General Chat

I have just heard that Muslim leaders are asking why Stockwell Road shooting happened. In my opinion, can we ask the Muslim leaders why the last two weeks happened? Drastic times call for drastic measures and everyone needs to understand this. tHis is the police's only option at this time. I am certain if it had been a non asian, the police would still have shot if he or she had not have stopped when asked to. Natalia

I understood from the news reporters interviewing a member of the public who saw the shooting, that the police more or less caught this chap as he tripped/half fell on to the train, then they shot him 5 times in the head. To me that sounds a bit like an over reaction - surely once would have been enough. There were apparently two policeman at least standing over him, couldn't they have cuffed him and held him still? I am not a do-gooder and don't condone the terrorists' actions but we cannot have police shooting anyone and everyone who seems suspicious, despite the tragic events of the last weeks. No I don't live in London, but I have friends and relatives who do, and I know the Muslim lad in Norwich whose Italian fiancee was killed - I just wonder if there will be mistakes or accidents of innocent people getting in the way, if the police get too trigger happy. Don't mean to offend anyone, just my thoughts on the subject.

I know this may cause an uproar and I don't mean any disrespect to anybody but...why didn't they shoot to bring him down?then they could have got information from him .Is that a naive question?? Hop-a-long.

Elizabeth - From what I can gather I think they were worried he was a suicide bomber, if they'd shot him anywhere on his body they might have detonated the bomb (if he had one strapped to him). becx

B BEC,I haven't heard the news today and I am getting the information of this thread.Do you think they got carried away shooting him? I think these people are desperate enough to go anywhere there is a large crowd.If they see this may happen to them also,they may change tactics and target other places.Do you know if the security is being stepped up else where or is it just transport? Hop-a-long.

Fred,I'm not being ignorant but,that's not funny.Why did you have to add the 'bang' bit on? Hop-a-long.

I'm glad to see some comments that reflect some of my thoughts, but the general consensus of opinion seems to be that it's ok to lock people up indefinitely on the basis of a mere suspicion and that a few innocent lives lost in the pursuit of terrorists means not a lot. That doesn't sit easily with me when (quite rightly) there's such outrage when terrorists kill 'innocent' people. I agree that 5 bullets in the head seems excessive and while I know the police have a very difficult job, all this 'get anyone at any cost' talk is taking our society in a very worrying direction I think.

I'm sure EVERYONE is alerted! And for the police.....just to back them up...... did what their training taught them to do! Horrible situation but necessary sometimes! Stel.

I live in North Belfast and have done since I was a child.The constant threat and worry about bombs going off,where it was happening and where were your family members,had it's toll on people.We hear these things and feel from the bottom of our hearts for you,especially people who are caught up in it.We also lived through internment which was a nightmare in itself.The army banging and kicking the doors in in the middle of the night.As a child,being pulled out of bed and the place ransacked.Is this happening to friends and relatives of these bombers at the moment?For those of them who are totally innocent...I for one...am sorry. Hop-a-long.

Felicity, I know that 'innocent till you're proven guilty' is right! However.....with all what is happening at the moment... especially in London...... Would you run from the police if you was 'ordered' to stop? Stel.

Hello Louise, We may well agree more than we realise, given the difficulties of a web-based conversation. :-) I think Elizabeth adds the practical and human side of what I've been trying to say. I know that we don't live in an ideal world and never will. I also know that we don't know the full story of what really happened in the incident we have been discussing, only the news reports and maybe some eyewitness reports. I also know that it doesn't take 5 bullets in a brain at short range and that there are many people all over the country that have lived in fear at one time or another. At the moment is is London's 'turn'; some time in the future the terror will be in another city. It's a tragedy for everyone concerned.

I must admit,it is a scary situation to be in and I know the police had to act quickly.What if,though,these people have them wee buttons that press in when they fall?Sometimes I think the police don't get paid enough.I could never ever be as professional as these people and get on with the job in the face of death. See after something like this happens,do the officers get counselling? Hop-a-long.

I'm not being rude,but in a few weeks,those not directly affected by these attacks,will have moved on and put this to one side.We don't ever forget .We just learn how to deal with it.It's like the terrible tsunami.....I,like so many other people,was deeply affected and watched the news everyday for weeks.I thought of nothing else.Now..I'm sorry to say,I rarely give it a thought.Like the Lady said,it will be another city next time maybe. I'm just remembering,there was a suside bombing in Baghdad and around a hundred people killed.See... that was a few days ago and it's yesterdays news. Hop-a-long.

Stel, I have no idea what I would do. I'd like to think that I would stop, but realistically, I cannot know what I would do in fear, and I'm sure I'd be terrified if someone was pointing a loaded gun at me.

Dear All, There are some very good points made here and I think as someone else said, that despite the difficulties of a web-based conversation, that we all basically agree. One thing's for sure, there's a lot going on in the background that we will probably never know - stuff is always kept back. Worthwhile bearing that in mind over coming days. My concern, like Elizabeth's, is that we risk forgetting what happened - it becomes old news. Whilst that's what enables most people to get on with their lives, we still need to be vigilant and continue to be supportive of those who have been affected. In fact, a little less 'selfishness' (for want of a better description) all round would make the world a better place - we're all so caught up in our own little worlds. One thing never ceases to amaze me though - most of us on these boards are 'reasonable people', we share basic values ... surely, together, we can make a difference! Regs Jane

If any of those advocating 'why didn't they just talk to him' or 'I think 5 shots were excessive' or 'he may have been innocent' were actually there or have half a clue what they are talking about I will happily engage in discussion with them. Failing that I am placing my faith in the forces dealing with the whole mess. Some of us have been at both ends of a gun as well.

Wendy I have no knowledge of things from behind a gun but I agree with you totally that we have to have faith in those who are trained to deal with these situations and have to make informed decisions in an instant - most of us haven't got the slightest idea and speculation without knowledge is useless.

Having come back on this thread,the majority speaks for its self,there is no room for sentiment when fellow citizens are at risk,, Some of the armed police in London have been draughted in from the States,so it may not have been one our boys that pulled the trigger,,and they have no qualms about pulling a trigger at a possible threat,,, And if they are correct the shot man is from Stockwell where they have now arrested another man,,,,, Kay,

Felicity,Re-Wrong end of a loaded Gun. Yes I have and I,ve still got a little piece of the bullet still in me. that was fighting against terrorism. He should have stopped when called upon to do so, the possible risk to others was to great to take chances on.so he was shot. Lots of things go through your mind at a rate of knots,and a decision made. If you are wrong you have to live with it,and get on with life. Hal.

Let's be fair here - none of us really have 'half a clue' what we are talking about. We were none of us there and are relying on partial reporting, speculation, perhaps relevant but unrelated experiences and an issue that has as many solutions as situations. More information is coming out by the day that can alter people's perspectives on things. Its a very interesting discussion, but lets not pretend that we have the right answers - there aren't any - there's only our opinion of what we personally would do. That's why we elect a government and have a police force, and we do have to stand by them in situations like this, and I do too, in spite of anyone may think about any of my comments. Just one final point though - yes, the USA forces are far more willing to pull the trigger, but there are much more frequent inquiries to determine if they were really justified and many more instances when it is found that an officer acted too hastily. However that's not surprising given the greater population of the USA, so before anyone responds to that comment, it's not a criticism, just a statement of fact.