An Alabama officer feared retaliation against a man who pistol whipped him with his own gun, because he didn't want to possibly be attacked in the media. Many officers have been cast into a negative spotlight recently for shooting unarmed black men, and this officer didn't want to be the latest name in the headlines.
The unnamed Birmingham detective was investigating a string of burglaries when he stopped a GMC Yukon being driven by Janard Cunningham, who is said to have immediately got out of the vehicle and attacked the officer. Sgt. Heath Boackle told the NY Daily News that "The officer was just trying to diffuse the situation. Mr. Cunningham sucker-punched the officer, immediately knocking him to the ground and gained control of his weapon and beat him until he was unconscious."
Boackle added, "If the officer would have pulled his weapon, we would be talking about a totally different story. They're so afraid that what's going to be portrayed of them isn't going to be the whole truth of the encounter."
After initially fleeing the scene, Cunningham was arrested and charged with attempted murder.
Source: NY Daily News
Comments
Post a Comment