Shootings by Denver Police Prompt Outcry: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Sunday, August 1, 2004 at 04:13AM
TheSpook
Fatal shootings by Denver police have raised questions over the
department's use of force and prompted the U.S. Justice Department to
consider an investigation into local law enforcement. The latest
killing was July 11, when a Denver police officer looking for a
domestic violence suspect crawled through an upstairs window and shot
63-year-old invalid, Frank Lobato (Pictured above
left) as he lay in bed, watching television. Police said the officer
thought Lobato, who was not the wanted man, was holding a gun. It
turned out to be a soda can. Denver police fatally shot eight people
last year and three this year. The circumstances surrounding many of
the cases have raised eyebrows. Last year, an officer killed Paul
Childs (Pictured above top
right), a 15-year-old developmentally disabled black teenager armed
with a knife. The shooting sparked demonstrations and anger throughout
the city. In many cases,
those killed were black or Latino. "The police are very much distrusted
in the minority community," the Rev. Patrick Demmer, a community
activist, said. "They go into these communities like they are going
into a war zone." [more] and [more]
Latino Man had a Soda Can in his hand, NOT A GUN. Police shoot and kill. [more]