Teenager With Schizophrenia, Allegedly Shot, Killed By Officer - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 01-08-2014, 01:28 AM

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/0...6pLid%3D427708

Keith Vidal, Teenager With Schizophrenia, Allegedly Shot, Killed By Officer

A North Carolina teenager suffering from a schizophrenic episode was shot and killed by an officer only seconds after arriving on the scene, the man's parents say.

Now, as the State Bureau of Investigation probes the case, an officer has been placed on paid administrative leave.

The parents of Keith Vidal, 18, called authorities Sunday afternoon to help restrain their mentally ill son. The teen's stepfather, Mark Wilsey, said his stepson was holding a small screwdriver and threatening his mother during a schizophrenic episode, according to NBC News.

Two officers arrived on the scene, and were able to calm the boy, Wilsey said. According to a Brunswick County police report obtained by WECT, the officer told dispatchers several times that everything was OK.

When a third officer arrived on the scene 14 minutes later, the situation turned deadly.

The victim's family claims that while the teenager was on the ground after being Tased multiple times, an officer said "We don't have time for this," before shooting in between two other officers and hitting the teen, according to WBTW.

According to the report, the officer who fired the shot had only been on the scene for 70 seconds before taking the shot. The officer radioed to dispatchers that he had to fire shots in order to defend himself.

"There was no reason to shoot this kid," Wilsey said. "They killed my son in cold blood. We called for help and they killed my son."

At a news conference held by Chief Jerry Dove of the Southport Police Department, Vidal's family showed up carrying signs, demanding justice for the death of their son.

The family said they were not invited to the news conference.

Chief Dove said Det. Byron Vassey, a nine-year veteran of the department, was placed on paid administrative leave. Dove declined to say whether Vassey was the officer who fired the shot.

Vidal's parents said the teenager had just turn 18, and weighed about 90 pounds.

They said their daughter had recently died in a car accident, and this is the second child they will now have to bury.

Why did they shoot my son?" the teen's mother asked. "This is what's wrong with our mental health system."

Neighbors said that although Vidal had a history of depression along with his schizophrenia, he was not harmful to others.

According to his Facebook page, Vidal was set to graduate High School in the spring. He had also recently obtained a driver's license.

Zoneboy · 01-08-2014, 02:02 AM

If the 2 Officers already on the scene radioed that they had the situation under control then when why did the 3rd one arrive? He most-likely had his radio on and heard their message so why didn't he back-off? The boy weighed less than 100 pounds and from what I've read posed no threat after being subdued so why this gung-ho defender of law and order had to stick his nose into it is beyond me.

Janice · 01-08-2014, 03:39 AM

I hope there's more to this story than the one that's laid out in the article. If it happened as described, that cop is one cold-blooded killer. I kinda doubt that a police officer would toss away his career like that; makes no sense. Why was he even there since the other officers called in to report that everything was under control. I'll be interested to know how this story unfolds.

Zoneboy · 01-08-2014, 03:41 AM

Agreed, it will be interesting to see how all this unfolds.

Dr. Jazz · 01-08-2014, 03:42 PM

Details of this incident aside - whenever officers are on scene of a disturbance in progress, it is not uncommon at all for other officers to remain en route even after the officers on scene have everything under control. I'm speaking from my own personal experience over the years. We consider it "safety in numbers."

Lee · 01-08-2014, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Jazz

Details of this incident aside - whenever officers are on scene of a disturbance in progress, it is not uncommon at all for other officers to remain en route even after the officers on scene have everything under control. I'm speaking from my own personal experience over the years. We consider it "safety in numbers."

Yes, but according to the facts at hand so far, it appears that this was a
case that went far beyond "safety in numbers" and became a case of a
seemingly overzealous Police Officer acting like Dirty Harry. It this is indeed the case, I would certainly hope you would not condone or support a fellow Police Officer like this. On the other hand, this incident could have had more to it than what the family reported and the family could be making false accusations against said Officer. We will have to let this play out.

01-08-2014, 01:28 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Teenager With Schizophrenia, Allegedly Shot, Killed By Officer http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/0...6pLid%3D427708 Keith Vidal, Teenager With Schizophrenia, Allegedly Shot, Killed By Officer A North Carolina teenager suffering from a schizophrenic episode was shot and killed by an officer only seconds after arriving on the scene, the man's parents say. Now, as the State Bureau of Investigation probes the case, an officer has been placed on paid administrative leave. The parents of Keith Vidal, 18, called authorities Sunday afternoon to help restrain their mentally ill son. The teen's stepfather, Mark Wilsey, said his stepson was holding a small screwdriver and threatening his mother during a schizophrenic episode, according to NBC News. Two officers arrived on the scene, and were able to calm the boy, Wilsey said. According to a Brunswick County police report obtained by WECT, the officer told dispatchers several times that everything was OK. When a third officer arrived on the scene 14 minutes later, the situation turned deadly. The victim's family claims that while the teenager was on the ground after being Tased multiple times, an officer said "We don't have time for this," before shooting in between two other officers and hitting the teen, according to WBTW. According to the report, the officer who fired the shot had only been on the scene for 70 seconds before taking the shot. The officer radioed to dispatchers that he had to fire shots in order to defend himself. "There was no reason to shoot this kid," Wilsey said. "They killed my son in cold blood. We called for help and they killed my son." At a news conference held by Chief Jerry Dove of the Southport Police Department, Vidal's family showed up carrying signs, demanding justice for the death of their son. The family said they were not invited to the news conference. Chief Dove said Det. Byron Vassey, a nine-year veteran of the department, was placed on paid administrative leave. Dove declined to say whether Vassey was the officer who fired the shot. Vidal's parents said the teenager had just turn 18, and weighed about 90 pounds. They said their daughter had recently died in a car accident, and this is the second child they will now have to bury. Why did they shoot my son?" the teen's mother asked. "This is what's wrong with our mental health system." Neighbors said that although Vidal had a history of depression along with his schizophrenia, he was not harmful to others. According to his Facebook page, Vidal was set to graduate High School in the spring. He had also recently obtained a driver's license.

01-08-2014, 02:02 AM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,459	If the 2 Officers already on the scene radioed that they had the situation under control then when why did the 3rd one arrive? He most-likely had his radio on and heard their message so why didn't he back-off? The boy weighed less than 100 pounds and from what I've read posed no threat after being subdued so why this gung-ho defender of law and order had to stick his nose into it is beyond me.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads. Last edited by Zoneboy; 01-08-2014 at 04:22 PM.

01-08-2014, 03:39 AM	#3
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I hope there's more to this story than the one that's laid out in the article. If it happened as described, that cop is one cold-blooded killer. I kinda doubt that a police officer would toss away his career like that; makes no sense. Why was he even there since the other officers called in to report that everything was under control. I'll be interested to know how this story unfolds.

01-08-2014, 03:41 AM	#4
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,459	Agreed, it will be interesting to see how all this unfolds.

01-08-2014, 03:42 PM	#5
Dr. Jazz The Evil Empire. . . . Forum Star Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Posts: 11,102	Details of this incident aside - whenever officers are on scene of a disturbance in progress, it is not uncommon at all for other officers to remain en route even after the officers on scene have everything under control. I'm speaking from my own personal experience over the years. We consider it "safety in numbers."