Man was handcuffed when shot by El Paso police officer

[Unknown Beatle]

Source: El Paso Times - Posted 03.12.2013

A prisoner was handcuffed when he was fatally shot during a fight with an El Paso police officer Friday night outside the Downtown jail, police officials said Monday.

Officials identified the man who was killed as Daniel Saenz, 37, of the 2000 block of Mermaid Drive.

A police spokesman had said that an officer was taking Saenz to a hospital for a medical release when Saenz allegedly began fighting with the officer outside the receiving area in the rear of the El Paso County jail.

"The preliminary investigation revealed Mr. Saenz was handcuffed while he violently fought with the officer outside of the El Paso County Detention Facility," the Police Department said in a statement.

Officials said the officer fired his handgun during the fight, wounding Saenz and stopping the assault. Saenz was given first aid and taken to a hospital, where he died.

Police did not say if Saenz's hands were cuffed in the front or behind his back. Police have also not disclosed how many times Saenz was shot.

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[Gravitycollapse]

1. This is murder.

[ManiacJoe]

2. What leads you to that conclusion?

There is nothing presented in that all-but-factless article to suggest any type of judgement. Certainly not the single fact that the prisoner was handcuffed at the time.

[Gravitycollapse]

3. There is basically no justification for shooting a man in hand cuffs.

Front or back.

[ManiacJoe]

4. That is an incredibly naive statement.

There are plenty of scenarios where it would be appropriate. There are also plenty of scenarios where it would not be appropriate. The article give no information to decide which category this is in.

[Luminous Animal]

5. Outline a scenerio where a handciffed person can be shot.

[Demo_Chris]

8. Easy enough...

The suspect pretends to stumble (or, alternatively, drops straight down to a crouch) and when the officer leans in to support him or maintain contact, the suspect lunges up and back, striking the officer in the face with his head. He then proceeds to knee and kick and stomp the hopefully disabled officer.

And so you know, this is a move that many inmates PRACTICE. I have seen officers wiped out like this.

If you think someone in handcuffs (or even cuffs and leg restraints) is harmless you are grossly mistaken.

[Gravitycollapse]

6. This isn't No Country For Old Men.

If you feel threatened by a man in handcuffs, step away and you're good.

[MoclipsHumptulips]

7. Love the DU feature 'Most Posts'.

yours are about Guns and Gun Control.

Got it.

Not homeless, not starving children, not violence by guns with children in Africa or anywhere on these forums, just gun control.


Gun Control.

Got it.

Thanks DU.