Sheriff's deputy killed, what's the motive? - Eleni Loving

While pumping gas, a white Texas Sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed in the Houston area by a black man named Shannon J. Miles. The motive is unknown, which makes accusations run rampant. Miles was charged Saturday, and police still don’t have a motive and cannot find a connection between the two men. The Sheriff claims that the shooting may be an act related to the high tension between the police and the public recently. One of the leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement then replied, saying it’s unfortunate that the Sheriff would imply that this was the motive since the movement is about ending violence.

This article was written by an NPR writer, Scott Neuman, and the issue seems to be presented fairly because quotes from both sides are included. I had no prior knowledge of this event, although I do keep myself updated in the events that are related to this subject. I think having this knowledge made me more biased towards the Black Lives Matter leader’s comment. I think the main point this article is trying to convey is that because this is a very new event, they are still trying to find out the motive of Miles. Although there are some inferences to what his motive is. From my perspective, until they get a clear motive as to why this African-American man shot a sheriff’s deputy, they cannot just blame it on the recent uproar against police brutality. The accusation that the shooting had something to do with the “tension between the police and the public”, is wrong. To me that is not treating the Black Lives Matter movement with respect, because the whole movement is about getting the police departments to recognize and make a change in the way they are treating African Americans in today’s society through the non-violent approach. Maybe a thought of rebellion was going through Miles’ mind, who knows. But to blame it on such a huge and powerful movement isn’t the way to go. The fight against racial profiling to me is, currently one of the hardest it’s ever been, and for people to not realize that or to be against it is disappointing, but expected.

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/08/30/436028538/motive-still-sought-in-fatal-shooting-of-texas-sheriffs-deputy