General Chat

Are you saying he chose to be shot? As I understand it the police do not have to warn anyone if they think it would be dangerous to do so, and as I wasn't there, I don't know how many times they shouted, what they shouted or whether what they shouted was easy to hear. Loudness isn't the same as clearness. And even if he was a scrounger (which has not been proved) being shot is rather drastic. I do hope nobody here gets accidentally shot, as I am sure we could all find an unpaid parking ticket, or overdue library book to justify it. nell

Before the police shoot anyone there are plenty of warnings. Firstly he was ordered to stop, twice, which he didn't do.. secondly they informed him they were armed police and to stop, which he didn't do... then they give three seperate warnings that they will open fire, he still didn't stop... so they shot him. He knew what would happen, he understood english... his mistake not the police. I feel for his family but support the police - imagain what could have happened if he had a bomb, they had to make the decision and i think it was the right one! xxx

Probably cash in hand work. Easy as an electrician.

Certainly removes weight from the 'poor foreigner abroad not understanding what's going on' theory doesn't it. He probably thought he was going to be deported. Yep - just confirmed he was working illegally.

I had not read that Wendy, neither had I read his visa had run out. But he was supposedly working here legally. (according to the mail). trouble is we can only know what the papers feed us and they all seem to come up with a different story. The police were in plain clothes though so i suppose he could have thought they were imposters (playing devil's advocate here). Ann Glos

Apparently he was challenged at a bus stop by officers who identified themselves as police..............

In the mail, one report said that he had already had his tools stolen twice (he was a Brazilian electrician), his cousin thinks he thought that they were a gang out to get him. Apparently stockwell station is well known for robberies. I do wonder why the police allowed him to get on a bus if they thought he might be the bomber, given that 2 buses had already been targetted. I also realise why the police shot him and, before anyone jumps, I am not criticizing the police. i just think how sad it is for his family, for whom he was intending to provide, and for his girlfriend waiting for him in Brazil. Ann Glos

I guess it's a better reason than nothing. If a person has nothing to feel guilty about, why should they run from police? Especially with everything that's going on at present. He could have felt guilty about working here when he wasn't allowed to, and thought they had found him out. It's the most plausible thing I've heard all weekend.

yeah rite!!! i think the police were within their rights to shoot him and as for parliament,well,they should never have shut down on friday,knowing that the country is in danger!! susie

Not worth getting shot for. I can only assume he didn't realise they were policemen, and mistook them for gangsters. nell

Apparently the Brazilian shot dead at Stockwell had an out of date visa.