Bad: KC police fire at backfiring van

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/11/12...#ixzz15Hy6b0kj

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KC police fire at backfiring van

Two Kansas City police officers who thought they were being shot at from inside a van returned fire Thursday night.

Only later did police realize that the van was actually backfiring and the man inside was not armed. He was not injured by the shots fired by police.

Windows of the police car were apparently shot out by the officers as they exited the patrol car.

The officers were dispatched on a report of shots being fired from a white van just before 6 p.m. Thursday on Gregory Boulevard near Interstate 435.

When the officers got to the area they saw a white van parked on Gregory and pulled up near it. As they were getting out of the patrol car they heard the backfiring and fired their weapons. Police are continuing to investigate the incident.

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Not sure if this should be here or in "Humor." I can just imagine how the story would read if he had been an armed CCW holder. Even with an unfired (since cleaning) gun, it would take more than a news cycle for the cops to sort that one out. I'm glad nobody was hurt. I just hope it's the two cops and not the taxpayers, that have to pay for new windows in the patrol car.

I am glad no one way hurt. It sounded like a couple of Barney Fife's.

Always know your target?:redface:

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Originally Posted by retsupt99

Always know your target?:redface:

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No kidding...

A number of circumstances coming together to create an undesirable result.
Two officers responding to a "shots fired" call with a specific vehicle identified as the source of the shots. They respond to near the vehicle and hear what they believe to be shots as they are exiting their vehicle and return fire.
Mistakes were made, but far from what I would call a Barney Fife action.

That could have got ugly! I was at the bank in 1970, going to withdraw some money out of the ATM. There were some kids in the woods a short distance away setting off "Ash Cans" (1/4 sticks of dynamite). As I hit the pavement, I realized what it was, and started to get up, there was another individual close by in the parking lot who was also getting up. I asked him if he'd been in Vietnam and he stated just got back, I'd been back for about a month.

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Originally Posted by Hiram25

That could have got ugly! I was at the bank in 1970, going to withdraw some money out of the ATM. There were some kids in the woods a short distance away setting off "Ash Cans" (1/4 sticks of dynamite). As I hit the pavement, I realized what it was, and started to get up, there was another individual close by in the parking lot who was also getting up. I asked him if he'd been in Vietnam and he stated just got back, I'd been back for about a month.

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Life was more fun when kids could set off ash cans without going to jail.

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Originally Posted by Hopyard

Life was more fun when kids could set off ash cans without going to jail.

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Yep, they can't have any fun now days! I can't remember how many beers we had dumped on us when I was growing up. The only good thing, I grew up and got to be the one dumping it out. Today, they are not given a whole lot of flexibility in their decision making.

This could have ended very, very badly.

Hiram25, I totaly understand the getting up off the ground, had a little episode with that a long time ago....Welcome home brother.....

What happened to knowing your target before you shoot? These two officers shot at nothing in particular, shooting out their own windshield to start. They're lucky they didn't shoot each other. If this were two civilians doing this, the ridicule would be off the charts. Sleep well, KC, you're well defended.

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Originally Posted by Guantes

Mistakes were made, but far from what I would call a Barney Fife action.

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I think he was referring to shooting out their own windows.

Holy Charlie Foxtrot

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Originally Posted by Hiram25

I was at the bank in 1970, going to withdraw some money out of the ATM.

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I was 3 years old in 1970. The first time I saw an ATM was around 1980. I was going to call you out on using an ATM in 1970 but I found this:

First ATM machine debuted in 1969.

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-h...s-for-business

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Originally Posted by Herknav

I think he was referring to shooting out their own windows.

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I wasn't sure if "she" (I think) was referring to just the windows or the whole incident.

I have seen older vehicles (befor converters) backfire and the buildup of fuel in the exhaust system causes a flash out the exhaust pipe.
Picture this. The officers arrive on the "shots fired" call with the van identified as the source. They obs the veh and as they are exiting thier unit, their attention is momentarily diverted to where they are stepping so they don't fall on their butts. They hear the backfire and peripherally see the flash, but not sufficiently to see that it is from the exhaust pipe. Believing they are under fire, they duck behind the doors and return fire through the rolled up windows, oops. Just a possible explaination.