An innocent bystander who was holding a cell phone on his own property was shot last week, with officers saying they perceived an “imminent threat” because they mistook his phone for a gun, according to several news reports.
Danny Sanchez of Rancho Cordova, California, the unarmed man who was shot by police, reportedly underwent surgery Friday to remove bullet fragments from his leg. The officers who shot at him are reportedly on paid leave while the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department investigates the shooting.
The incident happened Thursday when Sanchez’s next-door neighbor, Ben Ledford, was allegedly “firing up to 100 machine gun rounds at a home across the street, killing a dog inside the house,”CBS Sacramento reported. Ledford surrendered to police, but officers fired at Sanchez after they saw him stand at the edge of his open garage and extend his hand out with an object—which turned out to be his cell phone, local NBC affiliate KCRA reported.
“He was yelling, ‘Dad I’m shot, I’m shot,’ so I grabbed him inside and closed the garage door,” said the man’s father, John Sanchez, according to KCRA. “I put a tourniquet around his leg and a clean towel.” Danny Sanchez was apparently either taking pictures or video of police.
Police “told him they were sorry that he got shot and everything, that they made a mistake,” John Sanchez told CBS Sacramento. There were bullet holes in Sanchez’s garage and car.
Officers thought there “was an imminent threat to themselves and another person across the street,” and “discharged their weapons based on what they perceived at the time,” Sgt. Jason Ramos told KCRA. Sanchez’s home was searched and he was “detained briefly” for questioning, but he is not facing charges, the report said.
“Needless to say, it took us some time to find out who had what role in this incident,” Ramos told CBS Sacramento.
On Thursday, Ramos described Sanchez’s actions to Fox 40 in more suspicious terms, saying that “officers observed a man inside a garage holding what they believed to be a gun. He refused to put it down and they shot at him as he retreated back into the house.”
After it became known that Sanchez was holding a phone and not a gun, Ramos told KCRA, “I think it’s reasonable to think that the officers perceived an immediate threat either to themselves or continued threat to that individual [across the street].”
“Sgt. Jason Ramos told KCRA. Sanchez’s home was searched and he was “detained briefly” for questioning, but he is not facing charges, the report said.”
Seriously? Like not facing charges is some kind of damned bonus prize. These two untrained lunatics in storm trooper costumes blow a hole in the kid’s leg, and yeah, he should feel really lucky he isn’t facing charges. When I read lines like that the top of my head pops a damned gasket!
“Police “told him they were sorry that he got shot and everything, that they made a mistake,” John Sanchez told CBS Sacramento. There were bullet holes in Sanchez’s garage and car.”
Sorry doesn’t cut it. Who will pay for the damages and the medical bills? Oh yea. The taxpayer and not the individual who shot up the place and the guy.
Officers thought there “was an imminent threat to themselves and another person across the street,” and “discharged their weapons based on what they perceived at the time,” Sgt. Jason Ramos told KCRA.”
Oh enough with the “imminent threat” bullshit! YOU F**KED UP! Why is it so hard for you to admit it? Oh that’s right, the king’s men can do no wrong.
“Sanchez’s home was searched and he was “detained briefly” for questioning, but he is not facing charges, the report said.”
You shoot the guy because he was holding a phone and then you searched his home (most likely without a warrant). What’s wrong with that picture?
““Needless to say, it took us some time to find out who had what role in this incident,” Ramos told CBS Sacramento.”
Translation: “Needless to say, it took us some time to find an excuse for the F**ked up situation we got ourselves in.”
“On Thursday, Ramos described Sanchez’s actions to Fox 40 in more suspicious terms, saying that “officers observed a man inside a garage holding what they believed to be a gun. He refused to put it down and they shot at him as he retreated back into the house.””
Says who? Where’s the proof?
“After it became known that Sanchez was holding a phone and not a gun, Ramos told KCRA, “I think it’s reasonable to think that the officers perceived an immediate threat either to themselves or continued threat to that individual [across the street].””
Ramos, why don’t you take that badge of yours and stick it straight up your ass. In the meantime, take your gun and go shoot yourself in the head, you Commie piece of shit! 😡
“Officers thought there “was an imminent threat to themselves and another person across the street,” and “discharged their weapons based on what they perceived at the time,” Sgt. Jason Ramos told KCRA.””
Next time the kid will know what / who an imminent threat to himself (as well as the GP) is when he sees it / them.
Wonder how many
rounds the cops firedtimes the cops reloaded.Discharge a weapon at me, unlawfully and with complete disregard for public safety, and I have the Right to return fire and defend myself, clown costume or not.
“An innocent bystander who was holding a cell phone on his own property was shot last week,…”
A misnomer. There ARE no “innocent bystanders” any longer.
Just us and them.
“Ben Ledford, was allegedly “firing up to 100 machine gun rounds at a home across the street, killing a dog inside the house,”
He obviously missed his true calling.
Shoulda been a pig.
Since this become so frequent (cops shooting someone they think is pointing a gun at them, but it is really a cellphone/waterhose/weedpuller/keychain/purse/cane/gardentool/whatever…I really do wonder if any cops who aren’t quite psychopaths yet (still narcissists, or just a bit wannabes) will undergo that same post-traumatic-stress-disorder that soldiers undergo when they realize they have killed innocent civilians in war. Or are cops simply the most paranoid poeple on earth?
Many blame Israeli training of cops so that cops begin treating us like Israelis treat Palestinians. That may have a bit to do with it, but here’s the thing: you can’t teach psychopathy!
They do psych-testing to “weed out” any normal people. They actually look at personality profiles (MMPI) to determine who they hire. I’d like to see their criteria. It certainly would be “interesting”, to say the least.