Guns v. Knives

When law enforcement shoots someone armed with a firearm, there is rarely any question that using deadly force was reasonable. But when law enforcement shoots and kills a woman armed with a hunting knife, admittedly after TASERs failed, I doubt their competence.

Officers shot and killed a woman who was holding a large, hunting-style knife at an intersection in downtown Denver on Sunday, police said.

Officers used a Taser on the woman twice but she began advancing toward them as they tried to back up from her, Denver police Chief Ron Thomas said a news conference near the scene. Three officers fired at her, he said.

The shooting will be investigated and the results will be sent to prosecutors to decide if the shooting was lawful, he said.

“My belief is that the officers perceived a significant threat and responded to that threat,” Thomas said.

The shooting happened near Triangle Park at the intersection of Lawrence Street and Broadway. Thomas said a Denver Park Ranger was among the first to call and report the woman was in the intersection around 11:45 a.m. Sunday.

From the Colorado Sun.