Girl fired shots, aimed at officers, Norfolk police say

Seems to me that talking with someone on a phone to try and get them to leave a barricaded position, and then firing numerous tear gas canisters into that position are two viable nonlethal options. Why did the police have to enter the position? What would the lynch mob have to say if the story reflected that an individual died from asphyxiation by tear gas after refusing to come out? They would blame the police for not entering the home and removing her from the contaminated environment.

Submitted by marym63204 on Fri, 08/15/2008 at 9:03 pm.
So *every* time someone disputes a police account, you believe that person, no matter *what* their prior credibility might be? Do you know what the word "gullible" means? Cheers, MGM

Didn't really understand which side you were comming from. If you meant one should look at the credibility of those complaining about a police action, then I have to agree with you. If the record of poilce shootings are reviewed, most have been justified. I don't remember any that the officers involved have not been hung by the lynch mobs that pop up everytime something like this happens. Each and every shooting is investigated by police, and then other authorities if needed. Believe me, under threat of being sued, non of these cities will cover up a bad shooting.

Don't have 17 year old children shooting at police or anyone else. It's really that simple!

I am glad Sister jasmyne spoke the truth. The amount of bullets entered her body 9 to be exact did not constitute that there were any chance of bring her out alive. Those who were there know the facts, but because of a biased media that always uphold Norfolk police as they did in the numerous deaths of Blue-on-Black murder victims in Hampton Roads, the amount of time the officers allowed no one in the house nor did they move the body showed signs of police-cover-up. The public should be aware thathere are racist avenues in all police departments and they do not evaporate when some prominent Blacks agree with the police reports and not look at the real truth. of all of tyhe Black persons killed by Norfolk Police. all have been justifiable even when there is evidence to support a conviction of use of excessive deadly force.

As a former officer of the law, (with numerous relatives, as police, federal agents, & judges, also), I know that police work is difficult & often under appreciated. Yet I am aware, that, there have been times in which officers have not made the right or best decisions, when in actual or potential conflict. There are, early, contrary, statements, made by all parties involved. This isn't unusual. Let the investigation be thoroughly done, with full disclosure. Any one doubting the need for this, should remember cases such as the shooting, 57 times, of an unarmed son of a former local,(Hampton Roads), judge, by Maryland police. He was handcuffed,(hands behind back), after being patted down,(he was only wearing swim trunks), in the backseat of the patrol car. The officers, after a so-called investigation, were cleared.

Being a police dipatcher for over 20 years and the wife of a police officer, I must say I'm proud of every police officer who stands behind that badge and all the dispatchers that help them make it back home to their own families at the end of each shift. All of you who believe this is a racial issue and those who believe there is always some hidden adjenda behind police motives are the same ones who call the on the police for everything from a simple larceny to repeated domestic abuse! I will say this as a reminder to ALL parents in this world...the cure to crime begins in the high chair, not in the electric chair!
It starts when they are infants, not when they are 17 years old. Obviously, even Mr. Carlos Howard understands that.

So *every* time someone disputes a police account, you believe that person, no matter *what* their prior credibility might be? Do you know what the word "gullible" means? Cheers, MGM

Throughout Hampton Roads we must live in fear of the blood thirsty law enforcement officers that the cities hire to protect us. Time and time again as in this story, we read of people being shot by the police even though they were not capable of harming anyone. In the August 9 story about the Va Bch officer who was shot and killed, a neighbor said he didn't feel the shooter was capable of doing such a thing because he was kind and played with neighborhood kids. Does anyone question who the guilty parties were when the Va Bch officer gave his life. It's kind of crazy how people have come to think someone else is always to blame for the bad or good things we bring upon ourselves. I realize that all police officers are not good, just as I realize they are not all bad as well. I also can not recall a shooting in Norfolk where police were involved that it wasn't twisted to be there fault.

"Enough said at this time."

So who made you the moderator?

"everyone else should want to know"

I couldn't care less.

but it is of the utmost importance to find out where our youth are getting guns from. If we every want to put a dent in juvenile crime we need to address this problem along with many others. The fact that I ask the qustion over and over as you claim, which is a fact, I do want to know and everyone else should want to know also. How you feel about this is up to you and your opinion will not stop me from asking that same question over and over. Enough said at this time.

You're exactly right when you describe my statement as an exaggeration. I was using an hyperbole, which, according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is: n. A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect. My point was that you were adding nothing new to the discussion by continuing to re-ask the same question over, and over, and over again. From where the guns are coming is not as relevant as determining what screw went loose and why which allowed this girl to do what she did. Rural America is awash with firearms yet there has been no comparable uptick in gun violence. There is something else going on in society that is causing this nonsense. Guns have always been part of America but the recent increase in gun violence is relatively new, and this is the problem for which we should be seeking a solution. I couldn't care less if you own a gun, but I care very much if you point it at me. Similarly, if you don't have a gun but are intent on doing me harm, you'll find a way. Getting stabbed with a butcher knife is no more attractive to me than getting shot.

But it wasn't posted every hour as you stated which was an exaggeration, as usual. You do not have to agree with my opinion, and I don't expect you to, but I believe it is completely revelant to determine where these juveniles get these guns from. It is my opinion it will help resolve some of the gun violence if we held the gun owner accountable for the juveniles actions. Good grief!

So sorry you don't understand hyperbole. And actually, you asked the question Mon, 08/11/2008 at 7:37 pm, Tue, 08/12/2008 at 1:23 pm, Tue, 08/12/2008 at 4:28 pm, Tue, 08/12/2008 at 6:46 pm, and Wed, 08/13/2008 at 8:16 am. That would be five times on the same message board, somehow expecting the reporter to respond to your badgering.

If they wanted to, my family members, two of whom are under the age of 17, would be able to get their hands on several firearms. Because I take the rearing of my children seriously, however, not one has done so. The availability of a firearm is no more a cause of violence or lawlessness than the availability of a nail gun or butcher knife. If this girl were intent on mischief, she would have found another way. I say again, where she got the gun is immaterial. Why she went off the deep end is the pertinent question.

"At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter. She seems to have pointed it at the police; how she got it is immaterial."

I've asked the question of where the gun came from twice and not every hour either, and in my opinion until we get a handle on where teens are getting these guns there is no way to put an end to it. There is nothing "immaterial" about it..

the person who claims to be a sister....I am having trouble understanding part of what you said "...they cut Tameika’s phone line. Took my cell phone." why would they take a sister's cell phone?

I pray for both sides; this is a tough situation.

Someone here seems obsessed with how this girl got her hands on a gun, posting this question every few hours.

At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter. She seems to have pointed it at the police; how she got it is immaterial.

The police didn't have to shoot to kill????? Face reality, polie are not trained to "wound," if they are faced with a Deadly Threat, then obviously "Deadly Force" is justified. There is no such thing as a "Bullet Proof Vest, Shield Etc.," Only Bullet Resistent!!!! Many types of bullets will penetrate armor. Ever heard of "Cop KIller Bullets?" It is a total shame that it had to come to this after the police were so patient and exhausted other means to peacefully end this situation. I totally feel for the family and prayers go out to them. No office wants to kill anyone much less a 17 yr old girl. DO NOT blame the officers, they did not create this situation and did not randomly pick her out to shoot!!! Deadly situations only invite the possibility of violence or death in response! A sad but true fact! She had the gun, she fired shots and she pointed at officers! Thats the facts! The detective in Chesape

"At 17 the gun was not legally hers." True. However, a 17 year old can legally use a gun. They cannot own a handgun, but they can use someone else's. That is perfectly legal.

Where or where, did she get the gun?

Mary touched on something. It was an apartment. Other people were placed in danger. Sure, she was upset and the family may have been able to talk her down. I don't think it is fair to blame police considering it was a gun being used in proximity to others. I truly feel for the poster who wrote saying it was their sister. I truly do. You cannot train to determine what someone will be able to do with a gun. It's simply to easy to kill w/o much effort. I am no cheerleader for forceful police action but if I was coming through that door I cannot say I would not have fired at someone holding a gun. In karate we learned that you have once chance to remove a deadly weapon before your action to disarm turns against you. Our retrospect does not help us. Nearly every poster on here would consider being in this situation a do or die scenario. It does bother me that the story has changed so much but we need to let the facts in th