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Shoot First, Ask Questions Later?

Let me break that down for you.

1) 14-years-old
2) shot three times
3) directly in the stomach
4) while attempting suicide
5) with a steak knife
6) standing over twenty feet away.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that shooting is always wrong in and of itself. Certainly, there are circumstances under which officers are fully justified in protecting themselves. But did Rupp really shoot to protect herself in this case? Did she truly perceive a threat to her personal safety? Could her perceived threat from a five-foot tall 14-year-old standing over twenty feet away possibly be reasonable? Is there a reason why her fellow colleagues did not feel a need to shoot?

And that leads me to even more questions: Why did Rupp do it? Perhaps this question is the one that leaves me most perplexed. What could possibly have motivated her? Does she hate young girls? Is she delusional? Was she having a bad day? Was she properly trained? Is she panic-prone?

And now, Anna is charged with the crime of felony assault with a deadly weapon on an officer - a charge that many civil rights groups have contended was brought only to cover-up the mistake of rookie officer Rupp. And, indeed, we are left to wonder: What assault? The one that took place while Anna stood twenty feet away? Deadly weapon? The steak knife that Anna attempted to slit her own wrist with or the gun that nearly did the job for her?

Of course, the district attorney's office has assured us that, if Anna is convicted of the felony, they seek only to place her in a group home. So my questions are these: Why felony assault? Aren't others who have done far worse charged merely with resisting a peace officer? Couldn't we still send Anna to a group home if she is convicted merely of resisting a peace officer? But would a lesser charge of resisting a peace officer be sufficient to justify a negligent shooting? Oh, I get it.

My concerns for Anna: How is she doing in juvenile hall? Has she fully recovered from the three near-fatal shots? What will happen if she is sent to a group home? When will she be reunited with her father? And if she is convicted, isn't it true that she will not be able to seal her criminal record when she turns 18 under Proposition 21?

These questions have not been answered and will likely remain unanswered unless we, the public, demonstrate a strong desire to know. My last questions to you are: Do you care to know the answers? Can you send a 14-year-old to prison without knowing the truth? Will you write a letter to the district attorney? Does justice matter to you?