The thing that is not being mentioned is that the man supposedly had a license to carry a conceal firearm. According to abcchicago.com, who interviewed his neighbors said he not only had a license, but he wasn’t doing anything wrong. Which brings me to the questions I have about the shooting in the first place. Why was he stopped by the police officers? The police officers who shot him said he was “exhibiting characteristics of an armed person,” which was shared via Twitter by Chicago Police Department’s chief communications officer, Anthony Guglielmi.
My second question is, what are those “characteristics” that a person displays that exhibits that he or she may be “armed?” That part has not been explained by the police department. Next, it was stated through the police chief Fred Waller that Mr. Augustus was “flailing and swinging” at the officers and tried to escape, and also appeared to reach for his weapon. Why would he try to escape if he was reaching for his weapon. I read on social media that Harith Augustus was shot in his back. That would follow the theory that he was trying to escape as opposed to reach for his weapon.
Keep in mind, everything is muddled right now. All the facts are not in and police are saying that the incident was captured on video by the officers bodycam. What I do know is that a community is upset and frustrated from all the murders committed by police officers. Protests occurred on the street and lasted yesterday evening up until late night. Just recently there was a massive protest in Chicago to bring awareness against gun violence. I wonder if they took in consideration the violence caused by the Chicago Police when they were protesting?
I couldn’t see what started this, but there was another huge escalation. People started running away as officers and protestors fought through the fence. People are throwing glass bottles at the police. At least three people pulled into a police car. pic.twitter.com/22lqpopJbs
— Nader Issa (@NaderDIssa) July 15, 2018
The situation just severely escalated when Chicago Police officers moved their line forward. An argument started and officers hit protesters with batons, and protesters returned punches. I haven’t seen a police shooting scene this tense since the Laquon McDonald video release. pic.twitter.com/T7tymDLpGT
— Nader Issa (@NaderDIssa) July 15, 2018
I had my press badge held up in one hand and my phone in the other while I was saying “I’m a reporter.” Two Chicago Police officers repeatedly pushed me, then smacked my phone out of my hand and threw me back. I lost my balance but can’t remember if I hit the ground or not. pic.twitter.com/vhi4gjlNla
— Nader Issa (@NaderDIssa) July 15, 2018