Many Americans are aware that urban police have a reputation for being trigger happy and corrupt. This is especially true in California, where cases of unarmed citizen gunned down by militarized police forces is a common occurrence. The murder of unarmed Oscar Grant in a San Francisco Bay Area BART station comes to mind , as does the murder of Donald P. Scott, who was killed in his home while surrendering his weapon in a marijuana-growing investigation and arrest.
After three unarmed Californians were nearly killed this week by members of the Los Angeles Police Department, who opened fire before determining whether they were suspected murderer Chris Dorner, Los Angeles area residents are now pleading with the police to not shot them.
On February 8, officers with the LAPD opened fire at two Hispanic women, ages 47 and 71, who were delivering newspapers in the early morning hours when their vehicle was mistaken for Dorner’s pickup truck. Hours later, police in nearby Torrance aimed at a similar vehicle being driven by David Perdue, a white male who had been questioned by authorities moments earlier regarding his automobile.
“I don’t want to use the word buffoonery but it really is unbridled police lawlessness,” Perdue’s attorney, Robert Sheahen, told the Los Angeles Times. “These people need training and they need restraint.”
In light of the shootings, some merchandisers are sending a strong message to the police. “Don’t Shoot, I’m Not Chris Dorner” bumper stickers and t-shirts have popped up on the Web while investigators intensify their manhunt for Dorner.
Homemade items have also been spotted across LA, including hand-drawn signs placed on pickup trucks that may or may not easily be mistaken for Dorner’s. But for those that lack the enthusiasm and ingenuity to do-it-themselves, “Don’t Shoot, I’m Not Dorner” window decals are retailing on the online auction house for around $12. Those with more elaborate plans might need to increase their PayPal balance, though: a series of domain names relating to Mr. Dorner and the LAPD-led manhunt for him are being offered on eBay for $5,000 each.
Dorner, a 33 year-old former Los Angeles Police Department officer and US Navy reservist, is alleged to have gone on a revenge killing spree for being retaliated against for whistle-blowing on corrupt and racist LAPD officials. He has been charged in the February 7 killing of Riverside, CA Officer Michael Crain and is wanted in connection with a string of related crimes. Authorities also believe he may be linked to a February 3 double-murder in nearby Irvine, but Dorner has managed to elude police in the days since.