MI Cops Shoot Unarmed Marijuana Activist

[RamblerGambler]

Via Rawstory:

A 20-year-old university student in Michigan is hospitalized and in serious condition after police shot the man Wednesday while serving a drug warrant. He was unarmed, investigators said.

Coming through an apartment's back door, an Ottawa County deputy allegedly shined a flashlight into the student's face, causing him to raise his right hand in front of his eyes.

The officer, whose name was not released, fired a single bullet into Derek Copp's chest. The 20-year-old Grand Valley State University student, who survived the shooting, said he had no idea the man was an officer.

The Raw Story | MI cops shot unarmed, 20-year-old marijuana activist

Now granted, I'm not sure how much of an "activist" this kid was. And anyone that puts the phrase "Smoke the Bowlski" on their facebook profile is an complete idiot. But that doesn't excuse the strong arm tactics on a seemingly nonviolent criminal.

Up until now this story has not gotten much airtime other than the seemingly lopsided coverage from the local news.

"The Grand Rapids Press took a look at Coppâ??s Facebook page and found that it had 'drug references,' as though that had some bearing on whether he should have been shot or not. They found out that the student had expressed 'his advocacy and interest in reforming marijuana laws' and that he had declared himself to be a 'left wing hippie peace-keeping liberal.'

"But wait, thereâ??s more. He had advocated the passage of last fallâ??s proposal to legalize medical marijuana in Michigan. And he liked the movie Drugstore Cowboy, as well as - gasp! - Martin Scorcese movies. Worst of all, he had quoted Grateful Dead lyrics.

"This strikes me as the drug war equivalent of asking what a rape victim was wearing."

RamblerGambler Reviewed by RamblerGambler on 03-17-2009. MI Cops Shoot Unarmed Marijuana Activist Via Rawstory: The Raw Story | MI cops shot unarmed, 20-year-old marijuana activist Now granted, I'm not sure how much of an "activist" this kid was. And anyone that puts the phrase "Smoke the Bowlski" on their facebook profile is an complete idiot. But that doesn't excuse the strong arm tactics on a seemingly nonviolent criminal. Up until now this story has not gotten much airtime other than the seemingly lopsided coverage from the local news. Rating: 5

[killerweed420]

I still believe its becoming time to disarm our police forces. They are just not smart enough to carry firearms safely. They put too many innocent people at risk. And I'm an avid conservative. I just don't believe there are enough cops out there with any kind of experience, commonsense or training to be carrying firearms any more.

[Markass]

I still believe its becoming time to disarm our police forces. They are just not smart enough to carry firearms safely. They put too many innocent people at risk. And I'm an avid conservative. I just don't believe there are enough cops out there with any kind of experience, commonsense or training to be carrying firearms any more.

I agree..

I'd like to know what evidence they had to raid his place..'anonymous tip?'

[the image reaper]

take guns away from cops ??? what is the color of the sky on your planet ??? ... every cop isn't a corrupt idiot, you know ... and, who's gonna protect your punkasses ? .. you gonna call a hippie for help, while your family is being robbed, raped, and murdered ?? ... good grief, maybe pot does cause brain damage :wtf:

[killerweed420]

I don't need a cop to babysit me. I do fine on my own. And the amount of innocent people they are killing and intimidating just isn't worth. People need to accept more responsibilty in there lives. Quit relying on everybody else to babysit them.

[luciddreamer]

They should get taser guns only. But make ones that shoot bullets that just attach to the skin or something. There's no need to shoot anyone.

[Greenthing]

Did they even check him out before going in heavy handed, maybe they should have put him under surveillance first, how hard would it be to search his apartment for weapons and stuff while he was out.
In the policemans defence he could have been reaching for a gun as he stooped down.
IMHO they should not give monkeys guns to play with.:hippy:

[killerweed420]

They don't want to spend the resources to investigate so its easier just to bust the door down. What makes it even worse is they find some judge thats either dumber than a post or they have something on and use them to get these phony warrants.

[the image reaper]

we just had FOUR brave Oakland, CA cops murdered, after pulling over a car, with a parolee that had just raped a 12-year old girl ... maybe they shouldn't have had guns, either ? ... :wtf: ... maybe they should have waited for a fucking pacifist to come catch the guy