Shoplifting suspect shot after running over deputies

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By BRUCE SCHREINER

A shoplifting suspect wanted on prior assault and theft warrants was fatally shot by a Tennessee sheriff's officer in a parking lot after hitting two lawmen with his car while trying to flee, authorities said.

The officers — a deputy and a reserve officer from the Knox County Sheriff's Office — were treated for numerous nonlife threatening injuries, said Knoxville police spokesman Darrell DeBusk.

The suspect, Amos Frerichs, 32, of Vonore, Tennessee, died at the scene outside a sporting goods store in West Knoxville, police said. Police did not say which officer shot the suspect or how many shots were fired Friday night.

Police also did not say if Frerichs was armed during the confrontation, but DeBusk added: "Obviously he used his vehicle as a weapon."

FULL story at link.


This undated photo provided by the Knoxville Police Department on Friday, Dec. 18, 2015 shows Amos Frerichs of Vonore, Tenn. The shoplifting suspect wanted on prior assault and theft warrants was fatally shot by a Tennessee sheriff's officer in a parking lot in West Knoxville, Tenn., on Friday evening after hitting two lawmen with his car while trying to flee, authorities said. (Knoxville Police Department via AP)

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/e0e9011e047a4528bea4a9f666bc86af/shoplifting-suspect-shot-after-running-over-deputies

[Archae]

1. Either suicide by cop or Darwin Award.

[romanic]

8. Darwin Award for sure.

[Feeling the Bern]

2. Steal $100 in merchandise and get a heavy handed, life destroying system

Steal on the level of Bernie Madoff = kid gloves.

Amazing how warped our laws are enforced.

[christx30]

3. As soon as Bernie Madoff

tries to run over two police, he'll be shot too.

[cstanleytech]

4. Oh? I wasnt aware that Madoff had added attempted vehicular homicide to his

considerable repertoire.

[PersonNumber503602]

5. Assuming he legitimately tried to run over the police officers

then I don't think the two are comparable. The police are saying he was shot for trying to run them over, not for shoplifting. If he was walking out with stolen goods and they pulled out their guns and shot him, then your comparison would be more palatable for me. That being said, I'm skeptical of most police claims when it comes to shooting. I would like to see video of the encounter before making any actual judgments myself. I've seen a couple of these "he/she tried to run me over, so I shot 'em", and it turned out that was not really the case.

[Feeling the Bern]

6. Have any of you seen how officers and store personnel deal with the MINOR crime

of shoplifting? I have, way too many times.

I watched store personal literally beat the shit out of someone who attempted to shoplift about $5 worth of chocolate. When I started saying it was overkill and tried to be a voice of reason, I was punched by the store manager.

The cops then threatened to arrest me for trying to stop a fight over $5 of chocolate.

This is my point.

[PersonNumber503602]

7. I'm certain we have all seen cases of police overreactions.

At the same we've likely all seen cases in which police behave in manner that isn't an overreaction.

Your story sounds awful, and I hope you were able to sue the store for the store manager's violent actions. However, had you got into your car and tried running over the store manager or the cops and were shot in the process, you wouldn't have been shot for trying to stop the fight. You would have been shot for trying to run someone over with your car.

I'm holding reservations about if the shooting in this case was justified until we get to see video of the alleged vehicle assault.

[47of74]

12. Yeah I saw a Wally World LP guy start a fight with someone in the middle of the store

It was my last day of work at Wally World and a guy came in who had been banned from Wal-Mart properties. The LP guy was on the case and decided instead of trying to pull the guy aside in a somewhat empty area and take him in he waited til the guy was up by the cash registers and started a fight with the guy right then and there. I had a pregnant lady near me get very nervous because of the ongoing fight nearby. I'm thanked God that guy wasn't packing any weapons or it could've been a lot worse. I think the LP agent wanted to show the world what a big time tough guy he was.

But I think the cops reacted appropriately in this case. The guy was trying to run them over and regardless of how much he took once you try to take a human life then the cops were in the right.

[7962]

9. Madoff is in jail for the rest of his life. Hardly call that "kid gloves'

Now if you prefer the the feds walked in his office and shot him right off, then you live in the wrong country.
I'm sure had Madoff pulled a gun he WOULD have been shot

[Feeling the Bern]

10. Black people have been shot and killed for less by police.

[7962]

13. You were comparing this incident to Madoff. Bad cops has nothing to do with it.

One has nothing to do with the other as there was an immediate threat of death by this guy & madoff was a fraudster. Who would have likely been shot had he pulled a weapon at his arrest.
Bringing the "bad cops" into the discussion also makes no sense because it, too, has nothing to do with this story. You could also mention all the unarmed whites who are killed by cops too, because there are a lot of them as well. But those stories dont make the news as much unless you live in the area where it happens

[Feeling the Bern]

15. I'll believe the cop's story when they have evidence proving it. Remember, Michael Brown

deserved to die, so did Tamir Gray.

Sorry, screw the police.

[7962]

16. I do remember Brown. I remember most of that story was a lie

There was never any "hands up dont shoot". He wasnt shot while running away unarmed (like the man in South Carolina). He fought with the cop, unlike Eric Garner who did nothing & was choked to death.
I'm tired of Brown being held up as some sort of victim when most of the original story was proven FALSE by Eric Holder's Justice Dept.
Why? Because it takes away from the REAL cases like the other two I mentioned. As well as the many others, such as the one in Chicago where the man was shot 16 times while posing no threat to anyone.
Put Eric Garner's face a a T-Shirt, not Michael Brown.

But if you think its fine for the guy in THIS STORY to drive over a couple cops, then there's probably little help for you.

[Feeling the Bern]

17. When I see surveilance video of the event, I'll believe the cops. . .not before

And please let's not do anymore personal attacks on my sanity. It's rude and uncalled for.

[7962]

18. Wanting to see video is TOTALLY understandable seeing how often they lie.

I'd ike to see it too, although the injured officers in this case seem to provide some support for their story.
But you thought my simple comment was a personal attack on your SANITY? Good lord! You're a Bernie supporter in a forum that evicts people who dare say anything negative about Hillary. I'm sure you've been the victim of actual attacks from a few folks for daring to oppose the chosen one!!

[TipTok]

20. If I remember correctly...

... They came out with quite a bit to support the LE side of the story.

[GGJohn]

19. Which has zero to do with this thread. eom.

[Travis_0004]

27. Madoff got life in jail

Not sure that is kid glove treatment.

Also, what cops did madoff run over?

[Recursion]

29. Madoff was sentence to 150 years in prison (nt)

[WhoWoodaKnew]

11. My dad owned a small store...

He struggled to pay our bills to the day he died. He provided for us and took in our cousin when my uncle died. My dad gave to charity and helped people in our small town all the time. He had a big heart. I never understood it when people took stuff from his store that he had paid for and that didn't belong to them. I'm in my 60s now and still don't understand it.

Not saying that anyone should ever be killed or be beaten for shoplifting (which doesn't appear to the the case in this story unless I missed it). I'm just saying that some people seem to turn a blind eye to some things (like shoplifting). I guess it's because stealing from big companies doesn't seem like stealing. Just remember that our country is primarily small companies. If you're stealing office supplies from a 4 person company it's the same as if you're stealing office supplies from a 100 person company.

[7962]

14. Yep, you hear people say it all the time: "it doesnt hurt them, its a big company" nt

[TipTok]

21. It's just a justification to excuse their criminal behavior...

It doesn't mean anything..

Don't take things that don't belong to you. How simple is that?

[keithbvadu2]

22. Maybe someone should write a rule about that.

A commandment or some such statement?

[TipTok]

23. Or a law perhaps...

[keithbvadu2]

24. Think it would work?

[TipTok]

25. Nah... too crazy...

[keithbvadu2]

26. You're just too pessimistic

Give it a couple of thousand years trial period and see if it catches on.

[TipTok]

30. Aren't you little Miss Sunshine...

Gumdrops and unicorns from the heavens... coming next Tuesday...

[keithbvadu2]

31. Just glowing with optimism.

Hey! Who stole my wreath off the front door?

[Recursion]

28. "He was driving towards us" is sometimes used as an excuse for a bad shoot

But, I mean, if the reportage is accurate here that seems like a legitimate use of it...