Carole, the police that were first on scene were your typical police who are armed with an ASP (an extendable metal batton) and most likely PARVA (i.e. pepper spray or another variety).

Seeing the gentleman armed with a large bladed weapon (police speak for a very large knife, sword or machete) they sensibly called for armed backup.

Armed backup usually have a 9mm sidearm, a variety of long weapons i.e. a rifle as well as non leathal options i.e. Tazer.

As the report has said that police tazered the armed man to no or little effect and as he presented a clear and present danger to them they shot him.

Now we can only speculate on why he was carrying a large bladed weapon (amongst others found at the scene) and why the tazer had little effect (two option are mental issues or drug useage i.e. PCP is one option).

What I do know is that the police have a duty of care to the public to contain someone in a disturbed mental state with a weapon and cannot let them run around the suburbs of Forest Hill given the danger he presents to the wider public.

There are very few ways out of this and as the tazer seems to have no effect, the man is a danger not only to the public but also to the police they seem to have been left with little option but the one they took.

It is unfortunate to say the least that he was shot, the effect on him, his family and the police who pulled the trigger will be marked.

In truth, if he wasnt carrying a weapon, he wasnt breaking into a car and he wasnt a threat we wouldnt be discussing this.

This post was last modified: 22-02-2012 11:34 AM by Londondrz.