Details were still sketchy, but people have already formed an opinion about Tuesday night’s fatal incident in Philipsburg. An off-duty police officer shot and killed one of four suspects during a robbery attempt at a local casino.
Most seemed satisfied that the armed bandit had been killed in the act, as this should serve as a deterrent to others. Some wondered whether a shootout inside the crowded establishment that also injured two more persons had been worth it.
Police indicated that the robbers shot first before the officer returned fire. An investigation will have to determine exactly what happened in this case.
It was suggested that the cop could have waited until the attackers left the building before confronting them. That’s easy to say after the fact, especially not knowing the precise circumstances.
The officer might have feared employees or customers were at serious risk of being shot and wounded or worse. Authorities are trained to make those types of split-second judgement calls.
One cannot reasonably expect law enforcement officials carrying their service weapons to sit idly by either as innocent bystanders are being threatened by unscrupulous gunmen. If the community’s “last line of defence” shies away from fighting these criminals, there will be little hope of stopping them left.
The jury is clearly still out on this matter, but the prevailing sentiment appears to be admiration that this officer at least stood up for the society he swore to serve and protect.
