief they were in danger there's no duty to retreat in Michigan and it very well could be a legal shooting. Despite what prosecutors are saying, they still have to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that it was not reasonable to for the homeowner to believe he was in danger.

The homeowner has also raised another interesting issue in that in his statement, he said the gun accidentally went off. This could result in a potential conviction of negligent homicide rather than 2nd degree murder OR it could result in a finding that there was no crime at all (no willful act).

If anything at all is convicted, Michigan (like Oklahoma) has a 2 years to do minimum for anyone convicted of using a firearm to commit a felony.

I don't see racial profiling on his part, or are you talking about "reverse" racial profiling where people are assuming he "accidentally" shot her only because she's black? /sarcasm. I've read a lot of articles that are trying to link this with the Martin/Zimmerman case. I personally don't see any correlations but I'm sure those names will always come up anytime a white (or someone perceived as being white) shoots a black person.

RANT OVER.

All it can say about the first story... 12 bullets?!? Really?!?! Why?? Why is it that more often than not, when we read about stuff like this it's always a person firing a gun like they are in a Wild West movie!!! Where is the proper training?? Wouldn't ONE shot have been enough to take a person down WITHOUT haveing to make swisscheese of him??

Why is it a "shoot to kill" mentality with cops in situations where it would be better to immobilize a person....this guy wasn't firing back with ANY weapons!!