Norfolk officers not indicted in fatal shooting of 'Gucci' Dennis

I'm glad my comments could get a rise out of everyone. Again, it's pretty sad that all the training officers get is to blow them away with no questions asked. The situation could have been diffused in so many other ways, but that would be to hard for our fellow officers.

I am a former police officer. I drew my weapon on many occasions. Thankfully, I never had to fire it outside the practice range. I've been less than 3ft. from someone brandishing a butchers knife. I didn't shoot. I was able, by divine Grace perhaps, to talk them into dropping the weapon. I've been less than 10ft. from a person wielding a double barrel shot- gun. I couldn't even get my weapon out before he was that close. I, thankfully, was able to talk him down also. There were other occasions.
I'm not demeaning the officers in this case, nor am I questioning their actions. I'm only saying that one's response to a stressful event, is not due only to one's training but also to one's upbringing, beliefs, prejudices,(we all prejudge sometimes), stresses in one's everyday life,(Problems at home, etc.), & one's state of mind at the time of a stressful event.

I really think it would be a great jesture for the publics benefit if some of these folks that are finding fault in the police to take the time to form a crisis group since this is what we have, and ride with the police officers. This way they could show the police the proper way to disarm someone who has a weapon for "their own protection" by getting between the police and these outstanding citizens. Please approach the city about doing this before the police shoot everyone!

I didn't say, nor did I imply, that statues & monuments were racists. I conveyed that the citizens that lost the war of their cause, had racist intentions to build the monuments to men, who by military law, were traitors. I don't feel that "His Story" should be denied; I feel it should be honest, balanced, & complete. Let's be honest with ourselves, American Whites, for the large part, have always had the past taught to their advantage & liking. I'm not bitter about this; I just wish we as a nation were more truthful with our interpretations of our past. Because of denial within much of our nation, rich History has been lost to too many of us. It seems many of us are unaware of this nation's "History" because we've been filled with too much "His Story."

I'm neither black or white, but am a lover of all history, Good, Bad & Ugly. The monuments are there because of historical significance, and rightfully so. Richmond was the Capitol of the Confederacy. While the people/statues were at war with the USA, they were for the most part all famous historic Virginians, & so should be there for that reason alone. I'm no big fan of Jeff Davis(not a Virginian), but he was CIC in Richmond at wartime, his statue should be allowed too. I think there should be a statue of Nat Turner too, near Boykins, or Franklin perhaps, & many, many, more of all historical personages pertaining to locality, & historical events. In my opinion, everything including statues, flags, slave shacks, slave owner's mansions, cotton warehouses, & anything still standing should be preserved for future generations to enjoy in person, & not just in a book saying they used to exist. If you deny the past, you may as well rewrite history to suit your personal agenda.

Blacks in the USA can be guilty of Bigotry & Prejudice. However, they can't be guilty of Racism. One has to belong to a group that sets all the norms, writes the laws, decides credit worthiness, controls the press, & other media, decides school curriculums, etc. Racism, for much of the USA's history, has been legal & institutional. Racist attitudes still exist. If not, why are all those monuments to a bunch of traitors of the USA still standing on Monument Ave. in Richmond?
If one has never been followed through a dept. store from the moment of entrance, or had a phone call come to the cashier telling them to check your I.D. because you're making a large purchase with a platinum credit card; even though the 16 yr. old White kid in front of you made an even larger purchase without going through the I.D. check, perhaps one can't understand feelings within the minds of many minorities. Racial & Ethnic minorities have been mistreated throughout the history of the USA. Blacks, by law, were considered only 3/5 of a human being in the USA.

That's the part that gets me in the Darden case. If they were partners.. how the hell did he not recognize him, no matter what clothes he was wearing? That is the question that keeps popping into my head. Even if the events happened quickly, that question should certainly be answered publicly, or addressed until it is answered to the family's satisfaction, if it's at all possible.

but the academy I went to DID NOT teach us to fire twice and then analyze the situation. We were taught if deadly force is justified then utilize deadly force until that threat no longer exists, whether that threat is to the officers life or the lives of others around him/her. Not checking with a supervisor was a grave mistake and it cost Darden his life. As I've said many times that was a tragedy, one that could've easily been avoided if he had stayed where he was supposed to be on the assignment he was supposed to cover. He made a conscious decision to leave his assigned post and it cost him his life. I've never once said he wasn't a good cop because I didn't know the man. One thing that I DO know is that in the field of law enforcement you NEVER leave your assignment without proper authorization ESPECIALLY if you're on a stakeout! Responding to a situation like that in plainclothes with NO police identifiers visible AND wielding a firearm is a recipe for disaster and that's exactly what happened- a disaster!

Seneca Darden was a good cop whose name was ruined because of idiotic statements of a police chief who passed the buck instead of taking responsibility for the what happened that night! Seneca's death was partly due to his new assignment that placed plainsclothes officers at risk! Sooner or later it was bound to happen and Seneca just happened to be the unfortunate victim! Many of you blame him for responding to this crime scene, however, the only mistake they made that night was not calling their supervisor prior to responding to the call! Did that justify his death? Meeting a friend doesn't constitute having an affair such you suggest in your statement! I am not angry at Barry although Seneca was my nephew but to say that he did not make any mistakes is a slap in the face in light of the criticism aimed at Seneca! The fact that they were once partners makes it even more difficult to understand why Barry didn't recognize him! My last word on this subject is, at the police academy, you are taught to fire your weapon twice, then analyse the situation before continuing to fire. Firing a weapon 6 times is truly intended to kill!

Officer Gordon has been under a microscope? He is still working restricted duty and is not even allowed to work part-time! He was cleared of all wrong doing and the family got a nice chunk of change from the City of Norfolk yet he's still being punished by not being allowed back to his normal duty. Do you not think the officers involved in the Dennis shooting are under a microscope as we speak? The comments left about this article show that they are and will be for awhile. I'm not seeing racism doesn't exist because it does. I've seen it and I've been a victim of it and I'm white. My point is that not everything that happens is a result of racism but that's the first word thrown in cases like these. I do not believe Officer Gordon decided to shoot Darden just because he was black. Nor do I believe the 2 officers shot Dennis Gucci just because he was black. JMO

No one is arguing the fact that the police have a tough job nor that criminals should not carrying or shooting guns in public! The fact of the matter is, minorities are not given the benefit of the doubt thus you see such a high casualty rate, especially among black men! Also, when was the last time we read about a black officer killing anyone in the line of duty? I am sure that many of them faced similar situations here and throughout this nation! The reason is, when a black officer pulls the trigger, he/she knows that they are more likely to be placed under a microscope and than their white counterparts. It's hard for someone who is not a minority to relate to this because they have not experienced the things that we see every day. People get tired of being stereotyped and reading all of these posts with terms such as "thugs, ghetto, baggie-pants, etc, etc. Everyone knows that these are merely terms to refer to blacks! It's hard to "get over" this kind of crap!

I am a former police officer, plain-clothes narcotics & uniformed patrol. I have experienced biased reactions of White officers to the color or dress of minorities. I've even experienced it in the court room. One case, I was standing with the Prosecutor, in front of the Judge, when the judge addressed me as the Defendant. I was dressed in a tailored, subdued, three piece suit. This judge had heard at least a dozen of my cases, prior to this case. I was called racial slurs on at least two occasions by fellow officers, once directly by a White female & once by a superior officer who thought I was out of earshot when he made the comment to a group. In the 1st event, a fellow officer, White, whom I considered a friend, asked me to let it go. The 2nd, the superior officer ordered me to leave the scene, even though I was the 1st officer at the scene of the crime. I've also been pulled for DWB, RWB & even WWB, before, during & since the end of my police career. One needs to admit, all are not always treated the same. Facts, not bitterness. frustrations.

You are in your house, hear gunfire that sounds like it's right outside your neighbors house. You grab your gun and run outside. There is no sound of anyone, or any police sirens. Suddenly someone shouts...you turn towards the voice expecting it to be the shooter...the police shoot you down.

Now you are in a courtroom. You understand that the above scene may have played out, but then again, a black man may have just been angry and wanted to shoot the police. You aren't sure, but you are asked to make a decision on one question... Can you say WITHOUT A REASONABLE DOUBT that the officer before you should go to jail for murder?

No.... Then case dismissed.

OK…How long before Jesse Jackson and “the Rev. Al” put their 2 cents worth of nothing in? I like 60willys insight when he comments on when the next march will be. The truth is in plain sight. You have a moronic fool (sorry-we cannot call this individual a man) that went on a shooting spree. He was playing Jesse James on Halloween night shortly after 11 p.m. Would we feel any different if it were earlier in the evening let’s say about 6:30 when children and their parents were out trick-or-treating?
We love to “march for the cause” and not know really what’s going on. (Jena 6 ring any bells?)
*****Part 1

Your Words..."Nobody desrves to be gunned down in the street like a dog, regardless of race." I kind of get where you are coming from, but, I am compelled to say that I take exception to this comment. The statement would seem to indicate that dogs deserve to be gunned down in the street. I must protest this inhumane treatment of our canine friends. I bet you wouldn't gun the dog down if he was a cat named "Tigerlilly" from Ptown. I also would like to point out that deserve is misspelled, and so is back, unless ack is what you meant. I mean ack is a word, but not a part of anyone's body, regardless of race. I also believe that there is no part of a canine, or even a feline known as an ack, but a bark by some of the smaller species of canine, or a feline with a hairball stuck in its throat could possibly be interpreted with that word to represent the sound emitted.....I guess..

A crime was committed and a person died, "ashes to ashes, dust to dust, bury him and get on the bus. Take a trip to warning other children not to respect the law. You will stay busy for awhile. On the other hand use this as a learning example. Warn these children that crime will not pay. Sure your chances of making a million suck so go on the speaker tour.

....on kennethd's part? A police officer is trained to utilize deadly force not only when he/she is in fear of his/her life but also when he/she IS IN FEAR FOR THE LIFE OF ANOTHER PERSON. Seneca Darden was shot because Officer Gordon was not only in fear of his life but also the lives of the many citizens at the scene when Darden would not put his weapon down when ordered. Gordon did not recognize the man as a fellow Norfolk officer because Darden was in plainclothes with no identifiers visible on his person. He wasn't even supposed to be in that part of the city! That was another tragedy that could've been avoided if Darden had put his weapon down as ordered. Those are the facts and they are undisputed by anyone except the people that tried to turn that into a race issue also. JMO

You are right, you had me until you stated that it is not a crime to point a gun at a police officer. Like you stated, you lost some supporters. Go back and check your Virginia Code books. I swear it is a crime to point a gun at someone (brandishing?) unless, you are in defense of your own life or the life of another citizen. I just think you misquoted yourself. Stay safe "oldhead" if that is you.

James is no saint, and he is not a victim of the police. If he had been serving our country or working at a productive civilian job instead of standing in the street with a gun, there would be no issue today.

The police did not give him the gun he was holding. The police did not give him the values that put him at the other end of the criminal complaint. The police did not give him the poor critical thinking skills that told him not to drop his weapon in the face of police officers. It is his parents who gave him those values and those poor critical thinking skills, and they know have the audacity to march against the government! If they want to educate someone, maybe they could talk to parents about their own shortcomings that brought James to that street holding that gun instead of working a job or spending time with his child.

Take it from someone who taught this guy, he is no martyr and his parents are not innocent victims of the police.

For all of the "cop bashers" out there I encourage you to ride along with an officer. Go to Police HQ in your city, fill out the form and get a first hand look at what these officers are up against. I've done so in Chesapeake and Va Beach and was surprised by what I witnessed. I assure you that you'll have a different opinion of the police after doing so.

Jamahl Miles says it is not against the law to point a gun at a cop. Do not listen to Mr. Miles. He states he is knowledgable in law enforcement, but yet he clearly is not. It is illegal, it is called "Brandishing a Firearm". It is punishable with up to a year in jail and a hefty fine. Believe me, I AM a police officer, and I AM knowledgable in this subject matter. I just wanted to clarify this, and request the pilot to remove his, any any further posts that state is is not against the law to put a gun at the police. THis may confuse people and someone else might get hurt.

Paul Riddick?

Of course it's easy to spot who posted & how many times. The screen name is clearly printed directly under the title of their submission. Also I would like to politely point out, that the way it's written in your post, one may assume that the murder trial you were a jury member on took place in a state capitol, or possibly D.C. I feel that since your name is norfolknative, that it may not be the case at all. Possibly "capital" might be the word you wanted to use, unless of course it was in a capitol district, and was a type of murder other than Capital. On the subject of spelling, I would like to announce that many words are not included in spellcheck, & it sometimes will give a word as an option, that you definitely don't want to use. I don't trust it. ex: Pray/Prey. Try and use those to state your intentions. One way you look religious, the other a predator. If I notice, others will as well. a public service message from contractorva...frequent poster

Earlier I made a comment that didn't make it to print, concerning the model of sunglasses that Mr. Gucci is wearing in the photograph. My girlfriend has told me I may come off as insensitive, but, this man cannot possibly be sensitive to a comment concerning his apparel, since as the story stated, he is no longer among us. So once again I will try to make my point. The sunglasses in the picture (provided by the pilot), may not be Gucci(this word also provided in the Pilot). I felt that since Gucci is a manufacturer of sunglasses, & the moniker of the young man is , that some people may possibly misidentify the sunglasses in the photo. I also politely offered possible alternatives to the maker of the glasses, & the places where they may possibly be purchased..oh well probably out of characters!! Can't write much when you have to include disclaimers!
(cut/paste & save)

Hello to all,
I am a graduate of Old Dominion University. I have a degree in Sociology and majored in Criminal Justice. I am a former probation officer for the City of Chesapeake. I have superfluous knowledge of law enforcement and diversity. I was raised in Philadelphia, attended college in Va, and currently live in Maine.
I am appalled by the some of the ignorant minds of our society. As I read this article, I am not surprised by the outcome of this case nor the ignorance in some of your comments. I fear being a black man just as much as the Police fear armed black men. Why, because my constitutional rights are seldom respected. Is it truly my right to own and conceal a firearm?
In my extensive studies, it's allegedly my constitutional right. It is my right to protect my self. It is not a crime to carry a gun nor is it a crime to point a gun at a police officer. (I know I lost any supporters after that statement). Sure having a gun pointed in your face constitutes danger. I have had several guns pointed in my face for a routine traffic stop. Is it OK for me to kill an officer and claim self defense? Law enforcement Officers are paid and trained to work in the most dangerous

Seneca Darden was shot 6 times when there was NO threat to officer Barry's life! Many people make poor judgements but that does not have to result in the loss of life. Seneca was a good cop and was well respected in that neighborhood. He was not afraid and did not panic under duress like the two officers who used tear gas on the crowd. Also, if he had been the cop at the scene, Gucci would still be alive today because Seneca would only fire his weapon if his life was truly in danger. I have had to deal with hearing all this negative bull aimed at Seneca such as him holding a gun "thug-like" at someone's head yet at the same time threatening fellow officers. My point is this, it is all too common for officers to use the "he pointed the gun at me" excuse when shooting to kill. I support the police department in general but the use of lethal force in this area rivals or exceed that of most major cities in this country. Please explain why this is?

Ryan Frederick: I don't thik anyone is saying that the shooting of an officer in this case was justified. It was a horrible mistake. Very, VERY bad planning and decisions were made in that case to storm his house.

White officer shooting black officer: It was proven that that particular officer wasn't even suppossed to be in the area and mistakenly didn't listen to orders given by another officer in uniform. When dressed like a thug (which he was undercover, so he was suppossed to be), holding a gun at someone, and disregarding orders given by another officer, you're going to get shot. What happened there was a HUGE mistake on everyone's part. But that's all it was, a mistake. If anyone is to blame it's the residents that started that fight in Young Terrace.

"Gucci": Yes,the officers COULD be lieing saying he was pointing the gun at them, however a Grand Jury of citizins of Norfolk has ade a decision and decided not to indict. However, once again, you have to take in all circumstances and maybe Gucci didn't hear the orders given by police, and turned around to see who pulled up and forgot he was holding the gun out. What-ever the case, a young man is dead. We nee

How is it possible to have a racist police department that is bent on exterminating African-Americans when that same department is led by an African-American officer and has many Afican-American officers on the force? Can these men and women really be involved in a genocidal campaign against their people of their own race??
By the way, does every family have a designated apologist for the person killed in these type incidents? Maybe it's just me, but I can't remember the last time a criminal was killed in the act of committing a crime that the family didn't line up and cry that an innocent person had been gunned down. I understand the grief of a tragic loss and the wasting of a young life. We all can regret that, but don't try and suger coat the reality. You must have watched enough TV by now to realize that most of us aren't buying that line anymore.

There are a handful of folks that post the majority of posts, and like Fred Schecker Senior Producer HamptonRoads.com
said, they are easy to spot. If more folks out there would chime in with their 2 cents there would be a broader reach and possibly more varied opinions.

As far as this case is concerned, I have served on a capitol murder jury before. You, as a juror, are presented with evidence and asked to make an informed decision based on what is presented. There was a unanimous decision made that the evidence given clearly exonerated the officers from wrongdoing. It is that simple.
If other evidence was available, maybe a different outcome would be possible.

There is no sense in blaming the police for doing their job, and those in our community who feel otherwise need to take a few minutes and talk to one of our city's officers. They aren't there doing the job because they have to, they are there because they want to be. I have yet to meet an officer that isn't civic minded and interested in helping Norfolk become a safer and better place to live.

It is truly a shame that someone lost their life, others lost a loved one, and at least two Norfolk officers w

(CONTINUED) Teach them to Love not Hate... to take responsiblity for their actions not blame others.. Teach them to be WONDERFUL YOUNG PEOPLE.. then instead of convincing everyone how wonderful they "were" u can stand back and beam with Pride over how wonderful they "are". Raising children in this day and age is not an easy task. If you have chosen to bring children into this world.. take your job seriously... their lives depend on it!