Post by WaTcHeR on Mar 21, 2006 11:15:43 GMT -5
03/21/2006 - According to Montgomery County authorities...Kevin Shields was a desperate man, hyped up on alcohol and ecstasy before off-duty Philadelphia police officer Barry Sudler shot him.
It happened on March 6th in Upper Moreland Township.
--Bruce Castor
I find it likely that Shields would have engaged in any conduct necessary to avoid apprehension.
Reporter - Officer Sudler had just wrapped up his shift and was driving home when a car rear-ended him.
Sudler got out to exchange information...but the driver of the other car...Shields...sped away.
Sudler chased Shields to the Willow Grove train station parking lot in Upper Moreland Township.
--Bruce Castor
Mr. Shields got out of his car very belligerent tone. Began moving rapidly toward office Sudler screaming expletives and obscenities toward him.
Reporter
According to a transcript of a 9-1-1 call...Sudler said...The man just approached me and he's reaching for something. I don't know what he's reaching for but I, I just discharged like four or five times.
The 9-1-1 operator responded and said...I heard ya. Are you okay?
Sudler said...I'm okay.
--Bruce Castor
At this point he has a guy rushing at him acting very erratically doesn't even retreat when he's been fired at 3 times says he's gonna blow him away what am I to expect officers to do in our country.
Reporter
Shields died from a single gunshot wound to the face.
Nat: protest
Reporter
Monday...demonstrators in Philadelphia demanded answers about the deadly shooting.
Shields' family believes the officer should be charged with murder.
But Castor says Sudler acted appropriately.
He says Shields...a fugitive from Michigan...had been stopped earlier by another officer for a traffic violation and gave a false name.
--Bruce Castor
In my judgement officer Sudler was in reasonable fear of imminent serious bodily injury or death at the hands of Shields and was therefore justified in the use of deadly force.
It happened on March 6th in Upper Moreland Township.
--Bruce Castor
I find it likely that Shields would have engaged in any conduct necessary to avoid apprehension.
Reporter - Officer Sudler had just wrapped up his shift and was driving home when a car rear-ended him.
Sudler got out to exchange information...but the driver of the other car...Shields...sped away.
Sudler chased Shields to the Willow Grove train station parking lot in Upper Moreland Township.
--Bruce Castor
Mr. Shields got out of his car very belligerent tone. Began moving rapidly toward office Sudler screaming expletives and obscenities toward him.
Reporter
According to a transcript of a 9-1-1 call...Sudler said...The man just approached me and he's reaching for something. I don't know what he's reaching for but I, I just discharged like four or five times.
The 9-1-1 operator responded and said...I heard ya. Are you okay?
Sudler said...I'm okay.
--Bruce Castor
At this point he has a guy rushing at him acting very erratically doesn't even retreat when he's been fired at 3 times says he's gonna blow him away what am I to expect officers to do in our country.
Reporter
Shields died from a single gunshot wound to the face.
Nat: protest
Reporter
Monday...demonstrators in Philadelphia demanded answers about the deadly shooting.
Shields' family believes the officer should be charged with murder.
But Castor says Sudler acted appropriately.
He says Shields...a fugitive from Michigan...had been stopped earlier by another officer for a traffic violation and gave a false name.
--Bruce Castor
In my judgement officer Sudler was in reasonable fear of imminent serious bodily injury or death at the hands of Shields and was therefore justified in the use of deadly force.