Too many unanswered questions
The police in this area put their lives on the line every time they go out. However, I do not see how anyone can rule shooting an unarmed person in the back as justifiable. There was no weapon, but assumptions were made that cost a 12-year-old child his life. If an intruder broke into my home and I assumed there was a weapon and shot him in the back on the way out, I’m sure they would not find it justifiable. According to the law I would be in the wrong because this person was not facing me and threatening in any way. There are still many unanswered questions. Where was the communication between these officers? If the officer who fired the fatal shot had time to see his partner was pale and shaken, why was there no communication between them? Don’t you think, a “Don’t shoot. I’m OK” may have prevented this tragedy?
They said the suspect was wearing baggy pants and his hands were in his pockets. How fast do you think he could run and still be able to jump a fence with two adults chasing him?
Are there not safeties on an officer’s gun? Running without the safety on is not only dangerous to the officer but to other persons in the vicinity. A stray bullet could hit just about anyone.
These officers are trained marksmen. Why was it not possible for him to shoot him in the leg instead of the back? Are you saying he didn’t know where he was aiming?
What are we teaching our children? There are a lot of children hearing about this and asking questions. What kind of message are we sending? Someone who is unarmed gets shot in the back by an officer and this officer doesn’t have to go to trial because it was done in the line of duty on the assumption that he had a weapon.
I realize accidents happen but this was a baby who was probably scared to death. What most children do when they are frightened is run and hide. That’s probably what he was trying to do. As human beings we all have a tendency to want to hide from things that scare us. This young man allegedly stole a vehicle and he was running scared. He should have been punished if he stole it, but being shot was not the punishment he deserved. He should have gotten the chance to defend himself.
Laws are made for our protection and they are to be obeyed by everyone even the law. Sometimes you get the feeling that around here our police are above reproach. You see them breaking traffic laws and wonder when the law breaks the law then there are no laws.
My prayers go out to Michael Ellerbe’s family. I pray they may find peace with God by their sides. My prayers also go out to the officers involved and their families. May the Lord be with everyone involved in this case.
Cheryl Hladinec
Uniontown
Historical view of Ellerbe tragedy
Most people who have been commenting on the Ellerbe tragedy do themselves and the community a great disservice, when they comment without any knowledge of Black Folks History, within the context of American history.
Let me remind you that the African did not volunteer to come to America. He was kidnapped by European slave traders and in some cases sold by traitorous African tribal chiefs. After arriving on the plantations of America, female slaves were encouraged to reproduce at a rapid pace and at a very young age. Many were used sexually by their slave masters and bore children, whom many of the masters refused to admit that they had fathered. Many of the male slaves, who were in good health and physically fit were used as studs by the slave master. They were forced to sexually molest female slaves in order to produce big, strong and physically able offsprings to work on the plantations.
With just these two aforementioned pieces of Real American History No. 101, one can readily see how the dissolution of the African American family came about. Although many blacks have overcome this horror, which was rooted in insatiable greed, many of them still suffer from these hideous acts waged against them by some white Americans.
I believe that in a historical context Michael Ellerbe was a 2002 victim of these inhumane practices. To those who would say that Michael was a bad kid, I would emphatically respond that one does not have to be a trained psychologist to see the tremendous psychological impact these acts have had on the black family in American.
The black, white problem will not be solved through denial or ignorance, but rather through knowledge of our history. This knowledge will create a sense of compassion and understanding in our community when tragic events occur, such as the death of Michael Ellerbe.
Ron Dennis
Uniontown