12-15-2016, 01:45 PM
This tragedy makes me sad. More and more, I'd be hesitant to call 911 unless I was sure it was a matter of life or death. Too many innocent people get shot by officers responding to 911 calls, in my opinion.
Francisco Serna, the 73-year-old man with dementia who was killed by California police this week, was carrying a crucifix, not a gun, police said Wednesday.
![[Image: francisco-serna-4.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&strip=all]](https://heavyeditorial.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/francisco-serna-4.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&strip=all)
A Bakersfield officer fired seven shots at Serna early Monday shortly after midnight when a neighbor pointed him out, police said. Serna (pictured above with his wife) died at the scene.
Bakersfield Police Chief Lyle Martin said Tuesday that officers had been told that a man was roaming the neighborhood, armed with a revolver and acting bizarrely.
When the neighbor blurted out "That's him!" they turned around to see Serna approaching with his hands in his pockets. Martin said Serna failed to comply with officers' orders to stop and show his hands. The officer who fired the seven shots, Regan Selman, is on administrative leave pending an investigation, along with six other responding officers.
Police confirmed to NBC affiliate KGET on Wednesday that a crucifix was later found on Serna's body — not a gun.
Serna's daughter Laura told NBC News this week that her father was diagnosed with dementia in July and that his health had taken a recent turn for the worse. "My dad was murdered, I believe, for no reason," Laura Serna said.
Martin called the shooting a "tragedy" but said only 20 to 30 seconds elapsed "from the subject saying 'That's him!' to shots fired." "They're being told he had a handgun and 'that's him,'" Martin said. "It's kind of tough to address that in 20 seconds."
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/fran...ng-n696221
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I know the responding officer in this case wasn't likely itching to kill someone. But, shooting an elderly man who was acting confused and never brandished a weapon, seven times, ain't right. That should not be what cops are trained to do when no one's life can reasonably be perceived to be in immediate danger, in my opinion.
RIP Francisco Serna.
Francisco Serna, the 73-year-old man with dementia who was killed by California police this week, was carrying a crucifix, not a gun, police said Wednesday.
A Bakersfield officer fired seven shots at Serna early Monday shortly after midnight when a neighbor pointed him out, police said. Serna (pictured above with his wife) died at the scene.
Bakersfield Police Chief Lyle Martin said Tuesday that officers had been told that a man was roaming the neighborhood, armed with a revolver and acting bizarrely.
When the neighbor blurted out "That's him!" they turned around to see Serna approaching with his hands in his pockets. Martin said Serna failed to comply with officers' orders to stop and show his hands. The officer who fired the seven shots, Regan Selman, is on administrative leave pending an investigation, along with six other responding officers.
Police confirmed to NBC affiliate KGET on Wednesday that a crucifix was later found on Serna's body — not a gun.
Serna's daughter Laura told NBC News this week that her father was diagnosed with dementia in July and that his health had taken a recent turn for the worse. "My dad was murdered, I believe, for no reason," Laura Serna said.
Martin called the shooting a "tragedy" but said only 20 to 30 seconds elapsed "from the subject saying 'That's him!' to shots fired." "They're being told he had a handgun and 'that's him,'" Martin said. "It's kind of tough to address that in 20 seconds."
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/fran...ng-n696221
=====================================
I know the responding officer in this case wasn't likely itching to kill someone. But, shooting an elderly man who was acting confused and never brandished a weapon, seven times, ain't right. That should not be what cops are trained to do when no one's life can reasonably be perceived to be in immediate danger, in my opinion.
RIP Francisco Serna.