Police officer fired gun while clearing protesters from Columbia building, prosecutors say
Police officer fired gun while clearing protesters from Columbia building, prosecutors say
Thursday morning’s law enforcement effort comes after officers spent hours threatening arrests over loud speakers if people did not disperse.
A police officer who was involved in clearing protesters from a Columbia University administration building earlier this week fired his gun inside the hall, a spokesperson for District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office confirmed Thursday.
No one was injured, according to spokesperson Doug Cohen, who said there were other officers but no students in the immediate vicinity. He said Bragg’s office is conducting a review.
He did not provide additional details on the incident, which was first reported by news outlet The City.
The New York Police Department did not immediately respond to The Associated Press’ request for comment.
It's a peaceful protest.
"Not on my watch," growled the NYPD officer.
The gunfire came as police officers stormed Hamilton Hall late Tuesday. Pro-Palestinian protesters had been barricaded inside for more than 20 hours. Video showed officers with zip ties and riot shields streaming through a second-floor window. Police had said protesters inside presented no substantial resistance.
Because it's a peaceful protest...
But I'm sad to say it's more likely the cops said that in a bragging way about how good of a job they did, not that they used excessive force and felt comfortable that they would never be held accountable for abuses towards the protesters.
Let me guess. "We've investigated ourselves and determined we did nothing wrong."
It's just a little desk pop. C'mon everyone does it!
He was just trying to honor the flag
🤣
So he was trying to work the flashlight when he accidentally pulled the trigger. Is there no safety on these guns, or did he disengage that when he was trying to use his radio?
There's no manual safety to disengage on Glock handguns, a common standard issue sidearm.
They have safeties such as a split trigger, but they're intended to stop negligent discharges. There's no switch or button to turn it on and off a "safe" mode.
Thank you. I hadn't checked what they're issued with.
So then I'm wondering why he didn't demount the flashlight. I guess he was worried that he might accidentally fire the gun into his foot while doing so. He's obviously a little bit prone to that kind of thing. Safer to leave it on the rail, I guess.
No surprises there. Clear what the priorities are
The police aren't your friends. Many are trained to believe it's them or you and can only see you as a subhuman threat.
Can’t wait for November to laugh at all the crying libturd memes.
#Trump Nation
Meanwhile we get to laugh at you today and forever!
And so it begins ... again.
The protesters should try being rightwingers. They could beat the cops with fire extinguishers and flagpoles and just get a slap on the wrist.
It was a assident
I think it's super annoying how cops handle weapons in incredibly irresponsible ways. You shouldn't be be walking around with your pistol drawn, you only pull it out if you're going to immediately use it. The reason why is exactly what happened. Handling your gun unnecessarily will increase the number of negligent discharges, because of course it will. Aside from needless property damage, more negligent discharges mean more innocent people get shot for no reason.
to be fair the protesters aren’t really helping their own cause.
the last wave of social protests were maybe 5-10 years ago on sexual assault, and back then protesters knew to keep to public spaces. if you demonstrate on the sidewalk or organise a march you’re exercising freedom of speech.
but the new wave of protest organizers didn’t get the memo or something. when you do shit like block off a highway or occupy a privately-held building, you’re fighting on others’ terms. You annoy the heck out of the public, create ill-will, and give law enforcement the excuse of removing you for trespassing.
the fact that guns were fired (along with the fact that so many policemen showed up) is crazy, but removing these protesters was the right move.
Guess you forgot about the George Floyd protests 4 years ago.
Forgot, intentionally ignored data that didn't fit the narrative
Potato, potato
Hamilton Hall has been occupied multiple times in Columbia's history. This was a symbolic protest and it's sad that you don't know that.
https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/education/columbia-university-protests-history/
It's almost like protests need to be disruptive so people will pay attention and listen.
Sit-ins worked for the civil rights movement. If it worked in the 60s it will work today.
Sit ins worked because being there was the thing they wanted to change.
I don't know if it was the "right move", but yeah it's ineffective to protest at night inside a building. Just sleep in your own bed and march with a sign every day.
These protests are a distraction from their own cause. Columbia is on Broadway. Literally just march down Broadway with signs every day. Every tourist will take photos along the way. You're in one of the most visited cities on the planet, home to the UN, many consulates, many organization headquarters, many famous locations and you stay in some tents uptown?
Fucking why???
Honestly it’s just because they’re stupid kids that at LARPing as civil rights activists. There either isn’t enough sense between them to this correctly or they just don’t care to achieve results