Tuesday 9 June 2015

Nine frames that show Eric Casebolt did not draw his gun in self defense

This graphic showing stills purporting to show Eric Casebolt drawing his gun in self defense on unarmed teens has been doing the rounds on social media among those who want to defend aggressive police action against black people in the USA. 

1 -

 



The problem with the sequence is that some blatant cherry picking has gone on, and some very loose interpretation. Here is a more detailed view.


1 -

Teen (NOT 'Man') Approaches the scene to remonstrate with Casebolt. Let us concede for the sake of argument that that he has assumed the shooting stance and Casebolt MAY have seen this and interpreted it as a threat.

2 - 

Casebolt turns to face the teen more fully who is not no longer in a 'shooting stance although his left hand is concealed from Casebolt.


3 - 

At this point Casebolt is so concerned that he is going to be shot by this kid who he apparently believes has got a concealed weapon that he looks away and says something to Dajerria Becton. You will notice he still hasn't reached for his gun. But the teens hand which was previously concealed is now in full view of Casebolt should he be concerned enough to check it.

4 - 

Casebolt now returns his gaze to these teenage boys and starts to reach for his gun. BUT as we can see here the teen previously thought to be in a 'shooting stance' is now no longer in that position and his hands a clearly visible and he is obviously not holding a gun.

5 -

The teens back away. It is now very clear they have NO weapon at all. Casebolt steps forward still reaching for his gun. It is clear that the teens are not a threat. The are backing off and given what we know about the outcome of these kinds of interactions between police and young black men they know that they may be in mortal danger.

6 - 

The teens turn to run for their lives having done nothing more than remonstrate with Casebolt. Casebolts weapon is now out of his holster and he is going after them. He knows they have no weapon.

7

Casebolt starts to assume a shooting position. The boys must now really think that they are running for their lives.

8 -

The boys have fled. Casebolt's weapon is still drawn.

9 -


Casebolt returns to harangue Becton who now is faced with a worked up police officer with a drawn weapon standing over her.