http://blogs.ajc.com/news-to-me/2014...-driving-test/
Woman, 93, killed by police after failing driving test
Taking car keys away from someone who shouldn’t be driving can be dangerous.
In Texas, a 93-year-old woman who failed a driver’s license exam became so upset when her nephew tried to take away her driving privileges she picked up a revolver.
The nephew said the woman, Pearlie Golden, threatened him so he called police in Hearne, Texas, which is located near the middle of the triangle formed by Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.
The arriving officer saw Golden waving a gun around in her yard and asked her to put down her weapon, but eventually he shot at her at least five times. CNN reports she was struck twice. Golden died at a hospital Wednesday night.
Details from the shooting were not released, but neighbors question why police shot the “sweet, sweet woman†known as Miss Sully.
“Even if she did have a gun, she is in her 90s,†Lawanda Cooke told the local TV station. “They could have shot in the air to scare her. Maybe she would have dropped it. I don’t see her shooting anyone.â€
The officer, Stephen Stem, has been placed on paid leave.
In 2012, Stem shot and killed a man who was shooting a gun from a car in an apartment parking lot. He was not charged in that shooting.
This story made me think of a few questions:
When should younger folks take the keys away from older folks? My grandfather was a better driver at 85 than many people on I-85 are today.
What’s the best way to get the car keys?
Would this have happened in a state with stricter gun laws?
Why did the cop feel threatened enough to shoot?
Should police treat a situation involving an elderly gunman differently?
What do you think?
Taking car keys away from someone who shouldn’t be driving can be dangerous.
In Texas, a 93-year-old woman who failed a driver’s license exam became so upset when her nephew tried to take away her driving privileges she picked up a revolver.
The nephew said the woman, Pearlie Golden, threatened him so he called police in Hearne, Texas, which is located near the middle of the triangle formed by Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.
The arriving officer saw Golden waving a gun around in her yard and asked her to put down her weapon, but eventually he shot at her at least five times. CNN reports she was struck twice. Golden died at a hospital Wednesday night.
Details from the shooting were not released, but neighbors question why police shot the “sweet, sweet woman†known as Miss Sully.
“Even if she did have a gun, she is in her 90s,†Lawanda Cooke told the local TV station. “They could have shot in the air to scare her. Maybe she would have dropped it. I don’t see her shooting anyone.â€
The officer, Stephen Stem, has been placed on paid leave.
In 2012, Stem shot and killed a man who was shooting a gun from a car in an apartment parking lot. He was not charged in that shooting.
This story made me think of a few questions:
When should younger folks take the keys away from older folks? My grandfather was a better driver at 85 than many people on I-85 are today.
What’s the best way to get the car keys?
Would this have happened in a state with stricter gun laws?
Why did the cop feel threatened enough to shoot?
Should police treat a situation involving an elderly gunman differently?
What do you think?
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