Here is a tragedy no matter which view you take…
(Story from Fox News Online)
ATLANTA �?? A police official said narcotics officers were justified in returning fire on a 92-year-old woman they shot to death after she shot them as they tried to serve a warrant at her house.
Neighbors and relatives said it was a case of mistaken identity. But police said the woman, identified as Kathryn Johnston, was the only resident in the house at the time and had lived there for about 17 years.
Assistant Chief Alan Dreher said the officers had a legal warrant and “knocked and announced” before they forced open the door. He said they were justified in shooting once they were fired upon.
Ms. Johnson put bullets into three officers when she opened fire. All were hit around the edges and will survive.
Here were officers, trying to do their job, when ’someone’ starts spraying lead. Of course they returned fire! Who wouldn’t? I know I would.
Here we have an old woman, perhaps with not the best hearing, perhaps not in the best health, and some bunch of men suddenly break down her door and storm into her house. She may have not known them to be police. Of course she fired on her attackers! Who wouldn’t? I know I would.
The question is going to be what will Atlanta do? Will the citizens see this for the horrid tragedy it is and seek means of making sure it never happens again – or – will the city sink into racial violence and a never-ending blame-game?
Let us all try for the first and pray against the latter.
Bull, out.
