General Chat

Jacqui - have you ever fired a gun?

I'm not feeling victimized, Wendy, just stating facts as I see them. There is no one 'practical' answer, much as we'd all like there to be.

Not when 1 would have had the same effect? Jacqui

8 almost makes 5 seem reasonable doesn't it?

Yes Wendy I understand that, but I feel that perhaps Felicity thought that the situation perhaps reminded her of an execution, rather than apprenhending a suspect (albeit an extreme method but one that was perhaps considered necessary). So, do you consider 8 bullets, 7 too many? An interested Jacqui (with no wish to inflame anyone)

Jacqui - I was responding to Felicity not to your point about 8 rounds being used.

I would ask you Wendy, do you not think that 8 bullets in one guy was 'over-kill'? and I dont need to be reminded about the death and destructions caused by the bombers and their cohorts - I'm just asking you a question. Wouldn't 1 have been enough? Jacqui

If you choose to feel victimized that is your responsibility. You made a ridiculous statement and have to accept that it will be commented on. Of course there are grey areas but some of us are able to see things from a practical point of view rather than an idealistic one.

As I understood it from the weekend reports, 5 shots were in the head, and I assume that the armed police are instructed to shoot suspects in the head, then all 8 (yes 8) bullets must have been aimed at the chap's head. I have actually seen the results of one bullet in the head (gruesome), and I can only imagine what the effects of 8 (or even 5) would have. His mother would not recognise him, nor I suspect, would she want to see him. As I understand it bullets to the body might have triggered an explosion, so logically it would seem to me that if 5 shots were in his head (quite sufficient to have done the deed), then the 3 extra shots were unnecessary to kill the chap. Jacqui

Dictionary definition of execution: Carrying out capital punishment (no mention of shooting up against the wall) ann Glos

I did think being shot 8 times was a bit OTT, or were they such bad shots!! I also heard on the news that his visa may not have been out of date. ann Glos

I'm sorry if my comment was emotive - does it sound any better if I change 'firing squad' to 'shooting'? I was responding to the suggestion that because he was an illegal immigrant, or had commited some other crime, he was wrong to run, and it was right that he was shot. Lots of people have strong opinions about this whole sorry situation. Some seem to be saying that the only 'valid' ones are those that see things in very black and white terms and accept no shades of grey. Telling me that I have an 'ignorance of the situation of staggering proportions' is insulting for reasons that I'm not prepared to explain. What a pity that these interesting and necessary debates continue to get personal and vindictive.

Would just like to add that apparently, according to the opening of the Coroner's Inquest today, the chap was shot 8 (yes 8) times not 5 as previously reported. I do think that 8 bullets in one chap is 'over kill' if you will pardon the expression, and totally unnecesary. I am unsure why the guy acted the way he did, perhaps the police in Brazil had left him with a legacy of fear - we have all heard the stories of the latin-american 'police' forces and government troops. It is a great shame that he was shot and an even greater shame that the buggers who carried out the bombings will likely get their nuckles rapped and life imprisonment at HM's pleasure - board and lodgings provided. Jacqui

The firing squad comment was fatuous and completely uncalled for. The man was NOT stood against a wall and executed for living in Britain on an out of date visa. Comments like that are hardly helpful and display an ignorance of the situation of staggering proportions. The British police have high standards.

It's just all very sad.

agree with you Felicity,especially if you know the area is notorious for robbery and you have already had tools stolen twice. Ann Glos

Felicity Well said! nell

Some people, for whatever reason, would like to get out of the way of a pointed gun and don't stop to think about who is waving it or trust what is being yelled at them. There isn't a 'right' or 'wrong' way to behave in that situation, there's only what happens. So many people have said that the police had only a split-second to make up their minds what to do - so did the man they shot. The punishment for being an illegal immigrant is deportation, not firing squad. Gwynne, I take your point, but police sources are only part of the information in the public domain.

I agree with you Felicity and if anyone is really to blame for this man's death it is the terrorists who started this whole thing. His blood is on their hands! Julie xxx

It's hardly wild speculation to quote what police sources are saying. Gwynne