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Loading ...Coroner: Gay man shot by police at San Diego pride “a homicide”
08.26.2008 2:43pm EDT
(San Diego, California) The death of a 37-year old gay man who was shot last month by San Diego Harbor Police during a gay pride-related cruise was been ruled a homicide according to the county coroner’s final report.
But the report also noted that toxicology findings show that Steven Paul Hirschfield had a number of illegal drugs in his system.Hirschfield’s blood showed “the presence of methamphetamine, doxylamine, and trace ketamine in his blood,” according to the report. But, there was no sign of alcohol in the blood.
The official cause of death, however, was listed as a gunshot wound to the chest.
The coroner’s report says that the fatal shot was fired by a “departmentally-issued Glock 40 loaded with issued 0.40 caliber jacketed hollow points.”
“The gunshot wound entrance was on the right midback,” and exited through the right part of his chest the report said.
Hirschfield, 37, of West Hollywood, went overboard during a July 19 pride related cruise in San Diego Harbor.
Harbor Police were notified by the operators of the charter boat and Hirschfield was rescued but reportedly began fighting with officers who pulled him onto their boat.
He allegedly grabbed a Taser from one officer and struck him in the face. Police said he then attempted to take the officer’s handgun.
As the two struggled a second officer shot Hirshfield. He was pronounced dead by paramedics when the police boat docked.
“The police officer who executed Steven Hirschfield shot him from behind,” Brian Claypool, an attorney hired by Hirchfield’s family told KOGO television.
“It is our belief, based on a witness account and information learned through the autopsy performed by the San Diego County coroner, that Mr. Hirschfield was not the aggressor and was not involved in a brawl with police officers prior to being executed by this police officer.”
Hirchfield’s family has filed two claims seeking $20 million dollars from the San Diego Harbor Police.
The suits accuse the officers involved in the shooting of killing Hirschfield without justification.
Both officers have been placed on paid administrative leave while the San Diego Police Department conducts an investigation.
Same ignorance that begets violence. This link is to a blog associated with what I thought was a reputable retailer. It’s gay-bashing all over.
http://www.jrcigarblogs.com/1/2008/08/I-Spy-With-My-Queer-Eye.cfm#comments
Sorry for the interruption.
The probability is that a jury of good citizens will let the police off with a slap on the wrists and then wonder why it happens the next time.
As for the website posted by Gotta Question, the people responsible for it will see violence and the next gay bashed victim and think that they had nothing to do with it happening. The will simply ignore the blood on their hands and tell another anti-gay joke.
There is no KOGO television in San Diego. KOGO is a newsradio station.
Anybody else ever be taught during a first aid life-saving course that a drowning person will often panic and attack a rescuer?
I thought that was, y’know, sorta common knowledge.
And the strong, brave, heterosexual officer’s response to this wild, crazed homo? Shoot him in the back, of course.
It’s the only brave and responsible thing to do when faced with an out-numbered, unarmed, weak crazed pansy, yeah?
Yeah, we all know how dangerous those limp-wristed nancy boys can be. That’s why responsible and courageous straight boys nearly always make sure they are armed and outnumber the weak-sister fag they attack.
Why would the cops be any different?
Shooting a panicked drowning victim in the back. Yeppers. Bet that made his folks proud of him.
I don’t know. If I was a cop and a doped up guy who can’t stand on a boat was grabbing weapons from my partner, I’d probably shot him, in the back. Before we jump to conclusions one side or the other, just stay informed while the coroner and grand jury finish their assessment.