Reader: Wave a Nail Gun at Cops and You Deserve to Get Shot

Our post about the decision by a prosecutor not to charge police officers for the killing of Michael Rodriguez in Greeley last month, we noted that there have been four fatal officer-involved shootings in Weld County over the past eight months. In many quarters, these incidents are considered to be controversial...

By Michael Roberts

February 27, 2015

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Our post about the decision by a prosecutor not to charge police officers for the killing of Michael Rodriguez in Greeley last month, we noted that there have been four fatal officer-involved shootings in Weld County over the past eight months.

In many quarters, these incidents are considered to be controversial

Not so with this reader, who points out that Rodriguez was gunned down after allegedly pointing the nail gun pictured above at law enforcers.

Here's his take.

Darnell24 writes:

None of these deaths are controversial, all of the perps had deadly weapons and threatened or used them against citizens, which I might remind you, cops are also citizens. What were the cops supposed to, ask him in their nicest voice to put the nail gun down? The guy was stupid for waiving a nail gun around, threatening to put a nail in somebody face or body. Funny how I've never waived a weapon around and threatened innocent people with it, and yet here I am, alive without ever being shot.

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts. For more memorable takes, visit our Comment of the Day archive.

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

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.

Contact: Michael Roberts

Follow:

Facebook: 111180895657427

Twitter: @mikerobertscolo