Read and view the following information on this case and post a discussion thread answering the questions posed at the bottom of the assignment.
[2/20/19] Aspiring Rapper Willie McCoy Fatally Shot by California Police
On February 9th, 2019, Willie McCoy, a twenty-year old aspiring rapper, was fatally shot while sleeping in his car in the parking lot of a Northern California Taco Bell. According to reports, the altercation began as a welfare check after witnesses had seen a man slumped over in a car. The police department claims that Willie tried to grab his handgun after waking, which led to the use of deadly force. The Vallejo Police Department has placed the six police officers involved in the shooting on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation. Were the actions of the police officers involved in the shooting justified?
What is your response to these questions?
- What has contributed to the distrust of law enforcement officials across the country?
- Was Willie McCoy was racially profiled?
- Do you believe that the police officers involved in the shooting of Willie McCoy were justified in using deadly force?
- What constitutes excessive use of force?