Friday, January 11, 2019

Ridgeland Darwin Award Attempt Fails

The Ridgeland Police Department released the following statement and video.



January 1, 2019, a Ridgeland Police Department officer was patrolling a local retail area approximately 5:30 pm when he observed a group of three individuals (two of whom were walking and one on a bicycle). As the officer watched the group, he observed one of the individuals raise their arm and it appeared the person was holding a firearm. The officer approached the subjects and as he exited his patrol unit to speak with them, he requested the young male subject display his hands. As the subject was walking toward the officer and this request was made, the individual displayed a black in color handgun. The subject continued 'sweeping' the firearm from the left to the right and pointed the firearm at the officer. Commands were immediately given by the officer for the subject to place the gun on the ground to which the subject complied. The other male individual walking could be seen removing a firearm from his right pants pocket and placing it on the ground. The officer secured the individuals and the person on the bicycle was identified as the sister of one of the male subjects. Identification of the individuals revealed the two male subjects were 16 and 15 years of age. Once the firearms were secured and checked by the responding officers it was determined to be a CO2 powered BB gun.

The officer continued the investigation once the firearms were secured and was able to locate their parents/guardians. The subjects were subsequently released to their parents/guardians and a report of juvenile contact was completed by this department with no criminal charges being filed.

The increase in juveniles carrying firearms, whether a BB gun or pistol, revolver, shotgun, etc., is alarming to the law enforcement community. The complacency and lack of concern by young individuals/groups who feel the necessity to carry an object of this nature without worry of the repercussions for their actions is of great concern. Our country has experienced on too many occasions, the tragedy of loss of life of individuals who possessed or displayed a BB gun in the presence of a law enforcement officer. The officers who serve and protect on the streets of not only our community but across the nation are faced with split second decisions which have long lasting consequences for all parties. The results of this encounter, while in this instance, had a favorable outcome we would be negligent in our commitment to the community and protecting our citizens if we did not offer education on the encounters law enforcement officer face.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's a miracle that ended well. Thanks to the police officers training and nerves of steel, we don't have two dead kids.

Anonymous said...

Boy, I'd love to hear the audio on that video.

Anonymous said...

You are SOOOO racist! Did you ever think he needs that BB gun shaped like a real handgun to protect himself from bunny rabbits and squirrels?

Anonymous said...

BB gun or not, the little prodigies were almost certainly looking for someone to carjack. They look realistic enough it could easily be done. Now they went home, likely received no discipline, and next time will be carrying a real gun. The officer should have shot them. They’ll never be anything more than a drain on society leaching off of the tax payer.

Anonymous said...

Holy hell, that kid is lucky he isn't dead!

The officer deserves props for keeping his cool.

Anonymous said...

kids have always carried BB guns and airsoft guns, this isn't a new phenomenon. It's sad to say that this was a great (not a routine) job by the cops as there was no shooting or any deaths. BUT TO SAY that is a lack of concern for the kids to carry an airsoft gun is appalling. This is the big government/ nanny state/ helicopter parents to the max. I carried and shot airsoft guns with my friends all the time. The fact that we have to consider kids being kids to be threats to the community is absolutely wild and saddening.

Anonymous said...

For the dunce at 3:22...Did you totally miss (or dismiss) the part about the kid moving the firearm in a sweeping motion while pointing it at the officer? How many kids of your generation would have done that? It was at that immediate point that the policemen could have and probably should have discharged his weapon.

John Parker said...

Thank you to the officers involved and how you handled this potentially tragic situation. As a black man, if I was on a jury and saw this video of the kid pulling and pointing a gun at the officer and he had shot the child I would have to vote to acquit the officer as I feel that I would have done the same thing. I feel horrible about it and I vow to follow the Chief's plea and use this as a teachable moment. I commit to teach the young men and women in my life to make smarter, more careful and thoughtful decisions in their lives and how they handle themselves. A shooting is tragic for the shooter and the person shot and their families and friends. I will do within my power to reduce them for both sides. Thank you Officers for what you do and try to do everyday.

Anonymous said...

@3:22

Troll alert !

Anonymous said...

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. If they would have approached another armed person and tried that, it may not have ended well. I wonder when the media and local activists and politicians step up and applaud the good work of the officer or condemn the kids for being stupid? I'll wait.....

Anonymous said...

Agree with all the other posters. People who think guns are cool or that they will somehow make them tough are losers. If a police officer runs into someone walking down the street with a gun, they can't expect to go home alive. Pretty dumb of this officer not to protect himself and shoot these kids as soon as he suspected they may be carrying a firearm.

Anonymous said...

@7:44

If it had been me I would have probably shot the idiot as soon as the gun appeared. Thank goodness this was a veteran officer that has probably seen these kids before and he didn't shoot them. The really sad thing is that if the officer had fired his life would have been forever ruined for taking an action to save his own life. The next idiots that pull a BB or realistic fake pistol will probably not be so lucky. Yes, I'm glad the officer didn't shoot the punks but I would be 100% in support of him if he had. This video should be shown in all schools, elementary to high school, to show other kids just how close these 2 came to getting killed.

Anonymous said...


Officer should retire immediately.

His reflexes and threat assessment skills are way too dull to be on the streets.

Anonymous said...

That kid is lucky to be alive.

Anonymous said...

Very well said, 4:02.

All's well that ends well, but this officer's restraint could have cost him his life.

So many videos just like this one end with an officer down, or dead.

Anonymous said...

That officer is lucky to be alive an he knows it.

Anonymous said...

@8:47 PM - Wrong. The event is analyzed by officers in milliseconds, combined with training, experience, and an officer's "sixth sense."

This could have gone either way and would have fallen within the law and guidelines.

I doubt that you have walked in the officers shoes, Mr. internet cop.

Been there, done that, now retired.

Burke said...

Honors to both 4:02 and 8:04.

Cops are underpaid and just as afraid to die as any of us. Rare is the occasion when we can expect the sort of moral courage displayed by this officer. As 4:02 was brave enough to say, most of us don't have the ability to get past the impulse for self-preservation.

Anonymous said...

It takes courage to avoid the impulse to fire.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.