US police shoot dead 'armed' man in wheelchair, Latest World News - The New Paper
World

US police shoot dead 'armed' man in wheelchair

This article is more than 12 months old

US police have been drawn into yet another controversy after officers in Delaware shot dead a man in a wheelchair.

Police in Wilmington were responding to an emergency call after Jeremy McDole reportedly shot and injured himself.

In a graphic video that was uploaded online, officers find a bleeding McDole after arriving on the scene, ordering him to drop his gun and put his hands up before a shot is fired.

When the 28-year-old seems to reach for his pocket, the four cops fire more than 10 shots at Mr McDole, who crumples to the floor and lies motionless.

While no gun is visible from the footage, police later said McDole was armed and that they had seized .38 calibre handgun from his body.

 

 

At a press conference, Wilmington police chief Bobby Cummings said: "The officers who responded to work that day did not look to take anyone's life.

"They came out here because they wanted to help our community.

"I assure you that not one of those officers intended to take anyone's life that day and we are sorry to the family that this encounter ended with the loss of their loved one."

Dispute

But Mr McDole's family is disputing the police's version of the events, with his mother Phyllis McDole describing the shooting as "unjust".

She claimed her son, who was paralysed from the waist down, did not own a gun and would never hurt himself, saying: "This is murder. He shot my son like roadkill."

Investigation

Wilmington mayor Dennis Williams promised that the incident would be "investigated to the fullest".

He said: "We will take our time and do a very thorough investigation.

"The family will be given information step-by-step.

"We don't have anything to hide, we are very open and we want them to understand that we're very sorry for the loss of life of their loved one."

Sources: YouTube, CNN, CBS News

united statesSingapore Police ForceGun ViolenceWheelchairUncategorisedBobby Cummings