Readers Debate: Was Jessie Hernandez Police Shooting Reasonable or Unjustified?

Hundreds upon hundreds of comments poured in after the publication of our post about sixteen-year-old Jessie Hernandez, a young woman who was killed by Denver police officers as she drove a stolen car. Readers disagreed passionately about whether the shooting was reasonable or unjustified. Here's a couple of examples, followed...

By Michael Roberts

February 2, 2015

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Hundreds upon hundreds of comments poured in after the publication of our post about sixteen-year-old Jessie Hernandez, a young woman who was killed by Denver police officers as she drove a stolen car. Readers disagreed passionately about whether the shooting was reasonable or unjustified. Here's a couple of examples, followed by a comment elegant in its simplicity.

Art Way Jr. writes:

You sheep are why we are dealing with police unable to handle situations no better than the so called "thugs" and "criminals" y'all sheep are always claiming deserve to die. Demand better of your civil servants, is the only training these civil servants receive is to kill. Are the tax dollars used any other way?

Jennifer Jamieson writes:

Had she gotten away and hit someone else, you'd probably be complaining that they hadn't shot. Give the police a break for doing their jobs.

Lynn Garcia writes:

Prayers to her family.

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

For more memorable takes, visit our Comment of the Day archive.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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