Pittsburgh Officer killings could have been prevented

[honeychile]

This is such a tragedy, and could have been prevented in so many ways. Yes, he owned the guns legally, but on the form to carry, it asks about any arrests or psychiatric problems. His ex-girlfriend had a protection from abuse order on him, and a dishonorable discharge should have both been red flags.

Granted, his mother is a piece of work, too. Waking up someone who is so psycho because his dog urinated on the floor wasn't the best idea she's ever had. And when someone wakes up and puts on a bullet proof vest, that's usually a sign that trouble's afoot.

My heart goes out to the families of these three policemen. I have to admit that I didn't know about the pay compared to PAT personnel. That's almost criminal!

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by honeychile

This is such a tragedy, and could have been prevented in so many ways. Yes, he owned the guns legally, but on the form to carry, it asks about any arrests or psychiatric problems. His ex-girlfriend had a protection from abuse order on him, and a dishonorable discharge should have both been red flags.

Granted, his mother is a piece of work, too. Waking up someone who is so psycho because his dog urinated on the floor wasn't the best idea she's ever had. And when someone wakes up and puts on a bullet proof vest, that's usually a sign that trouble's afoot.

My heart goes out to the families of these three policemen. I have to admit that I didn't know about the pay compared to PAT personnel. That's almost criminal!

I could be completely wrong, but can't one get a dishonorable discharge for being gay? I don't see a dishonorable discharge as a complete red flag if it was related to sexual orientation, as that shouldn't be an issue for owning a weapon.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

I could be completely wrong, but can't one get a dishonorable discharge for being gay? I don't see a dishonorable discharge as a complete red flag if it was related to sexual orientation, as that shouldn't be an issue for owning a weapon.

The Marine Corps won't comment on why he was dishonorably discharged, but it seems more psychiatric than sexual orientation or anything else.

Can't comment on "creeper" being Pittsburghese - it seems as if I'm not completely fluent.

[33girl]

I've never heard the word "creeper" in my life until this thread. It isn't Pittsburghese.

Anyone who is the subject of a PFA should not have a gun.

This mother....I question if she was coherent enough to make the situation clear to the dispatcher. Not that I'm excusing them, but it sounds like they made a judgement call based on her nuttiness.

[kddani]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Anyone who is the subject of a PFA should not have a gun.

They're not allowed to during the life of the PFA. However, PFA's are limited in time (three years max, I believe- you can get a new one). I think the PFA may have expired. PFA's only come up on certain background checks. (I've done a number of PFA's as a volunteer).

I think the mom may end up being charged with something eventually. She seems off her rocker and I think that she knew what was going on.

I really feel for the dispatcher in this circumstance. However guilty she (I think it was a her) must feel. But I don't know that I fault her. There's a difference between someone owning a gun and someone USING the gun or other weapon during a dispute that is being called in.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by kddani

They're not allowed to during the life of the PFA. However, PFA's are limited in time (three years max, I believe- you can get a new one). I think the PFA may have expired. PFA's only come up on certain background checks. (I've done a number of PFA's as a volunteer).

I heard that the PFA expired about a year ago, but they can be renewed (or at least, when I had to get one, they could be).

I think the mom may end up being charged with something eventually. She seems off her rocker and I think that she knew what was going on.

I heard that there are charges out for her, but I'm not sure what they are. She definitely seems to be a nutjob.

I really feel for the dispatcher in this circumstance. However guilty she (I think it was a her) must feel. But I don't know that I fault her. There's a difference between someone owning a gun and someone USING the gun or other weapon during a dispute that is being called in.

Exactly. We have guns, most of my family has guns, and not one of us has ever thought of shooting a policemen. The mother should have stressed that her son was armed, not just that he had legal guns.

This is only the second time in the US that a policeman has been killed by an AK-47 (for those keeping track).

Who I feel the worst about is the one named Kelly. He was just coming off duty and thought he'd lend a hand. May God bless them all. They're showing the caskets being transferred to the City County Building on tv right now.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I've never heard the word "creeper" in my life until this thread. It isn't Pittsburghese.

Anyone who is the subject of a PFA should not have a gun.

Agreed. These stories scare the hell out of me; people that just start shooting at officers. I've studied a lot of cases regarding scenarios like this one and a large portion of these shooters have no criminal record, and are shooting/fleeing away from a traffic violation, or a misdemeanor. Since when is killing people a better solution than getting a $50 ticket? There's also the "suicide by cop" factor that can be played in here as well.

Also, I'm from Detroit and I've heard the term creeper used before.