Four days after a Philadelphia policeman was gunned down by brazen bank robbers, 15 officers dragged 3 black shooting suspects out of their vehicle and beat them with their fists, feet and batons after a slow speed chase. The incident was caught on tape by a FOX news helicopter.
The beatings drew a firestorm of protests from the mothers of the 3 suspects and city officials including the Mayor. “I burst out and cried. I was appalled,” said the mother of one of the suspects after viewing the video.
In the media’s rush for ratings following the incident, very few reporters mentioned the fact that police officers witnessed these guys shoot three men.
Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said undercover officers witnessed the 3 suspects and an unidentified male open fire on three drug dealers on a corner in a drug-infested neighborhood. Ramsey said the three then got back into their car and fled the scene.
One of the shooters escaped on foot, but police – who apparently take the their duty to protect the citizens of Philadelphia seriously – pursued the vehicle knowing the suspects had guns and weren’t afraid to use them.
Like I said, few media outlets are mentioning the shooting – just the aftermath including soundbites of the outraged mothers calling for justice. But where is the justice for the shooting victims? Where are the soundbites from their parents?
Within hours of the beatings, police provided mugshots of the suspects to the media. Minor injuries are visible on two of the suspects. Now let’s see the injuries of their victims – you know, the ones who they shot? Or are the shooting victims insignificant in the media’s race for ratings?
you are really disgusted by this, aren’t you sandra?
Sandra,
I couldn’t agree with you more. You live by the sword you die by the sword. I would like to hear from the family’s of the shooting victims. I am so sick of black on black crime. We escaped slavery only to be imprisoned in our neighborhoods by our people.
damn right right……… dem raz fi get kick-up. big up to di babylon dem.
Do you just post things blindly without fully knowing the whole story…….yes. They were not the shooters, the shooter escpaed and they wanted to question the guys that you have posted above because the arrived on the scene with guy. Sandra, you are the worst ever.
Sandra I get your point. But from watching the clip, the way the cops ran up on the car they sure as hell didn’t look like they were in fear for their lives. What was the reasoning for other cops to be jumping out of their cars when the suspects were already apprehended and start kicking and punching? Now that was totally uncalled for.
yeah Sandra, I am with you on this one. What is the update on the victim. In no way was it ok for the police to be so brutal, but these people committed a crime-at least that is what we are told. The truth is out there somewhere-and it will come to light
I kinda figured this was coming. I was not sure they had shot anyone…one reason I wanted to reserve some judgment. You mentioned Al Sharpton would be all over this, but now I see why he has not had time.
The “victims” and likely their “victims” are wrong and foul. That doesn’t excuse what the police did. All they needed to do was subdue and arrest these idiots. There was no need to jump them ghetto style. The heightened emotions caused by the recent police shooting may explain their actions, but that doesn’t relieve them of liability. These three criminals are going to get a nice piece of change because these officers went overboard. Their commissary is going to be tight!
Don’t people understand how “MOST” cops get down. At least black men should understand. Stop committing crimes and this type of s*** won’t happen to you. Granted, if you were pulled out of a car and beat down or shot up for absolutely no reason, then that is a different story. Still in all, black men need to make better decisions in their lives. I am totally sick of it! Constantly talking about the white man but you give the white man all the more reason to talk the s*** they tend to talk cause it is true..
Unbelievable. These dudes get NO sympathy from me. Next, we’ll be hearing about how they were good upstanding men, fathers to their children, catering to their mothers every whim, active in their local churches blahblahblah and the shooting was just a misunderstanding or not them. Whatever…I am not marching for black folks who can’t control themselves anymore. In MY opinion, they got what they deserved.
I’m sorry, but if someone shoots someone else, that means they are trying to kill them. They’re not trying to scare them when they pull the trigger, they are trying to kill. And when u make that kind of decision, u lose ur rights. The minute u decide to take someone else’s life, why should anyone have any regard for your life? Especially if its on some hood bulls*it & u did it to prove ur manhood. The only justified shooting, in my book, is when u’re protecting urself & ur family. But if u’re shootin someone over some turf or a woman/man, then u need ur ass kicked. These dudes shot someone & could’ve shot the officer approaching the car. So whats the safest thing to do? Draw ur gun & yank them out. Did they have to pound on them? No. But I dont have a bit of sympathy for them.
Sandra,
I understand your point but what about the officer’s first responsibility which is to uphold the law? They are not allowed to become judge, jury and executioner whenever they feel like it. Their job is to stop any immediate threat to the public and to arrest these suspects. This is why we have laws and a justice system in place. I am not saying that we should treat suspects (in any case) with kid gloves during an arrest, but they are entitled to their basic human rights. I am not defending these criminals. They were wrong for committing the crimes they are accused of, but the cops were wrong for using excessive force and two wrongs don’t make a right.
they should have beat them down…just not on camera
NYCutie & Fatblkboy, I co-sign 100%… I stuck my neck out for my ppl and they continue to act like savages and kill one another
they should’ve just arrested the suspects…they had no business beating the guys they way they did…how the hell do you miss a helicopter hovering over your head? i can understand the officers being upset, however that doesn’t excuse their reckless behavior…this incident has turned into a spectacle, which is very unfornuate…
I’m wondering why you are still surprised. Media twists everything.
bloggergirlz how the hell do you miss a helicopter hovering over your head? i can understand.
I wondered that from the first second I read it.
I agree with Sandra on this.
And if you watch the vid at least the cops were nice enough not to release that dog–LOL!!!
Fido was ready to rip in that ass ya dig.
I have no pity for those three fools. They got exactly what they deserved.
LOL@ brwnsugga4you!! You’re right. They should done it in the privacy and comfort of those jail cells.
Not saying that the police were right, but there’s a such thing as karma. Those three men deserved that a** whooping and if their mothers would have given them a good a** whooping when they were little, they probably wouldn’t be in the situation they’re in now.
The force was unnecessary and that type of situation always happens when one in blue takes a fall. They could have just tasered them and left it at that, however because of the way things WERE handled..the “victims” will not get the full justice as carried out by the law they deserve. We’re getting close to election time people..watch the politics play its part
@ anna:
maybe they thought it was one of their own (assuming they have police-copters in philly)…although at least one person should’ve noticed the big a$$ news logo (which i’m sure existed)…
i understand everyone’s anger, but two wrongs don’t make it right…there are too many people who are forced into confessions, by being tortured, beaten, etc. at the hands of the cops…if the cops witnessed the shooting, it’s safe to say the guys would’ve been convicted w/ no problem…
parents can’t even whip their bad a$$ kids these days and people want to ride w/ these cops??? please…
I wonder if people would be so sympathetic to criminals if they were the ones violated or if it was their mothers/sister/father/child/brother/aunt/uncle that was shot…. Let TeeTee from the block shoot ur uncle & flee, lets see how u would want the police to handle it
“The beatings drew a firestorm of protests from the mothers of the 3 suspects and city officials including the Mayor. “I burst out and cried. I was appalled,” said the mother of one of the suspects after viewing the video.”
hey MOTHER – maybe if you had beat his ass a long time ago, the police wouldn’t have to. let’s be appalled about that!
Sandra the news in philly is reporting that guys that were beaten were not the shooters. There were actually four of them and the one that got away was the shooter.What the police did was not right. Incidents happen like this everyday in philly it just so happen that the fox 29 helicopter was flying overheard to record it.
I 100% agree with everyone including Sandra who expresses disgust for these 3 blood-thirsty scum of the earth.
I am Black and do not tolerate crime or criminals, especially the violent kind. No excuses, no blaming the system, no blaming the White man, no blaming police of any color in this case. These 3 if indeed they shot up someone or attempted to then they’re a disgrace to the community.
Forgive my Swahili but…these mofos deserve to get faaaaaked up like they did & more.
Oh, I forgot, bring them here & I will kick, stomp & punch the black out of them. Their mothers should have taught them better.
We can’t be cheering on and hoping for the best for Barack & any other minority working hard to make a difference while these 3 try to get air time with their ignorance. Throw them under the jail…and kick their butts again & again.
MOCHAMOMMY Says:
I wonder if people would be so sympathetic to criminals if they were the ones violated or if it was their mothers/sister/father/child/brother/aunt/uncle that was shot…. Let TeeTee from the block shoot ur uncle & flee, lets see how u would want the police to handle it
————————————————————————-
Wrong is wrong point blank period. If they (the suspects) shot and killed someone then yes, I agree they should be brought to justice and serve what ever time they will be given. But the police did not have to drag them out the car the way they did. The way the cops ran up to the car IMO appears that they weren’t scared for their lives in the least bit. They ran up on that car with the intentions on whooping some ass. Then you have guys jumping out of cars after the suspects were in custody punching, kicking and beating the crap out someone please tell me how the hell can that be justified..The cops beating those suspects is now over-shawdoing the fact that someone was shot.
@NYCUTIE black men need to make better decisions in their lives. I am totally sick of it! Constantly talking about the white man but you give the white man all the more reason to talk the s*** they tend to talk cause it is true..
The white man does not even have to do much to break/wear a brotha down. Genicide is right here in our own neighborhoods. Black on black crime makes me literally sick. Back in the day to prove your manhood you did man up. You took care of your responsibilities. You got a job, you paid your bills. You were not fighting over stupid materialistic stuff. The problem is noone fights fair anymore. What happened to a good ole fashion fist fight. Everyone is bigger and badder than the next person and ppl have to have pistols and AK47’s. The black community is at war with each other.
According to the mayor quoted in usatoday, “Undercover narcotic officers were watching a corner were drugs were being sold *where the SHOOTING VICTIMS were minding their own business* when they witnessed a car pull up and four men get out. They saw one of the young men shoot 3 people and then flee on foot, while the other three got back into the car and fled the scene; according to the mayor, even though they witnessed the actual SHOOTER flee on foot they followed the car, *which was later found gun free*.
They never gave them a chance to surrender before beating them, even though they had witnessed the actual shooter flee on foot, they still beat the other three suspects. Don’t get me wrong, the three suspects that were already known to the cops, as not the acutal shooters, were in the wrong, because you couldn’t pay me to believe they didn’t know what was getting ready to go down when they got out of the car but since the cops knew that the shooter was NOT in that car, I don’t understand why the excessive force. (sp)
since the beating was captured on camera we wont know the truth about what happened before they were stopped. the police didn’t draw guns and slowly approach the car. they rushed the car and then opened up a can of whop ass. i keep asking myself, if they did shoot someone and it was my family member that they shot, i would probably want to join in on the beating. but in reality, they, the police have standards and codes of conduct that must be followed. they f’ed up big time.
What do you mean once again the criminals become the victim? It seems weird the way you phrase that considering the article following this is the one on Sean bells fiance. Was he also a criminal who became the victim? I’m just asking. I havent watched the video. I even opted to turn when my local news showed it. Ive seen it all before. No matter what the guys did, the law enforcement officers have pledged to act in a lawful manner. Bottom line. If were not allowed to take the law into our own hands neither should they. There is a way to go about everything. Example being that young woman on the train hoopin and hollering at that older woman. Everyones talking about what they would have did if they were there. I would have whooped her as_, I would have done this. Yeah yeah yeah, as much as it pains me to watch that video it doesnt change the fact that had I been there and hit that girl Id be in jail on felony charges. The same goes for everybody else. Including the cops. Its written in stone how we are supposed to act/react in certain situations, and if you act outside of the box then you have to face the consequences. Unfortunately many of these cops seem like they think they are above the law. And thats why this is a problem. If you feel like they were justified now, then be consistent. According to the cops they thought Sean bell had a weapon. So going on some of your statements they were very much justified to do what they did. Shoot now ask latter. If tats your position then fine you’re entitled, but don’t cry foul when its your cousin, lover, or brother on the receiving in. Don’t cry foul when its a clergy man on the receiving in. An innocent child on the receiving in. Just because there is evidence that these guys were breaking the law, doesnt justify the beating. Just as it wouldn’t justify the beating of someone who is suspicious of breaking the law. Because when it turns out that they weren’t breaking the law ie Sean not having a gun, the cops still get off. Why wouldn’t they get off? If they have a right when there is proof, why wouldn’t they have that same right when they suspect that there is proof…That’s just my opinion. And of course we’re all entitled. I would like to add though it’s not uncommon for women to have a nonchalance about situations like this. Although statistics show that minorities dominate when it comes to being pulled over, having their tags run, being harassed, and being cited by officers,,,,those same statistics show that men outnumber women by large numbers. Minority men are much more likely to have had prior experience with harassment than minority women. So yeah if you’ve never been in that situation before or if you’ve never been in a situation that could lead to an even bigger situation like being dragged out and beat by officers,,,,then yes I can understand why you would be less likely to have sympathy. Or be less likely to demand that everything is done in a lawful manner. Again I just hope you feel the same when it hits close to home. If not then you’re fos, phoney, wishy washy, and all that jazz.lol
For everyone that thinks this beating was ok and what the suspects deserve, we have to understand that people have rights in this country. As a result of this “justified” beating officers WILL be fired and these three men will get PAID. Please believe they done hit the lottery.
For those that think the men are innocent because none of them pulled the trigger, that is incorrect. They are accessories to the shooting at the very least. The driver is damn near as guilty as the shooter in the eyes of the law.
There are laws in this country and the police are supposed to enforce them, not act as vigilantes. Furthermore do you really think they were avenging the victims who were likely drug dealers themselves? There is just no way to justify the beating.
They look too stupid to even know how to invest the money if they did get paid. They will probably go out and buy up liquor and weed and get caught *ahem* Jena 6. Get thrown in jail and end up owing millions in attorney and court fees, all b/c of a “roach” in the ashtray of an unregistered vehicle and driving a car with a back tail light out while under license suspension.
for all who states that those men had “rights” I say to you WAKE UP! criminals thrive on the sympathy of those who would excuse their action over PERCEIVED rights. True the cops went a little too far, but thats just apart of the consequences of them shooting someone and getting caught. It pains me that most black men feel that they are not responsible for THEIR actions do someone else’s. They got their @$$ kicked and they deserved it. case closed. now the police do need to held accountable as well.
bk2atl Says:
Sandra,
I understand your point but what about the officer’s first responsibility which is to uphold the law?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As far as I’m concerned the police upheld the law. They witnessed a violent crime being committed in front of them and they courageously chased those hoodrats down to protect the public. What if one of those stray bullets hit a child?
brenden:
I am more concerned with the innocent bystanders who could have been hurt or killed by these lawless thugs. What if the cops weren’t there to witness the shooting? It would have been another random unsolved black-on-black crime – and apparently that’s fine with you.
SANDRA, when you’re down on the ground, nobody is suppose to get stomp by a-hole police who suppose to uphold the law, they’re don’t the law! you you’re out your car with no gun in hand, laid out on the ground, face first, and still get stomp! no sandra there no justice in that! so yes, the crimials are the victim because of those a-hole police SANDRA! but becuase of people like you sandra, the po-po will be hero, just like the a-holes who shot SEAN BELL, who didn’t have a weapon, but was killed because the ones who suppose to uphold the law, took the law into their own hands!
THERE ARE A LOT OF MIXED MESSAGES BEING PASSED AROUND HERE. YES THE MEN WERE WRONG FOR BEING INVOLVED IN A SHOOTING….BUT HOW CAN YOU POINT FINGERS AT SOMEONE WITHOUT KNOWING THE ENTIRE TRUTH………..THE ARTICLE STATES THAT THE GUY WHO DID THE SHOOTING FLED ON FOOT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SHOOTING………..JUST A QUICK QUESTION………IF THE POLICE OFFICE THAT WAS WATCHING WHAT HAPPENED SEEN THE SHOOTER FLEE ON FOOT WHY DA F*CK WOULD U CHASE 3 UNARMED MEN WHO DIDN’T PULL THE TRIGGER INSTEAD OF GOING STR8 AFTER THE BAIT ON FOOT…I MEAN THE OFFICER WAS IN A CAR RIGHT………IN NO WAY DO I JUSTIFY WHAT HAPPENED WITH THESE MEN BEING INVOLVED IN A SHOOTING………AND TO THE PEOPLE SAYING THEY KNEW WHAT WAS GOING DOWN..WERE U THERE.PLEASE FELL ME IN………….WE DON’T KNOW THE WHOLE TRUTH TO THIS STORY BUT U CAN’T RUN AWAY FROM A VIDEO……….THESE OFFICERS WALKED STR8 TO THE CAR DRAGGED THESE MEN OUT AND BEAT THE HOLY MACARONI OUT OF THEM……..I THOUGHT IT WAS APPROACH THE CAR WITH GUNS DRAWN, AND IF THE SUSPECTS RESIST OR YOU FEEL THREATENED USE EXCESSIVE FORCE…………….NOT USE EXCESSIVE FORCE IMMEDIATELY……….AND TO THE ONES SAYING MAYBE THIS WILL STOP THE CRIME RATE…HOW ABOUT MAYBE IT’LL MAKE THE CRIME RATE HIGHER……..PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE EVEN LESS RESPECT FOR COPS NOW…………AND IF THEY FEEL AS THOUGH THE COPS WILL NOT HESITATE TO KILL THEM WHY THINK TWICE ABOUT KILLING THE COPS
LETS JUST WAIT UNTIL THE STORY UNFOLDS
Sandra, I dont usually address u or agree, but this time, u have my vote!! What if a baby was outside playing & was hit in the head? What would the proper punishment for that be? Time in jail? No, sometimes capital punishment is the only proper punishment.
Sandra, no one is saying these guys were guilt-free, but the fact is in this country you are innocent until proven guilty, not the other way around. The police had already caught the men, they were down on the ground. I’m sure the victims’ families were happy to see these men being beaten, but that doesn’t make it right. If they were resisting arrest or attacked the officers, that would be different.
First of all until this thing goes to trial and these dudes are convicted then IT IS ALLEGED THAT THE POLICE WITNESSED THOSE THREE MEN COMMIT THAT CRIME. Just like it was alleged that they heard someone say out of Sean Bell’s camp that they were going to the car to get their gun. I prefer to reserve judgement until the FACTS come out. Regardless of that though, if the police were serving justice right then and there then what is the point of those dudes going to trial and facing their accusers before a jury of their peers? Furthermore, why start beating them AS SOON AS YOU DRAG THEM FROM THE VEHICLE? There didn’t appear to be any struggle from the men. Lastly, we do not live in a vigilante society so if those cops want to take out they frustration then they need to head to Gotham City or Metropolis. U never see them do that to the white collar criminals and they are more deserving in my opinion.
Sandra,
Thank you for allowing people to make their points about this situation. I respect all the opinions of those who think what the cops did was wrong. However, I hear it DAILY from my family about the crime in the area and I still believe that Philly thugs, in particular need a wake up call. Keep your behind out of trouble and get a job. If you don’t these types of things may happen to you. PERIOD!
I understand both sides…. Just an after-thought, why wasnt John Cooey beat like this??? He kidnapped, raped and buried a little girl alive… Just wondering
Black people need to stop taking up for fellow black people when they have done wrong! If these men were at home with their baby’s momma(you know they have one or a couple) this wouldn’t have happened to them. Whether they or weren’t the ones that committed the crime, they were there when it happened so that goes to show that they were up to NO GOOD to begin with. While I understand the frustration people are feeling towards the beating the cops delivered to these thugs, I don’t feel sorry for the so called victims. Back in the days, many a people have witnessed a person getting beat down and stomped out and there wasn’t a problem then. Stop taking up for people who bring problems onto themselves!!
Those cops need to be fired and the VICTIMS of that beatdown need to get paid…. now the dirt they commited if they were involved in that shooting they needed to be arrested just not like that! Do yall think that is the first time those cops acted like cowboys chasing robbers? I think not! They just got caught this time. Sandra you are wrong,do you know history from the 60s and 70s when cops used to beat us and use dogs and waterhoses on our people? If these officers are not fired it will send a message to other police that its ok, and commit those acts of racism all over again as did the aquittals in the Sean Bell case did may he RIP. Also do you think a revolution will not happen if these white officers keep beating down black people? The result will be riots and backlash and more violence. Cops are suppose to uphold laws not hand out judgements. Im scared everytime me or one of my black loved ones get pulled over because you never know what type of cowboy cop you may encounter.
Sandra that’s fine. I think I expressed my view fairly thoroughly. I’m not about to start hurling insults back and forth. God bless.
so we the people are saying its ok in this case for the police to stomp them in the ground? is that what we saying. so now we need a whole new scale. yes its okay for police to beat down folks in this case but not ok in another case.. . gtoh
LovelyLady
I said nobody could pay ME to believe that the other 3 men in the car did not know what was going to happen, when they went to the scene and got out of the car. I say that because according to the online news this was quoted “Police said the Monday night shooting was apparent retaliation for a murder Sunday night in the same neighborhood”. Then again I could be wrong maybe their intentions were to only go and talk to the three shooting victims and they had no clue the fourth suspect was going to pull out a gun and alledgedly retaliate. I suppose everyone’s story may differ though so who knows who is telling the truth and what really went on?
No matter the details, the cops were wrong. They are to uphold the law, not act as judge, jury, and executioner. A video is worth a thousand words.
I dont agee, like Goliano said, its not up to the officers to act as judge, jury, and executioner.
Now should the victims be freed from all their charges because the reason for them shooting the officer’s is because they feared for their live’s. Do you think that will stand in court for these 3 bank robber’s….No because they are not police and only police officer’s are protected by the law under these circumstances. Police are killing innocent people all the time but as long as they say “they feared for their live’s” they are not being punished. I am noy saying it was ok for the robber’s to shoot the oficer’s, but the offic’s did not have to beat the crap out of them in public like that and why did it take 5 ofiicers per each man. they were cowards for that.
I wonder if they are going to stick to the “stop snitching” code this time.
I dont give a damn what they did. The cops had no business beating them down like that. I dont agree with what they did in any way but the cops were wrong point blank simple.
Sorry ahead of time. Wanted to share this. Some kids turn out the way they do by circumstances, being a follower bad seed etc, etc. This is where it all starts-
Look at these mind blowing statistics:
3 in 10 girls will experience at least one pregnancy before reaching age 20.
Each year the federal government alone spends $40 billion to help families that began with a teenage birth.
Only 41% of teenage mothers graduate from high school and only 1.5% will earn a college degree by age 30.
Nearly 80% of unmarried teen mothers end up on welfare.
The sons of teenage mothers are 13% more likely to end up in prison, the daughters are 22 % more likely to become teen mothers themselves.
Nearly 80% of fathers of babies born to teen mothers do not marry their babies mothers.
I am with you on this one Sandra..
Some of us like to pick and choose when justice is relevant and what justice really is. If these a$$holes would have been about decent business, they wouldn’t have gotten their a$$es beat on national TV. The fact that their parents have the audacity to be on television offering anything other than perhaps an apology for their misfits is beyond my understanding.
Black people stand up, really. Sean Bell’s killing is a national tragedy. This BS here is a demonstartion of the emerging black tragedy!
and another thing..how many of us woould be whole heartedly shamed if we got caught on tape whooping our children, or lashing out in frustaration at someone who repeatedly annoyed ar aggravated us?
My point is this I WOULD NEVER BE A COP. This due to the fact that it is a thankless job. The cops are only called when adults lose control and need to be dealt with period. How many of us would attempt to protect others and always have to sort out others’ mess day in and day out. And let’s not forget that some of us who call them when we need help will then disrespect them on a dime if they don’t go along or agree with us.
Most of us would implode if we had to deal with the same disrespectful, violent BS that law enforcement officers deal with. Walk a YEAR in the shoes of an average cop in a grimey unrepentant inner city and then see how many times you have the urge to snatch a thug up and beat their a$$.
Well there is a saying that goes “you do dirt you get dirt” these cops were probably frustrated and their “force” just went a little to far…was it justified? If these cops feared for their lives, yes. If these men were comitting a crime(s), yes. These is another saying that goes..When your in the wrong place doing the wrong things then bad things are boud to happen to you..hence a “beatdown” fron the police…so in this case JUSTIFIED case closed…..
Hanging out on the streets and around crooked people and leading police chases kinda leads you into that type of ass beating by the cops.
Somebody needs to let that “gully” 7-year old boy see what happens when “want to do hoodrat stuff with your friends”. This is quite possibly the end result. They lucky they came out alive………..this time.
Did you really do your research on this SR? If you view the police report which is available to to a bona fide journalist you would know that these VICTIMS who was pounced on by these rouge cops denied these citizen’s a right to a fair adjudication of their case just by beating them senseless and then posting their mugshots all over the news criminalizing them even further. There were never any weapons found in their possession and since when is it police procedure to kick and stomp people of color or anyone for that matter because they fit the description of suspects leaving the scene of a crime? I guess they abuse citizens of London that way huh?
if these niggas shot somebody Im glad they got Rodney King-ed