This is a story that sounds absolutely horrible on the surface, but it is a bit more complicated than that headline.
After what happened in Uvalde, TX, the actions of the police are under a microscope all over the country.
The initial reports of what happened in Tempe, AZ, are not going to help, but as I said, it is complicated.
Not Helping
This interaction started out innocently enough.
Officers responded to a call of a fight between two individuals and went to investigate.
When police arrived, Sean Bickings, 34, a local homeless man, and his companion denied anything had happened.
The city’s statement read, “When officers arrived, they spoke to Bickings and his companion, who cooperated fully and denied that any physical argument had taken place.
“Neither were being detained for any offense.
“Officers told the couple they were running their names through a database used to check whether people have outstanding arrest warrants; this is a standard procedure.”
The bodycam footage shows the officers having a cordial conversation with the man when he suddenly climbs over the rail and gets into the lake.
The officers warned him, but he kept going in and eventually swam away…
As that video cuts off, an officer tells Bickings to come back to the pylon, but he responds, “I can’t, I can’t.”
Another officer tells him, “Okay, I’m not jumping in after you.”
Not long after that, Bickings went under and never resurfaced.
The city statement explained, “That check had not yet been completed when Bickings decided to slowly climb over a 4-foot metal fence and enter the water.
“Officers informed him swimming is not allowed in the lake.
“He swam about 30-40 yards before repeatedly indicating he was in distress. He soon went under and did not resurface.”
All three of the responding officers have been put on paid leave pending an investigation into the drowning.
I am curious to hear what you guys think about this one.
Were the officers wrong for not jumping in or do you think this man brought about drowning upon himself?
Tell us what you think in the comments section below.
Source: Fox News
