El Segundo gunman's cousin: 'Jonathan is not an animal'

Was the deceased shot 15-17 times?

I don't condone any gun possession, especially in public and by a repeat offender. However, I was "chatting" with fellow South Bay residents on the Daily Breeze website myself today, and the racism and pure hatred was putrid.

Nobody likes what happened. But the color of skin didn't cause this tragedy.

Witness's have stated that Taylor shot 2 police officers, how much empathy does he really deserve. He's responsible for his own demise.

Since this nice lady does not possess any of the facts this letter can be classified, at best, as a vehicle to vent her family's loss. Maybe she's right that Jonathan usually is not an animal. The fact is he will never be an animal agian. There is no justification to pull out a gun and shoot two police officers. I think Jonathan is the one who used excessive force by trying to kill the officers. She got the term "excessive force" from television shows or from the family lawyer. We will see the obligatory lawsuit for depriving the family of another chance to visit Jonathan in prison. RIP.

Oh, well. "Another one bites the dust". It takes a lot of nerve for a family member to try and defend what Taylor, the thug, did in El Segundo last Friday night. He put dozens of peoples' lives in jeopardy just by having a loaded gun on his person. Why was he carrying a weapon if not for the intent of using it? And to use it against two police officers with good aim! C'mon. It should come as no surprise to his family that the event came to the end that it did. Sorry mom and family but your loved one committed a stupid, dangerous, illegal, and deadly act. I have little sympathy for this so-called 'close and loving family'.

I agree with the family member on only one portion of the letter, Jonathan was a human being. He was also a thug, a parolee with an extensive criminal record and a gang member.
Noone is setting him out to be a criminal, Jonathan did that himself when he tried to kill two dedicated police officers. I can give the author of this letter the benefit of the doubt and accept that the parents and brother are upstanding people but you can't tell me they didn't know the kind of life Jonathan was leading.
Was his family trying to intervene in his life to stop him from the reckless path he was leading? The author descibed the family as very close, so they must have known about his criminal record and his membership in a criminal street gang.
The only person responsible for Jonathan's death is Jonathan. He was the aggressor, he made a conscious decision to pull a gun and shoot two police officers. If Jonathan was shot in the back by the officers then that was a consequence of him running away after his cowardly act.
The author stated Jonathan had rights, so do the officers and every other citizen that endured that horrific event. Jonathan didn't have the right to commit attempted murder on a police officer. The only person the family should be mad at is Jonathan, not the police officers or the El Segundo police department.
I hope the family is decent enough not to drag the officers or the City of El Segundo through a lawsuit, Jonathan caused his own death, the officers responded properly to defend their lives.

I'm sure his family is suffering but, his actions led to his death. Why would he get into a dispute with an employee over the refund of a movie ticket without his ticket. It must have been bad because they wanted him escorted off the property. Why would he then pull a gun and shoot two uniformed police officers. It was just the grace of god two officers are not dead and no innocent bystanders were hit. He might have came from a loving family but, he was no angel, he had serious problems to do this.

I am sorry for what the family of Jonathan Taylor is experiencing right now, and I would not want to say anything to add to their grief. I would just like to respond to one point that the unidentified family member made in her letter. She was upset with the lack of empathy from the El Segundo Police. Her relative shot two El Segundo Police officers and she expects them to show the shooter's family empathy? Is she serious? That is a stunning expectation, and shows a total lack of empathy on the family's part. It is nice that they family prayed for the officers, but don't be so quick to dismiss their condition by saying they will be fine and back patrolling the streets in no time. One of the officers is still in ICU. Both officer's lives were altered in a split second and they will be living with that for a long time to come.

even if he was shot in the back. the suspect is a violent fleeing felon. the penal code and department policy allows it. a savings to the tax payer.

Predictablity is preventable... Active gang members who are owned by the State of California are predators. Gang members are terrorists as "Mr. Coward" Jonathon depicted on that night of the shooting. I thank God the 2 experienced dedicated Officer's are living and are unfortunately now suffering a long journey to recovery.

"Setting him up to be a criminal is despicable in my eyes."

Attempted murder of a peace officer doesn't qualify him as a criminal? What in the hell would, then?

"It is cruel and unusual punishment to continue to shoot a victim after he was clearly down and presumably dead."

He still could have fired his gun even though he had been shot. Both of the officers were "clearly down" after Jonathan ambushed them, but they were able to return fire. Also, the use of the word "victim" is entirely inappropriate in this context unless you are referring to one of the officers who was shot... I suggest using "gunman" or "suspect" if you are referring to Jonathan...

"This was a mother whose son was tragically killed and received no empathy."

Are you kidding? Empathy? At the police station of the 2 officers her son shot and tried to kill?

I was there during the shooting. Officer’s Scott O'Connor and Lt. Raymond Garcia are heroes. Jonathan shot at the police first, multiple times, and were injured while protecting the public.

Jonathan has rights, but not to carry a concealed weapon, not to shoot people in the face and chest with the intent to kill. In fact, he does not even have the right to get a refund for a ticket he lost.

I’m angry that Jonathan put all of those people’s (including children) lives at risk but I’m grateful to God for these policemen, Officer’s Scott O'Connor and Lt. Raymond Garcia that put their lives on the line to immediately stop the threat to all of the innocent person’s inside and outside of the lobby.

Thank you.

There is no question that this is a very unfortunate situation from all sides. However, it is very difficult to have any sympathy for the deceased shooter for the following reasons:

1. I believe cops shoot to kill and not to wound. In the heat of battle is it reasonable to expect a police officer to fire one round, wait and see what happens to the criminal, and then decide if any additional bullets need to be fired? Why is it that a criminal can fire off multiple shots with intent to kill, but the police are expected not to kill the criminal?

2. Once a person starts shooting at the police, shouldn't they be prepared to die? It is unbelievable how ridiculous people are today. Can you imagine what must have been going through the police officer's minds as they were being hit with bullets. It is amazing that they were able to stay calm to return fire. Heck, how do you know that the dead guy was not planning to come back and finish the two police officer's off?

3. If you can look past race, the facts are pretty straight forward: Police try to detain man, man opens fire on police, police return fire and kill man. I think it is pretty obvious that the deceased shooter brought this outcome upon himself. Heck, would this even be a big story if the deceased shooter was White, Latino, or even Asian?

No, Jonathon was not an animal. To describe him as an animal is an insult to the animal kingdom.

He was a convicted felon who chose to try to kill two police officers; not to mention the fact that he could have easily killed innocent people who were trying to enjoy a movie.

Let him and his death serve as a role model to others; live by the sword, die by the sword.

Give respect, be respectful, and you will be respected. The choice is yours.

Steven G.

Lady you need to pull your head out of your A$$!!! First of all Jonathan is not a "VICTIM". Your cousin is a cold blooded criminal! Officer Garcia and O'connor along with being heroes...these two men along with the innocent bystander are the two VICTIM's.

If the table was turned and some gang member came to your house after attempting to kill one of your family members, I doubt you would give them a warm reception. From the sounds of it, ESPD were very professional in the treatment of his mother.....

I'm sure any rational person would want to tell his family members to F....Off if they came looking for some report.

As for your knowledge of what happened and where he was shot. You should keep your fat lips shut until you really have the facts. I can guarentee you that the Sheriff's dept has not release that info and anything else would be speculation!

Even if he was shot 15-17 times...as was shown by Ofcr Garcia and O'conner's will to survive...it doesn't matter if you've been shot....it doesn't mean your dead or have given up.

15-17 bullets or 1500 bullets regardless...the Officer's saved probably about a million dollars in wasted tax payer money!

Once again thank you ESPD and all agencies for your outstanding service!

TO Jonathan's family...Zip those lips up..You have nothing to say!

If I were one of the cops who had been shot, I would have emptied my gun into the back of his head as he was lying there. That's exactly what he deserved. For all I know, both cops my have felt they may not even live through this being shot in the FACE and shoulder.

Wonder what the toxicology reports will show?

Did his cousin read the article in the Breeze yesterday??? "Spent most of 2007 in prison." "Several weapons charges." The SUSPECT (he was in no way a victim) was a thug who deserved what he got. For her to say they didn't need to shoot him while he was down is ignorant. She and the rest of her family would be better served to keep their mouths close and grieve in peace. Personally,had my family member committed this horrendous crime against 2 police officers, my feeling would be shame for what he did. Nice try cousin, there is no sympathy for your relative. He made a choice and paid the ultimate price. Good riddance!

"When my aunt visited the El Segundo Police department (due to the reports on the news) they simply handed her a piece of paper with the coroner's name and number on it."

You are kidding, right? This has to be a joke.

This thug just shot a police officer in the face, and another in the chest. For what? And you want you auntie to be greeted with a big hug when she enters the police station while their colleagues lay in a hospital shortly after they were brutally shot by YOUR cousin?

It's the po po's fault, right? Your poor innocent cousin was just shooting people. Big deal, right?

You should be ashamed of your family, and for defending YOUR cousin.

Not a person. Not an animal. He was something lower than that - just an oxygen thief.

I t is very unfortunate that your family is in so much pain. I wouldn't wish that upon any family. But to walk into a public place concealing a handgun, which can always lead to trouble, where other patrons, families, have unwittingly put themselves into a possible hazardous situation is very irresponsible. Secondly, a police officer is trained on how to properly subdue an attacker. But no one can predict how a police officer, or anyone for that matter, trained or untrained, would handle the situation after being injured in a shooting. You cannot train for that. Shock sets in, adrenaline, whatever. I though everybody knows the worst thing you can do is shoot a cop. HELLO!!! Your cousin's actions were shameful. And clearly he wasn't hanging around with the right set of friends -- where were they? Leaving their friend and date. SO again, you are in a lot of pain. I am very sorry for you and your family. I agree, MAYBE the officers, after being shot in the head and chest acted a little aggressively. Something tells me that if the officers died on the way to the hospital you wouldn't be pointing fingers right now.

Both officers were shot and injured. Panic, adrenalin, tunnel vision and training almost surely took over. It's likely that neither knew how long they'd remain conscious and able to protect themselves and others. That had to end the confrontation as quickly as possible. That's what they did.
As for the lack of notification to the family, that's the Coroners responsibility not the Police Departments. To do that, the Coroner's Investigator had to arrive at the scene, determine the deceased's identity and then determine who the next of kin is. That takes time. This would have been especially difficult since I doubt that any of the suspect's friends stayed around to be interviewed.

Maybe I'm wrong, but unless he was hit with nearly every bullet coming out of the 2 officers guns, they would have had to reload to hit him 15-17 times.

That seems unlikely to me.

>>"It needs to be reported that the authorities never notified the family of the victims death. This story was blasted on the National airwaves before the family was even contacted. The family has still not identified the body."

It doesn't sound like this was written in its entirety by a family member. It's too distant, some portions seem like they were written by a lawyer.

Yes, he was a person, or better stated a former person.

He was also a parolee who chose to take a gun into a theater full of people.

He then chose to pull that gun and fire it, hitting an innocent bystander and two police officers. At what point does a ticket dispute justify shooting people?

Bad choices have bad consequences. The family may have loved and cared for him deeply, but at some point they failed to teach him right from wrong.

Have we all forgotten what police officers face on a daily basis? They protect us from harm, danger and a thug in a theater. They take bullets from people who shoot at them. Sometimes they live and sometimes they don't. (Have you forgotten Officer Ripatti who is now in a wheelchair forever?) They are the heroes in our neighborhoods. They deserve the utmost respect at all times! Any IDIOT who pulls a gun on an officer DESERVES THE FINAL RESULT...How stupid could you be? I hope the officers heal mentally and physically. Remember, our tax dollars pay them to protect us, and they did their job that night for sure.
Thanks for listening!

I am at a loss when reading this letter from the "family member" JT shot two officers (one in the face) then ran away. Everything that happened after that point was in direct correlation to HIS actions.

If he indeed had 15-17 round in him, then you are saying that the two officers both wounded (one with a round in his face) returned fire and hit their target that many times. Tactically, that is amazing. I would even say that there was divine intervention.

I feel sorry for your family, not because of your "loss" but because you were actually related to a monster of a human being. Well your loss is the communities gain. He will no longer be able to terrorize, rob, kill or breath. For that I am thankful.

I thank God that these two brave officers lived, in the same prayer I thank God that Jonathan Taylor is gone from this earth and now has to face his demons for all of eternity in hell.

To the family of Johnathan, my deepest sympathy to your family, I know what it is like to raise a son who takes a different turn, we as parents are left with the shame of the crimes commited by our children, please use your faith to get you through this terrible time. Please know that the response from all the communities are for a good reason, we have been plauged with gang violence and crime for too long, Johnathon, as well as my son have been part of the problem for a long time. The difference is, my son was able to get help, move from the area, return to college, all with the help the the L.A. Sheriff's. I will pray that you get through this time, you will find little sympathy for your son's crime. Just remember, you put him on the right path, he chose not to follow.

Being there, I would estimate 12 shots were fired, a good portion of those most likely were JT's.

If he did not bring a gun with him, he would be alive right now.

I HOPE AND PRAY YOUR CHILDREN WILL NEVER BE SHOT 17-18 TIMES BECAUSE OF THEIR MISTAKES. TRY WEARING HIS MOTHERS SHOES. CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT SHE IS GOING THROUGH. HE WAS NOT BORN INTO THIS WORLD A GANG MEMBER OR FELON.I PRAY FOR THE OFFICERS RECOVERY AND FOR THE GUNMANS FAMILY.

IN RESPONSE TO UMMMMMMMMMMMMM. I HOPE AND PRAY THAT YOUR CHILDREN WILL NEVER GET INTO TROUBLE. IF THEY DO,I WONDER WHAT YOUR RESPONSE WILL BE. LETS FACE IT THE SHOOTERS FAMILY PAY TAXES ALSO.

Mildred: You can't be for real. I know your baiting us just by your ignorant comments, but I can't help but think, what if that police officer was your husband? What would you say then? He should have just taken the bullet and let the thug live? When people are defending themselves in a split second, they aren't counting how many bullets they just put in the person trying to kill them. And you are right, he wasn't born a gang member but somewhere along the way he chose the wrong path which led to his untimely death.
I am a mother of three and raised three productive children in this society. One of them is killing terrorists instead of police officers.
Perhaps Jonathan should have taken the same path.
PS What difference does it make whether his family pays taxes or not? You lost me there???

Mildred you are right. No one is born into this world a gang member. No one is born a felon. No one is born a cop killer. We are all born sons and daughters, and any time your son or daughter is killed, that is tragic regardless of the circumstances.

So who is to blame when a young baby grows into adolescence, into his teens, and into adulthood, and decides to carry guns, join a gang, wind up in prison and shoot at our public servants? How does an innocent baby become a thug, a gang member, a repeated felon, and a cop killer?

To the families of Jonathan Taylor, you are right to grieve your loss. You are right to feel pain and suffering. To Jonathan Taylor's parents, you lost your baby boy. But somewhere along the line, someone has to take the blame for that baby boy growing up to become a convicted felon who tried to kill two public servants; two public servants mind you, who risked their own lives to protect a crowded lobby filled with movie goers of all ages and races.

That's what we do. And our efforts and bravery go all too often unnoticed and unappreciated, even by our own managers!! Cops don't get any kind of morbid satisfaction out of killing someone's son, but they do get tremendous satisfaction out of protecting the public and going home in one piece at the end of their shift.

Officers Garcia and O'Connor didn't have that luxury. A piece of them was taken 04/11/08 by a wannabe cop killer, whether you like the term or not.

And though it's right for you to be sad that you lost a son, there are other kids who almost lost their Dad. Remember, none of this would have happened if Jonathan Taylor had not shot first, and none of this would have happened if Jonathan Taylor had been better taught from his youth to respect law and order and stand up against gang violence instead of being allowed to become a part of it.

Mildred! Are you serious? "I hope and pray that your children won't be shot for their mistakes." Are you serious? He didn't run a stop sign or J-Walk...HE SHOT TWO OFFICERS and an innocent bystander!

You are correct he wasn't born this way, but we aren't dealing with a cute toddler or rambuctious 5yr old - HE IS A HARD-CORE GANG MEMBER! He chose to be a gang member and HIS ACTIONS caused him to go to PRISON & hence become a CONVICTED FELON, who once released, got ANOTHER GUN and SHOT TWO OFFICERS!

For this- thankfully he is DEAD. I wonder how many other times he fired that gun to further his gang activity or rob someone, since he got out of prison before he was "put down" Friday night?

These men are MY OFFICERS. I pray for them more moments out of the day that you could respect, and I pray for their wives and family.

Frankly, I am delighted this guy lay on the cement under a tarp, for all to see and the media to photograph or video - because if you SHOOT AT A COP, BE PREPARED TO DIE.

I have read the family members comments and although I understand the feelings one must have after a situation like this occurs, it just goes to show you how wrong things have gotten. To even question the actions of 2 police officers after they have been shot is un-thinkable. We as a society want our law enforcement out there protecting us, we spend hundreds of thousands of dollars training them, equipping them and ask them everyday to put themselves into harms way to protect our lives & freedoms... give them the power & tools to do just exactly what we ask of them and then to "question" the manner in which they provide this protection!... quite frankly is dumb,ridiculous and of no merit

Maybe he will think twice next time before branishing a fire arm at a Peace Officer, Oh, Thats right he can't think HE'S DEAD!
Good riddence.
At least we know that our tax dollars aren't going to feed this ass$$$$ in jail.
How come incedents like this don't happen in Texas? Because it is leagal for civilians to carry a fire arm. He probably wouldn't of been so brave there not knowing who was packing in that lobby. He would have been dead before the police arrived.
What has this world come to & when are the citizens going to stand up fight for ours & our childrens safety.
I'll bet Gloria Allred & Jesse Jackson will be fighting this families cause shortly.
I am upset at the officers for wasting lead & gun powder & not killing that piece of sh$$ with 2 shots.
God Bless the Hero officers!

The cousin of the suspect was obviously reading a prepared statement from the families lawyers, setting up for the lawsuit.

I can't believe that anyone would try to justify Taylor's actions and think that the police were overeacting by shooting him. He's a hard core gang member who has been to PRISON at least three times for gun possession, and yet he CHOSE to continue to possess a firearm which would definitely be his 3rd (or 4th) strike and put him in prison for the rest of his life. For the cousin to be calling him a victim and it a homicide is laughable.

Thank God for Ray and Scott and for the training that these officers received.

I'm 63 now. I saw the good for many years of my life. My Uncle was a policeman in the 50's. My Mom a retired Deputy Sheriff from Jersey. I was never in fear for them while growing up. I could NOT say that now. Everyday when a husband, wife, Mom or Dad leave home to put on the Uniform we ALL need to pray for their safe return. Garcia and O'Connor were not coming home that night. Thank God they will be with their families soon.

Every millisecond someone rackets themselves down a notch from what is moral and ethical. Taylor's cousin's letter does not surprise me one bit. I read those letters everyday, I see them on the TV News, in the Papers, and even Talk Show Hosts make folly of them. It IS what it IS in our Society today, splashed across America, in every City and State, Seems everyone else is to blame. Even me, I'm to blame for not agreeing with her analogy of a beloved son, the Cops are to blame because they went to work that night to PROTECT Taylor at a Movie Theater! Open up your eyes America, El Segundo anywhere any town. Only the names change, not the behavior. These thugs weave in and out of our daily comings and goings, they blend in to look normal, we can't walk toward them, we can't walk away from them. The only thing normal people can do today is hold on even tighter to your loved one's, it's only going to get worse. My prayers are for ALL who have to endure the pain others inflict on our daily lives. Shame on you Taylor's Cousin for making excuses him.

My answer to you is.........."Lord help US all"

You cant really say that the media overstated everything, because you to are in a way doing this. I would deeply appreciate it if you backed up all the information you provided. And i mean, what else was the mother expecting? I mean her son did almost take the lives of two of their brothers. I admit we dont live in a perfect society, but we are only human. Taylor did not have the right to shoot the officers. In fact, he lost his right not to be shot by officers as soon as he left his home with a loaded gun and walked into a crowded theatre and took it out and aimed and shot at a cop. Taylor wasnt knew at concealing weapons, he knew the routine, so why did he choose to still conceal a weapon? Did he plan this retaliation against the very people who guarded his life? No one can ever tell. He made a bad decision that forced officers to act accordingly. There isnt any Over-use of force. It is all justifiable.

I haven't heard anything about Taylor's family appologizing to the two officers that he shot...? If they want sympathy from others, they first need to give it! Taylor wanted to hunt and ended up being hunted, it was HIS choice and he lost!

Thank god for cops like these two and for the El Segundo police department. Without these officers, El Segundo would go to hell just like every other town east of the 405. When you read about crime in El Segundo, it is usually imported from someone who doesn't live there. El Segundo is a wonderful town with wonderful people and they pay their police force well to keep scum like this guy out of their town. Thank a El Segundo cop next time you see one for keeping El Segundo a great place to live.

My daughter was there that night and had to RUN FROM BULLET FIRE!!!

Bullet fire from this thug's gun.

I don't care how many times he was shot. You pull a gun out and shoot a cop, you usually can expect to get shot back. Pretty simple.

Of course the thug family is upset their son is dead. But look in the mirror and realize YOU RAISED A THUG! You wouldn't have a dead thug son right now if maybe HE MADE BETTER CHOICES like NOT TO CARRY A HANDGUN AROUND AND SHOOT AT COPS.

His death was tragic?? No. His death was the result of his own actions. Not tragedy.

Your thug son could've shot my daughter that night and that pisses me off.

Go get sympathy elsewhere. You won't get any from me....and from the looks of it...not many other people.

God bless those police officers.

I am not a police officer and not totally familiar with the terminology. However, I have to assume logically that excessive force does not apply in this situation. If someone is shooting a gun at people, the appropriate action is to stop him - period. It makes no difference how many times he is shot. It is a mute point how many bullets were used. No amount of bullets is going to make him any more dead.

A good rule of thumb to live by: do not pull a gun on police officers.

The family's explanation is a joke.

Let them and any of Jonathon's friends take this as a valuable lesson and move on with their lives.

Excellent post No Sympathy.

JT’s family owes an apology to the police officers, the innocent bystander that was shot, and everyone and their families that were there that night.

If He was firing whille running he could have hit anyone so the police had no choice to stop him . I feel for the family no one deserves to lose a loved one but you live by the sword you die by the sword. Why take a gun to a movie theater?

The family of this thug didn't lose their son on Friday night. They lost him when he ditched his first day of school. They lost him the first time the cops brought him home. They lost him when his rap sheet became longer than their tax return. They lost him a long time ago... They know that... they don't want to take personal responsiblity for how he became what he became... why? If they took a real hard look... that insight is more painful...

Mr. Taylor's family wants to believe Jonathan was not an animal. I can understand that. They want him to be remembered in a good light. I understand that as well. He was part of their family. I believe that's a natural response to his death.

But if Jonathan were part of my family, that's as much as I would say on the subject. He was "tragically killed" as a direct result of his attempt to kill others. It's as simple as that. Jonathan Taylor brought this upon his family, it was not the news media or the police. If not for Mr. Taylors actions, his family would not be suffering the grief they feel now.

i am sure glad the police killed that guy!! anymore....

TO THE FAMILY MEMBER,
YOU WERE NOT AT THE SCENE OF THE SHOOTING. YOU DON'T KNOW THE FACTS. STOP PUTTING OUT INFORMATION YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT LIKE THAT YOUR COUSIN WAS FACE DOWN AND STILL BEING SHOT AT. READ UP ON YOUR LAWS,, EVEN IF HE WAS SHOT AS HE WAS RUNNING AWAY,,,HE IS A FLEEING FELON!! MUCH PRAISE TO THE TWO COURAGEOUS OFFICERS WHO PROTECTED THE COMMUNITY THAT NIGHT!!

Right is Right and wrong is wrong ,If Jonathan Taylor is wrong(I believe he was) all the commentary about his life,family,class and friends would not make him look better, help his family or be better understood . A parolee is not suppose to have a gun. I can understand having a gun at the gun range or hunting grounds , but a movie theater! Had he informed the security/police officers that he had a gun on him prior to being searched perhaps they would have preceived him differntly.

Everytime there is a shooting resulting in injury or death there is heartache in the community. In this case with 23 rounds being expended in a crowded theater it could have been a lot worse.

What could have prevented this tragedy? With two officers available, one officer should assume a cover position in clear view of the suspect, letting him know he should not try anything. The second officer should conduct a pat down search only after he has control of the suspect's hands, (interlocking hands behind the head or hands against the wall). If this is not possible suspect should be subdued in a prone position and cuffed before searched.

I'm not saying the officer's were not brave or following their training, I'm just suggesting we can do better.

My heart and prayers go out those injured in this sad circumstance.

So you would have one officer walk into an unknown situation by himself while the other officer hangs back? What happens when he doesnt comply? Why confront a suspect by yourself? Two on one makes a suspect (usually) not try something. One officer confronting a suspect with one hanging behind does not. Common sense there.

One officer in cover position is standard police procedure, a proper cover position is not hanging back it's a ready pose.

Look at the result in this case, two officers and one bystander injured and one death, common sense should tell you there could have been a better outcome.

Are you serious lady???
so you think it was ok
for taylor to be able to
shoot two cops, one in the
THE FACE!!! and the other
one in the in the shoulder!!!!
And for what reason???
just because he didn't get
his money back for a ticket
that he couldn't even find???
That f**ker deserved every
shot put into his little
sorry ass!!!! Thank God
for both those cops being,
they saved a lot of lives
that night. They both a major
heroes in my book

Just remember, you were not on scene so you dont know what the officers did. I know the LT and I know the way he works. Officer safety is always the first thing on his mind. When one officer has to go hands on with the suspect (a suspect who hasnt yet pulled out a weapon) would you still have the cover officer hang back or would you like him to assist in taking the suspect down? Remember, they had no advanced warning the suspect had a weapon. He wont show his hands or comply in any way. What other option is there but to go hands on? Im no expert on proper police procedure like you are Tonto but I would say in a fight where no weapon is seen both officers would try to take the suspect down.

If they did not suspect him of having a weapon, why did they feel they needed to search him? In fact once you have decided that a suspect merits a search there is only one reason:

"A law enforcement officer has the right to perform a pat-down search of the outer garments of a suspect for weapons if he has been legitimately stopped with reasonable suspicion and only when the officer has a reasonable fear for his own or another person's safety. "

http://www.dca.state.ga.us/development/research/programs/downloads/law/Chap9-4.html

And

"Whenever possible, pat-down searches should be conducted by at least two officers, one of whom performs the search while the other provides protective cover."

Thanks for asking.

I was there that night on a date with my boyfriend. The guy was demanding a refund and was with more people. When the confrontation became uncontrollable and uncomfortable for the employees additional assistance was called (police) when the police arrived they were calm and only wanted to deescalate the situation. The guy went crazy. There were children there! babies!!! He pulled out his gun and started shooting!!! Me and my boyfriend hid behind the vending machine to avoid being shot. An officer fell right next to us bleeding profusely from his mouth, neck and throat. I asked the officer if he was ok but he couldnt speak all he could do was shake his head saying no while trying to apply pressure to his bullet wound. No disrespect to the dead but I was very relieved to not see him moving anymore...