# NY Cops fire at man and hit two bystanders instead. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 15, 2013, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905 "2013-09-15T11:00:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/1 "2013-09-15T11:00:27Z")
Impressive marksmanship from NY’s finest. They miss their unarmed guy and hit two women. :rolleyes: One in the leg and the other in the ass. Cops are typical guys. We are all leg and ass men. 😛 They couldn’t tell the difference in a metro card and a gun? On a brightly lit NY street? Good thing he didn’t point a finger at them. The cops would have responded with assault rifles. :eek: Glad the two ladies are ok. It could have been much worse. > **[Times Square shooting wounds at least one person on Saturday night](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2420991/Times-Square-shooting-wounds-person-Saturday-night.html)** > > Times Square shooting wounds at least one person on Saturday night > [@](#): > > Early reports appeared to indicate that police had been called to reports of an ‘agitated’ man who was walking in the traffic and ‘flailing his arms around’. > > Witnesses said they opened fire when the man took a Metro card out his pocket and pretended it was a gun. > > Police are then said to have fired three to four rounds, two of which hit passers by. The man they were originally trying to reach has been taken into custody. > > As pictures from witnesses emerged, it appears that as police approached the towering man, he ran at them, throwing one of the cops into the side of a car. > > A 35-year-old woman was later shot in the right leg and a bullet grazed the buttocks of a 54-year-old woman, according to the Daily News. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/2 "2013-09-15T11:49:04Z")
Daily News has more photos of the bedlam. My gosh did the entire police force respond to this one guy. Theres got to be a dozen cops in that photo of them chasing the guy. For one crazy acting unarmed dude? Isn’t this exactly the situation a taser is designed to handle? Tasers are really useful against big crazy dudes that need to be stopped without hurting them or the bystanders. > **[Two bystanders struck by NYPD cops opening fire on suspect near Times Square](https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/shots-fired-times-square-bystander-struck-article-1.1456418)** > > The 35-year-old man police were aiming for had 'simulated' a gun with his hands, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said. Two women, ages 54 and 35, were struck by bullets, while the suspect was unarmed when he was taken into custody. ---
**Author:** ![Longshanks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Longshanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Longshanks)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/3 "2013-09-15T17:56:37Z")
You know there’s something wrong when innocent bystanders get accidentally shot by law enforcement officials and a person decides to put that on the MPSIMS section of a message board. ---
**Author:** ![SirGalahad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@SirGalahad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirGalahad)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/4 "2013-09-15T18:16:56Z")
This is why only highly trained professionals should be allowed to have guns, so things like this won’t hap … never mind. ---
**Author:** ![babygoat666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2acd7d/32.png) [@babygoat666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/babygoat666)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/5 "2013-09-15T18:27:49Z")
> [@SirGalahad](#): > > This is why only highly trained professionals should be allowed to have guns, so things like this won’t hap … never mind. I agree, since even highly trained professionals can’t safely use them, we should get rid of them all. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/6 "2013-09-15T18:44:13Z")
> [@babygoat666](#): > > I agree, since even highly trained professionals can’t safely use them, we should get rid of them all. I agree, we should get rid of the cops 😉 At the very least get those two horrible shots some marksmanship training, once they get back off unpaid administrative suspension… ---
**Author:** ![SirGalahad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@SirGalahad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirGalahad)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/7 "2013-09-15T19:08:01Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > I agree, we should get rid of the cops 😉 > > At the very least get those two horrible shots some marksmanship training, once they get back off unpaid administrative suspension… What kind of training should this cop get? He’s on PAID leave: > **[Lawman charged with oppression suspended from new job](http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/lawman-charged-with-oppression-suspended-from-new-4803652.php)** > > Capt. Jimmy Earl Drummond, 45, was charged Monday with misdemeanor official oppression in... ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/8 "2013-09-15T19:39:11Z")
He’ll probably be disciplined for not emptying his gun wildly. That’s standard NYPD procedure in such circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/9 "2013-09-15T20:09:42Z")
> [@Longshanks](#): > > You know there’s something wrong when innocent bystanders get accidentally shot by law enforcement officials and a person decides to put that on the MPSIMS section of a message board. Well, so long as we keep the language within boundaries, this is the right forum for it… if you want to start an RO Pit thread, you’re welcome to. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/10 "2013-09-16T06:10:19Z")
I heard about this when I got home last night. I had been on that exact corner of 42nd & 8th just 10 minutes before the shooting occurred! That’s pretty crazy for the cops to open fire in Times Square on a Saturday night! There were hundreds of people walking about! Obviously they were pretty shitty shots considering they hit two bystanders and \*missed \*their target. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/11 "2013-09-16T14:35:41Z")
Only two? The NYPD are getting lazy: [2012 Empire State Building shooting - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Empire_State_Building_shooting) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/12 "2013-09-16T15:44:20Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > They couldn’t tell the difference in a metro card and a gun? On a brightly lit NY street? I’m loathe to defend the NYPD these days, but this is kind of absurd. The guy was acting like a maniac and he pulled something out of his pocket and pointed it at the cops. While Times Square is lit like a supernova, it was 10 at night and we don’t know how far away the cops were. You can talk about the bad shooting but in context I’m not sure it’s fair to judge them for that mistake. Opening fire in the most crowded part of town is another story. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/13 "2013-09-16T19:25:48Z")
If you want them to shoot more accurately it probably shouldn’t be mandated that they have a 12 lbs trigger pull on their pistols. ---
**Author:** ![Longshanks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Longshanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Longshanks)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/14 "2013-09-16T20:03:06Z")
I said something similar in another thread about the amount of overkill used. Why don’t American cops just use beanbag rounds (strong enough to brake bones at times) against armed suspects. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/15 "2013-09-16T20:36:33Z")
> [@Longshanks](#): > > I said something similar in another thread about the amount of overkill used. Why don’t American cops just use beanbag rounds (strong enough to brake bones at times) against armed suspects. Because even broken bones will not prevent you from shooting back. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/16 "2013-09-16T20:39:39Z")
And because beanbag rounds call for carrying around a shotgun which is, at the least, a bit of a pain and at worst, sending the wrong message. ---
**Author:** ![Longshanks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Longshanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Longshanks)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/17 "2013-09-16T20:42:39Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Because even broken bones will not prevent you from shooting back. Aiming for the persons hands or arms would probably make it a bit tricky for them to immediately use a firearm if their bones are broken. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/18 "2013-09-16T20:55:01Z")
> [@Longshanks](#): > > Aiming for the persons hands or arms would probably make it a bit tricky for them to immediately use a firearm if their bones are broken. In real life that’s very difficult, and if you’re aiming for someone’s hands and arms you are more likely to miss them completely. That’s why police are trained to shoot at the body. They’re not snipers. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/19 "2013-09-16T21:12:54Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > If you want them to shoot more accurately it probably shouldn’t be mandated that they have a 12 lbs trigger pull on their pistols. 12 lb trigger pull?!!? That is more than twice the 4 to 6 lb that should be used for a carry weapon. That must be the New York Glock trigger. Now, I know that this is probably one of those well intentioned things thought to reduce the accidental discharge of the gun while being drawn. But a trigger pull that heavy means that you are going to jerk the shot out of the gun, instead of aiming and squeezing the trigger. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905/20 "2013-09-16T21:17:44Z")
I’m baffled why they didn’t tase the crazy guy. Thats why the cops are issued tasers. It gives them a non-lethal option. If they miss and hit a bystander it won’t endanger their life. (the bystander would be very pissed afterward. But alive.) Usually we see over eager cops tasing guys that are being jerks and just piss them off. Don’t Tase me bro is our nation’s current catch phrase. But when they needed to tase someone they pull out their guns? On a busy NY street full of people? Thats just dumb. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-cops-fire-at-man-and-hit-two-bystanders-instead/668905.md?page=2)