September 15th, 2013
02:19 AM ET

Man apparently seeking help killed by police

Police in North Carolina shot and killed a man running toward them Saturday morning - but he may have just been looking for help.

Officers responded to a 911 call of a suspicious man outside a woman's home in Charlotte.

The man had been knocking on her door repeatedly.

Police say that when they got there, a man matching the caller's description ran toward them.

One of the officers pulled out his stun gun, but it malfunctioned. Another officer then opened fire, police said.

Jonathan Ferrell died at the scene. He was shot several times.

He was unarmed.

Police now believe Ferrell was seeking assistance after crashing his car.

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Filed under: Crime • U.S.
soundoff (40 Responses)
  1. banasy©

    One stun gun between the three of them? And did they they bother to say anything like "halt?"

    September 15, 2013 at 12:45 pm | Report abuse |
  2. saywhat

    Its about Police acting in a manner which resulted in the death of an innocent man seeking their help. And that needs to be addressed.
    No point in dragging race into the issue.

    September 15, 2013 at 12:48 pm | Report abuse |
  3. chrissy

    Lmao @ BOMBO, you wouldn't happen to be race baiting, now would you? Lol just teasin ya.

    September 15, 2013 at 12:55 pm | Report abuse |
  4. saywhat

    Yes@banasy.
    It does seem to us non-law enforcement folks that a bunch of armed police could and should act more responsibly with collected wits in such situations. Experts would know better.

    September 15, 2013 at 1:04 pm | Report abuse |
  5. saywhat

    Good afternoon all.
    Yes@banasy.
    It does seem to us non-law enforcement folks that a bunch of armed police could and should act more responsibly with collected wits in such situations. Experts would know better.

    September 15, 2013 at 1:05 pm | Report abuse |
  6. soullfire

    Was he wearing a hoodie since there may be an "unwritten" law down south that normal rules of engagement don't apply to those wearing hoodies. Or maybe it also includes those who "look" like they could or would wear a hoodie as well.

    September 15, 2013 at 2:07 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Joey Isotta-Fraschini ©™

    Mr. Ferrell may have been in shock after his car accident, or otherwise impaired. However, from my childhood training in respecting others' personal space, I would not run ("charge") toward a stranger, especially not a (probably-armed) policeman, without making clear my motivation for rushing. I might call, "help, Officer."
    Cultural differences, not racism, may account for much of this confusion.

    September 15, 2013 at 4:35 pm | Report abuse |
    • AM

      He was likely loaded up with PCP or bath salts. Who charges a police officer? Seriously.

      September 15, 2013 at 5:07 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      Poorly-trained policemen may be another. Faulty equipment may be another. In any case, the man is dead, and dead men tell no tales.
      A well-placed "Halt!" May have avoided this tragedy as well. We only have the officers word, don't we?

      September 15, 2013 at 5:10 pm | Report abuse |
  8. AM

    Extra, extra! White police officer shoots unarmed black man. Clearly must be racially motivated! It couldn't be that the guy was on PCP or bath salts and a threat to officers!

    September 15, 2013 at 5:11 pm | Report abuse |
  9. chrissy

    Lol i seriously DOUBT he "charged" at the police. More likely they were using elaborate words to somehow justify their lack of appropriate behavior!

    September 15, 2013 at 5:43 pm | Report abuse |
  10. hmmmm

    It's not surprising, race might have played a part. We don't need to dismiss the notion without investigating it. Facts are, a man was shot and killed by police and he was unarmed. I don't care what scenario or possibility you want to use here....point blank, THIS SHOULD NEVER happen.

    September 15, 2013 at 5:44 pm | Report abuse |
  11. chrissy

    In other words they screwed up big and since hes dead and cant defend his self lets try and make it look like it was his own fault! Typical!

    September 15, 2013 at 5:47 pm | Report abuse |
  12. chrissy

    @ AM, clearly there is absolutely no evidence supporting your theory that he was "on" anything! In fact the only thing the VICTIM did do is what most of us would do if we needed help and that is "he ran TOWARDS police officers!"

    September 15, 2013 at 7:24 pm | Report abuse |
  13. Charlottean

    Schutzstaffel.

    September 15, 2013 at 7:53 pm | Report abuse |
    • Heinrich

      Wishful thinking. If they would have won, western civilization would not be in its present lamentable situation. Sieg Heil!

      September 16, 2013 at 6:48 pm | Report abuse |
  14. Hamsta

    To many trigger happy cops in this nation, and people want to take guns away from common citizens? I say take the guns away from the police FIRSt.

    September 16, 2013 at 4:40 pm | Report abuse |
  15. 2 Cents

    Because people who knock are clearly out to kill you.

    October 8, 2013 at 11:54 pm | Report abuse |
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