More Questionable Deadly Force Used Against Black Male

[my2sense]

MSNBC
BELLAIRE, Texas - A police officer shot a former professional baseball player's son outside of a Bellaire home early Wednesday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Anthony Cooper said a Bellaire police officer approached him and his brother, Robert Tolan, in their driveway on Woodstock Street near Evergreen Street in Bellaire at about 2 a.m., after they returned home from a fast-food restaurant.

"We didn't know it was a police officer at all until he turned on his light, his flashlight, and had a gun," Cooper said. "They didn't even ask us any questions."
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Cooper, 20, said the officer told them to get down on the ground.

"We were going into the house and our parents came outside," Cooper said. "Our parents said, 'What's going on?' They didn't say anything to us but, 'Get down on the ground.' They said, 'Well, it's a stolen vehicle, ma'am.' She's (the mother) like, 'What stolen vehicle? That's his vehicle.'"

"The vehicle was later determined not to be stolen," Assistant Police Chief Byron Holloway said. "The license plate was run, but exactly why they believe it was stolen … just don't have the information to make a comment on it."

Cooper said the officer harassed Tolan's mother. Cooper said that when Tolan yelled at the officer, the officer shot him in the chest.

"Shot him on the ground," said Cooper. "Not even in the arm or anything. They shot him in his chest."

Police said Tolan wasn't on the ground when Sgt. Jeff Cotton fired.

"Some type of altercation ensued, in which the sergeant fired two shots, possibly three shots, striking one of the persons who exited the vehicle at least once," Holloway said "From what I know, he got up off the ground."

Tolan was rushed to Ben Taub Hospital with injuries to his liver and his lung. He is in fair condition.

Tolan's family said they want Cotton to face charges. Tolan's family's attorney said the shooting may have been racially motivated.

"There's no doubt in my mind that if these had been white kids, this does not happen," David Berg said. "There is no justification for what happened."

Investigators said Cotton has been with the department since August 1999 and has been a sergeant for two years. He does not have a record of disciplinary action. He has been placed on administrative leave following the outcome of the investigation.

Tolan is the son of Bobby Tolan, who won the World Series in 1967 with the St. Louis Cardinals. He also played for the Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates.

"He was trying to pursue a career in baseball like I did," Bobby Tolan said. "It's very unfortunate what happened, but the Bellaire Police Department knows what they did."

Source:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28448283/

[Poll_Blind]

1. "There's no doubt in my mind that if these had been white kids, this does not happen,"

Yep, I agree.

PB

[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. Rich white kids maybe...

Poor white kids get treated pretty roughly as well these days

[keep_it_real]

2. I agree

"There's no doubt in my mind that if these had been white kids, this does not happen," David Berg said. "There is no justification for what happened."

[MadMaddie]

3. In front of his parents and his own home

The car license plate didn't match the stolen car....

These officers should be fired and prosecuted for attempted murder. It sounds like neither boy had anything in their hands that posed a risk to the officers.

[my2sense]

4. It seems the life of black man is not worth much these days........

and worst - there not much protest to the actions taken by officers we're paying to PROTECT all of us.

[Catherine Vincent]

5. Bellaire, Texas

Figures.