The police department's spokesperson said he didn't know whether officers heard witnesses yelling that the man was deaf and couldn't hear the officers' commands.
Things to remember about the victim in this shooting:
- he was Hispanic
- he was seen trying to sign at the officers to explain what was going on
- he had no criminal record whatsoever
- neighbors reported that he always carried the “weapon” police felt threatened by, a pipe, because of the stray dogs in the area
- he showed no sign of understanding the officers’ verbal warnings not to get any closer, and it’s likely that he was advancing in order to read their lips
- he is the 712th death in police shootings this year alone
As a lifeguard, I was expected to know basic sign language in case any deaf clients came to us for help. Why the fuck are fucking police not required to have the same training, or at least be expected to entertain the thought that deaf people exist? -V
