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.
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.
Although it’s not that hard to unmount a weapon mounted light (WML), you typically do not - it’s just how your gun is configured. Sort of like if you put new laces on shoes, you can technically take them off, but why would you? WMLs are used to help identify targets in dark areas - especially when the possibility of actually shooting is very high - i.e. if you know someone with a gun is hiding in a basement, you’d want your WML on to positively identify them so you’re not shooting at innocent people. HOWEVER, based on everything we’ve heard about these protests, there’s really no reason that the officer should have had his duty weapon out AT ALL. They have regular flashlights for use in regular scenarios (like here) where you need to see in the dark but are not going to be shooting anyone.
You asked “you can … but why would you?”. You answered yourself.
Because he wasn’t in a situation where he was going to need to shoot anyone but he decided to proceed as if he was. And accidents happen, as he demonstrated.
You can say this is SOP, but that’s worse, isn’t it?
Why would you = removing a WML. This guy is clearly a super huge idiot if that’s what he was trying to do. I would think that this is super far from SOP, which should be to use his flashlight since he’s surrounded by 999 other cops, this guy did not need his gun out at all.
Yes, but he did have his gun out and the spokesperson effectively said “don’t worry, he didn’t mean to fire it - he was only planning to point it at people”.
Yeah, sorry, at this point, I don’t know what you’re trying to say. I think we’re both in agreement that this cop is an idiot and should not have his gun out, right?
I’ve only been trying to tell you that your question of “why he didn’t demount the flashlight” is not really how it works.
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.
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???
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.
It’s almost like protests need to be disruptive so people will pay attention and listen.
Guess you forgot about the George Floyd protests 4 years ago.
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/
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.
