Why didn police tackle Mr. Collins or use a stun gun?
Chemical irritant is preferred for subduing a suspect in Cincinnati. Mr. Collins was sprayed with irritant at least three times, twice just before he was shot. Police said the chemical did not subdue him. Officers called repeatedly for a “Taser” stun gun. In Cincinnati, only police supervisors carry Tasers. No supervisor arrived before the shooting. Officers are trained that a suspect can close a distance of 21 feet before an officer can unholster his gun, aim and shoot. The distance is 10 feet if the gun is out and aimed. Mr. Collins was 8 to 15 feet from the officers, who had him at gunpoint, when he was shot. Tackling an armed suspect or getting close enough to use a PR-24 baton puts the officer within his “kill zone,” or the area where the suspect can harm the officer. Q: Lorenzo Collins was shot three times, all in the central part of his body. Why didn’t officers shoot the brick out of his hand or shoot him in the arm? A: Officers are trained to use deadly force to stop a threat.
