Boy killed by California deputy

People are protesting the killing http://abcnews.go.com/US/t/story/protesters-gather-boy-shot-calif-deputy-20718546?ref=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.yahoo.com%2F

In this instance, because the toy gun he was leveling at officers had the red tip removed, I believe the officers were justified in using lethal force.

If memory serves me correctly, this air-soft gun was a replica of an AK-47.

Many toy guns come with a bright red tip so that it can readily be identified as a toy. My son had a bunch of air-soft guns and all of them had red tips on the end of the barrels.

I had the misfortune to have a severely mentally disabled 30-something greet me at his trailer door and point a toy .38 at me and sneer that he "ought to just kill you", referring to me, of course.   I had no clue as to his mental capacity or if the gun was real.

I can understand why the deputy shot the kid.

Eric wrote:

People are protesting the killing http://abcnews.go.com/US/t/story/protesters-gather-boy-shot-calif-deputy-20718546?ref=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.yahoo.com%2F

In this instance, because the toy gun he was leveling at officers had the red tip removed, I believe the officers were justified in using lethal force.

If memory serves me correctly, this air-soft gun was a replica of an AK-47.

Many toy guns come with a bright red tip so that it can readily be identified as a toy.  My son had a bunch of air-soft guns and all of them had red tips on the end of the barrels.

I had the misfortune to have a severely mentally disabled 30-something greet me at his trailer door and point a toy .38 at me and sneer that he "ought to just kill you", referring to me, of course.   I had no clue as to his mental capacity or if the gun was real.

I can understand why the deputy shot the kid.

You are correct either the red/orange tips are removed or painted over....not a smart move....there are handguns that look exactly like glocks/sig sauer's etc...This goes more towards parenting and is a reflection of society today and sadly this won't be the last case....

Agreed. Under the circumstances, I have a very difficult time understanding exactly what people are protesting. No doubt the officer feels badly enough, although (in my opinion) the shooting was justified.

I agree with all of you.