Shoot First, Ask Questions Later...or Not at All

Early Sunday morning, police in Inglewood, California, gunned down two unarmed men, killing one and wounding the other in the leg. According to reports, two officers heard gunshots while on patrol and responded. They saw a man run from the scene, get into a car, and drive toward them. They claim to have heard more shots and felt something hit their patrol car. That's when they fired on the approaching vehicle.

During the subsequent press conference, Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks mustered up as much compassion as anyone could expect from an agent of the state: "I am very sorry. My condolences go out to the family. ... If it turns out that the Inglewood Police Department could do something better, you can rest assured we would." A little late for that, isn't it?

The officers, of course, escaped without injury. That's understandable, since the patrol car in which they were riding showed no signs of being struck by gunfire.

The incident is far from being resolved. Call me cynical, but I'm waiting for the official report to claim that the officers opened fire because they believed the "suspects" were trying to run them down.