I saw this yesterday, that Gardai shot dead George Nkencho an Irishman of Nigerian origin after a long standoff.
The events will be clearer over the next few days and an investigation by that Garda ombudsman will take place shortly to determine whether the Gardai acted appropriate or not.
This is the timeline of the events:
- Nkencho went into the the Spar in Hartstown, where he punched the manager in the face and then brandished a knife...it's unclear if he then robbed the place or did he have some kind of vendetta against the staff there or the shop. The manager is in hospital.
- He then went over to the Post Office part of the shop where it's believed he tried to assault staff working there.
- He left the shop followed by 12 unarmed Gardai, all trying at some point to persuade Nkencho to drop the knife, but at any attempt to approach him was met with Nkencho slashing his knife at the Gardai. Pepper spray was used but ineffective. A Taser gun was an option but I don't think it was used due to Nkencho's thick clothing rendering it ineffective.
- The armed response unit was called and by this time Nkencho was in his front garden, his family in the house. After more failed attempts to get him to drop the knife had failed, the armed unit fired. All in all, about 6 shots were fired, 3 hitting Nkencho.
- His family have criticized the way it was handled asking why he wasn't shot in the legs first.
One wonders if this will inspire a BLM march in the way George Floyd did in Dublin.
The events will be clearer over the next few days and an investigation by that Garda ombudsman will take place shortly to determine whether the Gardai acted appropriate or not.
This is the timeline of the events:
- Nkencho went into the the Spar in Hartstown, where he punched the manager in the face and then brandished a knife...it's unclear if he then robbed the place or did he have some kind of vendetta against the staff there or the shop. The manager is in hospital.
- He then went over to the Post Office part of the shop where it's believed he tried to assault staff working there.
- He left the shop followed by 12 unarmed Gardai, all trying at some point to persuade Nkencho to drop the knife, but at any attempt to approach him was met with Nkencho slashing his knife at the Gardai. Pepper spray was used but ineffective. A Taser gun was an option but I don't think it was used due to Nkencho's thick clothing rendering it ineffective.
- The armed response unit was called and by this time Nkencho was in his front garden, his family in the house. After more failed attempts to get him to drop the knife had failed, the armed unit fired. All in all, about 6 shots were fired, 3 hitting Nkencho.
- His family have criticized the way it was handled asking why he wasn't shot in the legs first.
One wonders if this will inspire a BLM march in the way George Floyd did in Dublin.