I have been following this thread for a couple of days but have had to restrain from replying due to reasons which I can not elaborate on. For those of you who aren't as priviledged, to some information as I am, I will inform you of the truth.
Patrol Officer Thompson (who for the record is black and not African American, because to my knowledge he was not born in Africa) was conducting a mandatory patrol check of the area. A mandatory patrol check was set up in this area, a few years back, due to it being identified as a high crime area, and open air drug market. Officer Thompson observed a vehicle, which had backed over a curb, then over a sidewalk, just missing an electrical box, telephone box, and a tree. The vehicle was in a grassy common area between two apartment buildings, and was very close to striking, if not going through a lower level window, to someone's apartment.
Officer Thompson approached the vehicle and found the driver of the vehicle, who was later identifed at Jonothan Zacharias Lyles, passed out in the driver's seat of the vehicle, which was running. Officer Thompson notified his communcations of his findings and an ambulance was dispatched. The ambulance responded, but was told to stage in the area, as is practice for this particular housing complex. A few years back, someone in the complex called for an ambulance, for someone who had been feeling "sick" for a couple of days, and decided they needed a taxi ride to the hospital, during the middle of the night. The dedicated volunteer rescue squad people, who receive no pay, had to leave their beds, at home and respond to the station to get the ambulance out. The "sick" person's family decided it was taking too long for the ambulance to get there. Once the ambulance did arrive on the scene to help this "sick" person, the family decided to verbally abuse the ambulance crew and made threats to their safety. Then, in their great wisdom, they went outside and slashed all the tires to the ambulance. So now, another ambulance had to come from even further away, and delayed getting their loved "sick" one to the hospital, which was only a mile away. So now everytime an ambulance is called in this area, it has to stage before going to the call, and wait for the police to respond first and give the "ok" to come in.
Back to my original story. Two more patrol officers arrived on the scene to assist Officer Thompson. They were able to awake Mr. Lyles and detected that he had been consuming alcoholic beverages. Mr. Lyles was asked to exit his vehicle. Mr. Lyles was not immediately searched, because the officers had no probable cause to do that yet, as he was not under arrest yet. Mr. Lyles was given field sobriety test, as is always the case, when an officer believes someone is under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. Mr. Lyles was unable to complete these Standardized test and it was decided that he was going to be placed under arrest. As the officer attempted to handcuff Mr. Lyles, he then decided to pull away, and to resist arrest. Mr. Lyles reached into his pants and pulled out a loaded semi-automatic 9mm handgun and fired a round at one of the police officers. One of the officers re-acted to his training and deployed his firearm, and fired one round to the center mass area of Mr. Lyles, and struck him in the aforementioned area. Contrary to what a particular person on this forum believes, Any trained shooter whether it be a law enforcement officer, military personel, or trained citizen who is issued a handgun permit, is taught to aim and fire at the center mass of a target. The reason for using deadly force is to stop an immediate threat. Therefor the intention is not to mame or injury, which could possible allow the threat to continue.
Once Mr. Lyles had been struck, the police officers immediately began to perform medical treatment to him. The ambulance, which was staging nearby, was immediately called in, and was on the scene performing emergency medical treatment within three minutes. Mr. Lyles was transported to a nearby location, where a medivac helicopter was waiting. Family members of Mr. Lyles decided to respond to this location as well, and due to their disorderly actions, may have prolonged treatment being administered to him. Mr. Lyles was transported to PG Trauma Center, where he was later pronounced dead. Family members also responded to the hospital and became disorderly. Numerous police officers from the PG Police Department were dispatched to the hospital to disperse the disorderly crowd.
Mr. Lyles as you can see, had a lengthy criminal record, and was known to be actively participating in criminal activity. Mr. Lyles, and you can see, also had a history of carrying a concealed handgun, contrary to statements issued by some of his family members. I urge everyone to pay attention to a press conference, later today, and more information as to Mr. Lyles ongoing criminal activity will be divulged.
I also have to mention, that the apartment complex, that Mr. Lyles was on, is owned by a private property management company which has very strict rules. Mr. Lyles, not being a tenant, nor named in a lease to anyone on the property, was not even authorized to be on the property. There are numerous signs posted on the property which inform tenants and guest of the property rules. Therefor, Mr. Lyles was also trespassing, as he was not being accompanied by a tenant of the property at the time of this incident.
Later in the evening, some family members and numerous other people decided to hold a candle light vigal to honor our outstanding and law abiding citizen Mr. Lyles. During the vigal, a loud disturbance broke out among the particpants of this "peaceful gathering". Police officers, many of whom were asked to take time away from their families on their days off and to come to work, were on stand by in the area. Police assistance was requested by unknown persons. Numerous police officers responded to the scene and were greeted by a very hostile and unruly crowd. Officers were verbally abused and threats against their safety were made. The police officers used great restraint, and once they had somewhat quelled the disturbance, left the immediate area. The law abiding citizens, who were peacefully gathering to celebrate the life of a "thug" decided to then spray paint graffiti on the parking lot, the sidewalks, and on numerous buildings in the complex. The area was also littered with a very large amount of alcoholic beverage containers and debris.
To continue my story. A number of police officers had decided to move into the area, at the property managements request, and because their low salaries, prohibit them from obtaining more luxorious living accomodations. Because of threats of retaliation, by members of Mr. Lyles fellow gang members, oh yea, that hasn't been brought up by his family members yet!! Some of the officers have been temporarily displaced from their homes. Not only have these officers been temporarily displaced, they have had their property and front doors vandalized and threats have been spray painted on their front doors.
Now I dont know about you, but I'm having a hard time understanding some of the outrage at the police officers. Does anybody seem to have the same problem as me? Especially since many of the officers involved, as well as, officers who work that area everday, have given countless hours of their time to providing for a better lifestyle for the citizens of this particular area.
I hope I have cleared up a few issues for the readers of this forum and have enlighted some. Please stay tuned to the local news in the next couple of days, you may learn some more information on our fine outstanding Mr. Lyles.