Another gut churning story of a young person being shot and killed has gained national attention. This story comes out of my home state of NC, where 18 year old Keith Vidal of Boiling Springs Lakes, was shot and killed. He was 90 pounds. He had schizophrenia.
According to Keith’s stepfather, Vidal’s family had called the police for help because he was in the middle of a schizophrenic episode, allegedly holding a “small screwdriver” and threatening to fight his mother. It seemed as if the situation had become controlled however, with two officers were restraining Vidal, when a third officer came in and shot him point-blank, killing him. What could be one of the most troubling aspects of this story, are the words Keith’s stepfather alleges the cop said before shooting the 90 pound teen.
The responsible cop [allegedly] came in and said:
“I don’t have time for this. Tase him. Let’s get him out of here.”
These words, if true, are very startling. If you do not “have time for this” then do not be a cop. This type of arrogance and callous disregard for people, is what helps create and perpetuate a large amount of distrust between regular people and the police/law enforcement.
Vidal’s family believes he was murdered in cold blood. They do not believe he was causing a major threat and prosecutors in North Carolina are saying that they will work to find out the truth behind this heartbreaking story. Vidal’s mother said she had tried to seek treatment for her mentally ill son before, and neighbors said while he battled depression and schizophrenia, he had never harmed anyone.
It is sad to think that many times we see regular people, in need of help, seek the only agency they believe they can count on: the police; they never imagine that this simple act would so incredibly backfire. I am sure that Keith Vidal’s parents would not have called the cops if they knew one of them would so coldly shoot and kill their treasured son. We must continue to ask ourselves why? Why does this keep happening and also,?how?can it be stopped?
Police need to know that they are?not?above the law. Just because they help enforce the law and punish those who break laws, does not mean that they are immune to their own punishment. It seems there is an over all desensitized mentality we [regular people and cops] have when it comes to murder. We should not just accept these tragic deaths. Killing another human being should be considered a major act, even if you feel you were justified. ?I have never had police training, but what are they taught about shooting to harm instead of kill? We hear stories over and over of subjects being shot in the head and chest and then later there are these vague or incoherent stories of the perpetrators claiming self defense. But why don’t these cops shoot these people in the leg or foot if they “really” have to shoot them at all? Why is this not seen as the first option to many? The lack of regard those in power can seem to have for taking another human life, is egregious.
This was a 90 pound teenager with schizophrenia. How in the world was him holding a small screwdriver, so very threatening that it warranted being shot and killed? Again, this is a story that never should have happened. I should never have to write about something like this. When will it stop? We need to change the specific policies that are within police forces to emphasize that shooting to kill should be the very last option. And if these policies already exist, they should be better enforced and failing to enact these policies should cause one to be heavily punished. I sincerely hope NC gets to the bottom of this and Vidal’s grieving family receives justice.
Edited/Published by: SB
