Georgia Tech Shooting- Sanaya Gangal

Summary of Article:

     Georgia Tech encountered a horrific even when 21-year-old Scout Schultz was fatally shot by a police officer for having a mental breakdown. At 11:17 p.m. on Saturday, Scout Schultz phoned 911 to report a suspicious person on campus possessing dangerous weaponry like a gun or a knife. Although this accusation made by Schultz was false, it was most likely a cry for help because the Georgia Bureau of Investigation found evidence of three suicide notes in his dorm after his death. Sources say that the college student frequently struggled with depression and mental breakdowns, which usually triggers involuntary actions like the one that happened the day of his death. 

     As the officers approached the scene of where the 911 call was initiated, they found Schultz barefoot and disoriented walking the halls of the dorm clutching a knife, Since these abnormal signs produced a threat to the officers, at least two guns were drawn on Schultz as he was staggering towards them with the knife still in his hand. 

A bystander videotaping off of their cellphone caught the following dialogue on camera.

"Come on, man, drop the knife," one officer said. "Come on, let's drop it," another officer said.

Schultz walked toward them slowly, and shouted, "Shoot me!"

"No, drop the knife," the first officer said.

The officers repeatedly told Schultz to drop the knife and one says, "Nobody wants to hurt you." Another said, "What's going on, man?"

After people were aware of what was happening, more officers' were heard telling Schultz to not move and to drop the knife. Unfortunately, right before being killed, Schultz didn't listen and walked three steps forward. This resulted in shots being fired at him and his death.

Analysis of Article:

     Prior to reading this article, my initial thought on the police cases that showed up on the news was that many of them abuse their power to harm innocent people when they don't get what they want. After reading this article, my point of view has shifted (just a little bit) to where I believe that some police officers abuse their power when they are under stress and feel threatened. Knowing that Scout Schultz died at the hands of an officer when he needed help from someone is extremely devastating. Even though he could have been a threat to the officers or other people around him, the way the cops executed their plan (openly shooting at him), was uncalled for.

Source:

http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/18/us/georgia-tech-student-killed/index.html