Yes, an actual Police Chief said that.
In St. Petersburg Florida, a suspect reportedly asked to get shot, then fired a shot into a bystander's arm and into an officers leg. Which apparently justified the cops shooting to kill "so they could go home."
Goodner was known to officers, Holloway said, having been involuntarily committed twice in 2011. He had also been previously arrested for aggravated battery, the chief said.
On Sunday, Goodner made a comment to four people "about their sexual orientation" at near a pool near the city's downtown, Holloway said. Goodner then rode away on his bike, and officers said he confronted another man on a bike. He fired one shot and hit the man in the arm, police said.
When did it become an option for the police to simply kill someone because the police are tired of the situation. Once upon a time, officers understood that getting a little hurt or getting home late for supper occasionally was a part of their job. That to "serve and protect" meant asking questions first, trying to diffuse situations prior to shooting.
Goodner raised the weapon at the officers, and that's when they shot him, officials said. Holloway said Goodner returned fire and struck 40-year-old officer Michael Cordiviola in the leg. The officer was dragged away from the scene by a fellow policeman and used a nearby hose as a tourniquet.
Holloway said Goodner yelled, "Go ahead and kill me" to the officers as the shootout occurred.
From this it sounds like he didn't shoot at the officers until they were already firing at him. And he asked to be killed. And he's been committed before. Doesn't this sound more like a situation where a negotiator should come in and talk to him, instead of just opening fire?
"A suspect shot at my officers, and they returned fire so they could go home," St. Petersburg police Chief Anthony Holloway said Monday at a news conference.