No Charges Against Officers in Shooting of Kajieme Powell

@Lolaze (5093)
St. Louis, Missouri
November 4, 2015 12:12pm CST
The St. Louis City police officers who shot and killed Kajieme Powell, a mentally ill man who was wielding a knife, will not be charged for their actions. This decision comes over a year after his death. Powell was killed after stealing snacks and soda from a corner store and then brandishing a large knife as he paced back and forth on the side walk. When the police arrived, he refused to drop the knife and stood there - yelling at them to shoot him. Approximately 30 seconds after the two officers arrived, they obliged his wishes. Powell died at the scene. The incident was all caught on video and one thing stands out to me. City police are supposed follow a certain protocol when two officers arrive at the scene and someone is wielding a weapon. The officer in the passenger seat is supposed to deploy their taser, the one in the driver's seat is to be ready to shoot if the taser doesn't work. Both officers instead jumped out of the car with their guns drawn. I don't agree with the officers not facing some sort of disciplinary action. What do you think?
1 response
@loki1982 (780)
• Dallas, Texas
4 Nov 15
My opinion may not be the popular one but I don't think they should be charged, if this is the video I remember seeing. Was this the one that happened like a few days or weeks after Michael Brown? Police have split seconds to make decisions, and someone on the other side of an arrest should know that having a weapon and not complying with police may get you shot or killed. I feel sorry for the people who are unarmed and get shot, but when your armed and you confront an officer, you may get shot. I am not law enforcement so I dont know the specifics but there is a rule that at I think 22 feet an attacker with a knife can get you before you are able to fire.