[McBain II]

Originally Posted by MountainMen

Yea, either that robber was really good at dodging bullets, or those police had terrible aim.

Go look at the crime scene photos. I know that you are once again commenting on something you don't understand, but the effective range of a handgun is about 25 yards max, generally speaking. Now add in trying to shoot at a moving target.

There's your explanation.

[todd00]

I don't think any of us have seen the video from the store, as I doubt that has been released. And none of us were there and witnessed the incident firsthand. So no real point in debating the issue. I still don't see this as a win given an innocent man was killed. While being close to dangerous situations can be deadly, still OPD is responsible for assuring the safety of the cops people. I don't think this looks good for OPD, no matter how people want to term it. I didn't even know that show was still on. Personally, I always hated it, cops always mugging for the camera, that's just how people can be when they become the center of attention and the camera is on them. I was a cop years ago and I would have never wanted to be apart of it. But I know others that would have eaten it up. And those are the kind they often pick.

I think all cops should be wearing body cams. It would be so helpful to have a clear record in these incidents. There is always so much emotion and rush to judgement in shootings. It would help to weed out frivolous lawsuits and also help keep overzealous cops in check. In the Ferguson incident it would have told the story with a factual video of the confrontation. People can't much argue that.

[Huckleberry3911948]

the fatal mistake of many robbers is that they think the police will run away if they shoot. some people watch TV too much. many urban poor are legends in their own minds.

[MountainMen]

Originally Posted by Bosco55David

the effective range of a handgun is about 25 yards max, generally speaking. Now add in trying to shoot at a moving target.
.

The Glock handgun lists the effective range at 55 yards (165 feet), which is about 3 times the maximum length inside a Wendy's building. But, from the accounts given, the robber left through the same door that the police entered, on the east side, so they couldn't have been more than a few yards away.

[McBain II]

Originally Posted by MountainMen

The Glock handgun lists the effective range at 55 yards (165 feet),

Wrong. Those claims are from third party parts vendors (the same ones you found on the Wiki page, I'm betting).

This is also further proof that you like to comment on things you do not understand. This is an excellent read on how "maximum effective range" is actually calculated. As you can see, it's not a number that is practical to law enforcement in an urban setting.

Can somebody explain maximum effective & maximum range in layman's terms? - THR

Thus, the maximum "practical" range with any standard, semi automatic handgun is about 25-30 yards as I previously mentioned. This standard is well established within the shooting community. On an anecdotal note, I have a Glock 21 (one of two weapons OPD officers may carry) and even with a match grade barrel and trigger upgrades, I can only get accurate and consistent hits out to about 60 yards. Anything beyond that starts to get questionable. And I've been shooting my whole life.

which is about 3 times the maximum length inside a Wendy's building. But, from the accounts given, the robber left through the same door that the police entered, on the east side, so they couldn't have been more than a few yards away.

Yes. Originally it appeared that the cops were outside and fired at the robber as he attempted to leave the Wendy's. We now know they entered, the robber pointed his weapon at them while attempting to flee and was shot and killed.

At that range, the accuracy point is moot. Clearly, the officers were on point with their shots because the robber was so gravely wounded he collapsed and died a few feet from the door.

[Meemur]

This is so sad. The "Cops" show is also filming over here in Des Moines this summer, and this incident has been on our news and discussed here, as well. It may have an impact on whether the film crews will be allowed back next time.

[Gunluvver2]

Newsflash! A bullet that leaves the muzzle of a gun barrel at 1,400 feet per second is capable of travelling close to a mile or more (depending on ballistic conditions). If the bullet hits a human in a vulnerable area the possibility of death or injury is pretty high. Don't confuse accuracy with lethality.
GL2