And Again

[Content Note: Police brutality; racism. Video may autoplay at second link.]

Earlier this month, I linked to a piece ("Washington Official Fears 'Another Ferguson' After Cop Shooting Video Goes Viral") about the police killing of Antonio Zambrano-Montes in Pasco, Washington. Despite what the video at the link seems to show, cops say that they tried to use a Taser on Zambrano-Montes, who they say was throwing rocks at them, before shooting at him 17 times, hitting him at least five times.

Now, Zambrano-Montes's family has filed "a $25 million claim against the city of Pasco alleging that three officers killed the unarmed man 'execution style.'"

Zambrano-Montes, a 35-year-old Mexican national, was shot on February 10, in a case that has sparked local protests and anger at what some say is another example of police brutality and excessive force against an unarmed man who is a minority.

...The suit claims Zambrano-Montes was unarmed "with his hands out where they could be seen."

"He had his back to the officers," the claim said. "At this point, the officers started shooting."

At a news conference Wednesday, Kennewick Police Sgt. Ken Lattin told reporters, "We do know this from the preliminary autopsy report, there were no shots in the back."

The Tri-City Special Investigations Unit is still reviewing video to see if there was anything in Zambrano-Montes' hand when he was shot.

When processing the scene that night of the fatal shooting, Sgt. Lattin said at a news briefing, "I think it's safe to say there was a rock found next to his body."

This is the essence of the defense of the officers who killed Zambrano-Montes: "After two officers were struck with rocks—at least one of them as large as a softball—police said the officers resorted to deadly force."

Because obviously the only way to stop a man from throwing rocks—at least one of them as large as a softball!—is to shoot at him seventeen times in the middle of a busy intersection.

I mean, sure, accidentally shooting a bystander was totally a concern, but that's just the chance you've gotta take when they might get hit with a rock. Especially one as large as a softball.

I honestly just don't even know what to say anymore.