Charlotte Police Shooting: At Least Two Accounts--Respond Responsibly

Being truthful always in a loving way (to paraphrase part of Ephesians 4:15) is one of the most important things we can do, as I see it. In my opinion, this is true always.

At least two very different accounts exist of a shooting that occurred in Charlotte, North Carolina earlier this week.

One version states that a white police officer shot an unarmed and disabled African-American man holding a book who was waiting to pick up a child from school.

Another version states that an African-American officer shot an armed man who refused to drop his weapon.

I would love to know the truth and hope the true story will be discovered and disclosed. I hope the police will release video of the incident soon.

But regardless of which story is true (and both may be at least a bit true for all I know), it is horrible that looting, shooting, etc., occurred afterward. That is not the way to respond. Stealing and damaging the property of innocent persons and shooting or otherwise injuring others is not the right way to respond. This seems like madness.

Looting and violence against innocent persons seems to often occur in response to perceived injustices. Pent-up emotions seem to released inappropriately. The best way to prevent this might be to raise up children properly, treat everyone fairly, and to address minor problems before they become major ones. Unfortunately, in our imperfect world that doesn't happen. But I am confident we can do better than we do now.

I strongly support the right of persons to protest peacefully and responsibly. And I'm sorry that the acts of some in Charlotte may reflect poorly on all those who protested peacefully and responsibly.

If the police account of events in Charlotte is wrong, corrective action needs to be taken. And even if it wasn't, corrective action needs to be taken in cases where police abuses have occurred. 

Indeed, we need to allow and encourage persons to report injustices and to take actions to investigate and correct them when they are reported. Please, let's all seek to do so, quickly, fairly, and responsibly.