Witnesses: Utah Police Killed A Black Man Who Was Running Away
Evidence suggests a 22-year-old black man was running away from police when he was fatally shot.
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Darrien Hunt attracted police attention Wednesday morning outside Saratoga Springs when he allegedly began walking around with a samurai sword. His family later described the sword as a “harmless 3-foot souvenir sword with a rounded edge” purchased at a gift shop, the AP reports.
Hunt was reportedly shot at least four times and died on the street outside a Panda Express restaurant.
Police initially claimed they shot him after he “brandished the sword and lunged toward the officers with the sword,” Utah County Chief Deputy Attorney Tim Taylor told reporters.
[su_r_sky_ad]But Hunt’s mother—and some witnesses—say otherwise.
“They killed my son because he’s black. No white boy with a little sword would they shoot while he’s running away,” Susan Hunt told the Deseret Times. “Those stupid cops thought they had to murder over a toy. This is my baby. This is my family. And they ruined my family.”
The LA Times reports:
According to [Salt Lake City attorney Randall K.] Edwards, an independent autopsy conducted Saturday at the behest of Hunt’s family showed Hunt had been shot “numerous times,” none from the front.
“This is consistent with statements made by witnesses on the scene, who report that Darrien was shot to death while running away from the police,” Edwards said in a statement provided to the Los Angeles Times on Sunday.
edmeyer_able September 15th, 2014 at 7:53 am
WTF, I guess this is the new norm now, black man with anything in his hand…shoot first. smdh.
Carla Akins September 15th, 2014 at 8:18 am
He has to have something in his hand?
edmeyer_able September 15th, 2014 at 8:19 am
Probably not…..
Tommy6860 September 15th, 2014 at 8:19 am
:'( I can’t imagine what the victim’s family is going through, but this has to stop. There’s something really wrong with the direction this country is going, and it doesn’t seem to be forward.
Khary A September 15th, 2014 at 9:55 am
I’m a little torn on this one as I am an avid sword collector and user and also as a black man. As a member of both parties I am aware of the threat perceived by seeing a blade as large as a katana wielded around. It’s why I use them as home defense, the immediate fear of being stuck with one. When I do take the weapon outside I always keep it wrapped in it’s transport bag just because I am aware of it’s imposing nature. If I were a cop and saw anyone with a sword out I would be wary indeed. That being said should this man been gunned down from behind? No. Should he have been stopped for questioning? Yes. Why? Because even a blunted sword is still a very effective weapon. If this was a failed attempt at an open carry status it was definitely not handled in the correct way by the cops or Mr. Hunt. The cops should have been able to find another way to stop this man without resorting to lethal force and Mr. Hunt should have understood he is a black man in America today IN Utah no less brandishing a sword. This isn’t a statement that black men need to watch their step, but more that black men need to be aware that ther are factions of the populous that would not hesitate to kill them and until that situation is remedied then caution around armed, and i’ll say it…white people is the prescription of the day.
edmeyer_able September 15th, 2014 at 3:55 pm
It’s been reported he had some developmental issues.
Khary A September 15th, 2014 at 4:13 pm
wow…I’ve never had a comment killed before..Oh LL you cut me to the quick. and I was actually being pleasant. 🙁
mea_mark September 15th, 2014 at 5:36 pm
I heard that also. I wonder if that is why he ran, he thought they were going to take his toy sword away. Even the police are saying they would of handled it differently if they had known. Still though, shooting someone in the back running away, very wrong.
whatthe46 September 15th, 2014 at 5:58 pm
then maybe this should be a lesson to the police, assume first that there may be some developental issues. besides that, if they had taken the time to actually conversate with him, they would have likely figured that out. again, a white guy just a few weeks ago with a sword was waving it at several police officers, while in the middle of the street and they held a long enough conversation with him to talk him down and he was being a threat. damn shame. my heart goes out to this mother.
whatthe46 September 15th, 2014 at 6:04 pm
“…Mr. Hunt should have understood he is a black man in America today IN Utah no less brandishing a sword. This isn’t a statement that black men need to watch their step…” indeed that is exactly what you’re saying.
Khary A September 15th, 2014 at 8:03 pm
First don’t ever tell me what I said. I know what I said I was very specific on that. Secondly, There is a difference in “watching your step” and being aware of your environment. For instance I don’t go down to Texas and piss all over the Alamo because I know I’m gonna get my black ass shot. As opposed to driving or walking along the street and looking over your shoulder because im afraid of the man coming down. It’s called situational awareness. So as I stated roaming the streets with a god damn sword has HIGH potential to get a blackhead killed in a world that seems pretty ok with killing black folk. It’s called subtext or are you always so forward with yourself in every situation you come across?
whatthe46 September 16th, 2014 at 12:24 am
watching your step is saying if you’re a black man in america that you must mind your p’s and q’s. be submissive or passive when approached by a white cop. like other black males that were unarmed and murdered by cops in the recent, have been very well aware that they are black men in America. you think that brown forgot he’s a black man in America when he was shot down? he was walking down the street and look at what happened. look at martin, who was only walking home fromt he store. they didn’t put themselves in any postition where “situational awareness” should have been warranted.
whatthe46 September 16th, 2014 at 12:30 am
furthermore, rosa parks put herself in a position where she was very well aware that because of the color of her skin, her situation was not going to be held in high regard, but she was sick of being submissive or passive, because she knew what the consequences could be. brown was tired of the “boy” attitude and martin was not going to sit down and comply with a stranger, just because he (zm) was (in martin’s eyes) white and he was black. just because standing up for yourself may have negative results, doesn’t mean that you accept disregard and cow down.
whatthe46 September 16th, 2014 at 12:59 am
i also suggest you read the article about the 3 black women accused of prostitution in a NY hotel. when approached by “security” for prostitution. she did not yes sir or no sir him, she said… “Dude, I’m a lawyer and these women are educators. Why the hell would I be in here soliciting prostitution?” should she have just bowed her head and instead of being offended, just “stayed in her place” and not inform him of her status with attitude? what step did she have to watch, as a black woman in this country?
Patrick September 21st, 2014 at 12:23 pm
“don’t ever tell me what I said”?!? my, my, my, it must be nice to be SO correct in your thinking that you are above question by the minions you spout off to.
Barbi September 15th, 2014 at 8:30 pm
eloquent writing, Khary A.
Khary A September 15th, 2014 at 10:43 pm
Thanks…I think.
mea_mark September 15th, 2014 at 10:54 am
{Police initially claimed they shot him after he “brandished the sword and lunged toward the officers with the sword,”} — Sounds like the police department is trying to cover-up what really happened and are just making stuff up to justify their murdering someone by shooting them in the back. This needs to be investigated by someone outside the state of Utah. Anytime there is what looks like a cover-up by law officers it should be investigated by federal authorities. Every attempt should be made to minimize the influence of corruption in our law officers in order to bring back integrity to the profession.
whatthe46 September 15th, 2014 at 5:52 pm
every police department should be investigated by the feds of their police officers. get rid of the bad apples yesterday.
Skydog2 September 15th, 2014 at 11:59 am
Attorney for Hunt’s family, Randall K. Edwards, said the autopsy results found that “none of these shots were from Darrien’s front.
But according to the LA Times, “Edwards declined to identify the pathologist who conducted the autopsy and didn’t provide a copy of the report or further details about the findings.”
whatthe46 September 15th, 2014 at 5:52 pm
and he doesn’t have to. now, if you think that the report is wrong, ask yourself why hasn’t the PD disputed the accusations.
Skydog2 September 15th, 2014 at 8:57 pm
He should put up or shut up.
whatthe46 September 16th, 2014 at 12:17 am
well, you can take your own advice. again, the police as usual will never admit to anything for at least a couple of months. they have to get their lies straight. and again, the police, if they have nothing to hide, can always dispute that claim. but, its a claim they will have to admit once they wash that awful taste of shit from their mouths after shoving their foot into it. an honest and innocent and justifible shooting should never require days or weeks to respond.
Patrick September 21st, 2014 at 12:18 pm
here’s your report, from those sworn to ‘protect and serve”:
http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2014/09/supposed-photo-evidence-of-ferguson-officers-injuries-media-bias-a-hoax.html/
Barbi September 15th, 2014 at 8:29 pm
whaddaya mean–“from his front.” We know he didn’t shoot from his front –he didn’t shoot at all. You mean he wasn’t shot IN his front –but in his back? as the article claims.
Bunya September 15th, 2014 at 4:12 pm
Whatever happened to tazers? Have they gone out of style or are they just being used in specific cases, like in detaining white folks?
whatthe46 September 15th, 2014 at 5:59 pm
the police had guns and this young man was running away and shot in the back, i doubt the police was in fear. “I’m trying to let myself believe this wasn’t a racially motivated killing.” keep trying.
Khary A September 15th, 2014 at 8:14 pm
Keep trying what huh? Trying to stay alive? Trying to live without having some nameless faceless sot tell me how to think act and feel about things? Ever had a weapon pulled on you or brandished around you? Oh i suppose you just stood there like captain hero without a care in the world? It was a man with a weapon…No matter what race he was im pretty sure it’s a terrifying thing. it;s why open carry lunatics seem to think they aren’t scary because they are white men walking around with high powered assault rifles and guess what they are. Fear is the issue fear on all sides in fact, fear of the controlling white populous losing control, fear from the black populace that they are on the verge of extinction. Do you know anything about that level of fear? Cause i am aware of it…i see it all the time. Fear makes people erratic, it makes them do things they might not necessarily do otherwise. Thus why I said “I’m trying to let myself believe this wasn’t a racially motivated killing.” I didn’t say it wasn’t but I am trying to think that not every white face I see is filled with murderous thoughts behind their blue eyes..or should I just fall into that darkness and lead the rest of my life with that on my head. Armchair revolutionary..talking a lot but has no idea of the consequence. You can sit here and weep all you want but my people are dying in the streets and i don’t see a good outcome in the future. So please, as you are so apt, please tell me how i should think feel and behave on this subject. Because the future I see here in America is that my kind will end up as little more than a bedtime story to frighten children..
whatthe46 September 16th, 2014 at 12:35 am
you obviously have only just started reading these type of stories. otherwise, you would know very well that there have been many cases in the past month, where white men would have (and one white woman) been shot down like a rabid dog for pulling the b.s. these people did. and each and every one of them were armed. ex. a white man shot at the police and fire department with an AK and instead of firing back, they talked to him. instead of SWAT ramming in his door, and putting bullets in his ass, he was giving an interview behind a glass to a news reporter. so, a young black man, RUNNING away from armed officers was of no threat and these “cops” were just pissed period.
Barbi September 15th, 2014 at 8:27 pm
I’m not liberal, but this story made me very sad –I don’t understand the police being jumpy enough to shoot with no good cause after the Missouri mess –regardless of what they find out about that situation–However, we know that the shooting victim in Missouri was not a gentle giant but a thuggish one headed for a life of crime. These guys on the street are apparently scaring the bejeevers out of policemen–considering that policemen have also been killed recently. I don’t think it’s racism –but fear –fear regarding racism of possible perps and cops.
Khary A September 15th, 2014 at 10:50 pm
*sigh*…Please tell me, and in vivid detail, all the evidence you have about the thuggish nature of the young man and how he was destined for a life of crime. I am truly interested in your thoughts on the subject. You gave me praise before but i think you misunderstand my position. The issue of fear I spoke of has spawned the racism that is apparently rampant in the “majority” populous and it’s that aspect that makes me doubt the sincerity of your “kindnesses”.
Police officers are supposed to be able to handle fear..it’s why we employ them. IF they are not capable of handling such issues then perhaps we shouldn’t look to the pool we’ve been pulling from to protect us. Fear is never an excuse for poor judgement.
Barbi September 16th, 2014 at 12:11 pm
The video revealed a thuggish nature –did you not see him man-handling the much smaller shop keeper –as he walked out the door with stolen merchandise? I imagine the police had gotten the call when they found Mr. Gentle Giant walking down the center of the street minutes later –and no one knows what happened after that except the police. the eye witness friend with Mr. Gentle Not-Thuggish Giant had a criminal record and was with the Mr. Gentle when he roughed up the shop manager. I don’t care if he’s purple or pink, he was no gentle giant in that video –and he would’ve gone to jail for his theft and abuse of the shopkeeper.
I would not excuse poor judgment with fear –but it IS understandable in our volatile society on the streets today,.
Patrick September 19th, 2014 at 3:36 pm
“I would not excuse poor judgment with fear –but it IS understandable in our volatile society on the streets today, so I guess I really DO excuse it, because I just slandered a black man I don’t know to defend murderers I don’t know. I just want to pretend I’m “fair””
Barbi September 19th, 2014 at 8:34 pm
You show objectivity here yourself, don’t you–calling the Missouri police murderers –and calling it slander to point out that there is a video that proves the young man in Ferguson committed a crime and was anything but gentle in that store. You are the slanderer –calling the police murderers –when you don’t know that it wasn’t self-defense at this point.
Patrick September 19th, 2014 at 10:53 pm
If it was self-defense then why did the cops post a phony photo of the poor “injured” cop? I don’t know either, but if there’s anything worse than a lying murderer, it’s somebody going to bat for them. PS don’t bother answering, I don’t give a fuck what you think.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/04/darren-wilson-injury-photo-ferguson_n_5768510.html?utm_hp_ref=crime&ir=Crime
m2old4bs September 15th, 2014 at 11:58 pm
Perhaps when the cops start shooting and killing those open carry “guys on the street” (thugs to the rest of us), we can talk about the fear you mention. Till then, you may want to do some soul searching, because methinks yours is either missing or in hiding.
Barbi September 16th, 2014 at 12:24 pm
What are you talking about –“killing those open carry ….thugs.” I have no idea what you tried to say here. Try again.
I have great sorrow over all the victims of shooting –whether they are behaving as thugs –and are thugs –or not –and for the policeman who live with the possibility of dying every day –even more than do black people just walking innocently down the street. Yes, if I were the parent of a black adolescent, I would have a firm curfew for him and make sure he understands that crime does not pay –just as with my white kids. BUT THE FACT IS, that in black neighborhoods, too many of the fathers are missing and/or into criminal enterprises themselves –and the teens congregate outdoors 3/4 of the year –forming gangs –and getting into trouble –and making trouble. In suburban neighborhoods, it seems that the kids aren’t natural allies and don’t necessarily hang out together all the time. –their friends are more likely to come from school activities and church and not be in the neighborhood –and they stay in their homes more –not necessarily having a lot of friends around of similar age with whom to go seeking adventure and relief from boredom. There are probably inevitable downsides to being parented by a young teen girl, too, and being neglected, yelled at and abused –when that happens. When the stability of the family is intact in communities of any race, there is greater possibility of upward mobility for all.
Patrick September 21st, 2014 at 12:16 pm
http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2014/09/supposed-photo-evidence-of-ferguson-officers-injuries-media-bias-a-hoax.html/
Patrick September 18th, 2014 at 9:52 am
So, “headed for a life of crime” is now punishable by public execution without a trial?
Barbi September 18th, 2014 at 11:03 am
Of course not. Don’t misconstrue what I said. The victim in this post above was supposedly under no suspicion –but the Missouri lad had just committed a crime –with belligerent attitude –as seen on the video. Who knows what he did when the police approached him? People who don’t want to get caught run–and so a person who runs from the police is suspected of criminal activity–that is no excuse to shoot to kill–unless the guy is running toward the police and won’t stop and is acting dangerous –the fear is that he could pull a knife, etc. or grab one’s gun –because he’s desperate or deranged if he runs toward the police in a belligerent manner and keeps coming and won’t stop.
Patrick September 18th, 2014 at 12:05 pm
“Don’t misconstrue what I said” ? Then don’t say things like: “we KNOW” (emphasis mine) the victim was “a thuggish one headed for a life of crime”. No, “we” don’t “know” that, that prejudice is all on you. It was solely intended to stir the pot and lend an air of pseudo-justification.
Barbi September 19th, 2014 at 9:59 am
You saw the video and you don’t KNOW that this Missouri shooting victim shop-lifted and intimidated and bullied the shopkeeper who tried to stop him??? All would land him in jail once the video proved it was he I say, “we know” –from the video. I don’t lend airs of pseudo-justification. If evidence of crime is as plain as the nose on your face, it predicts jailtime –or probation and supervision at the very least –a criminal record for an 18 year old. It raises the possibility that he had the same bullying attitude toward the police. IF he charged the policeman as some allege, it could get a guy shot –they don’t know he doesn’t have a knife to pull out –or maybe he DID go for the cop’s gun in a struggle at the car window. We don’t yet know. But we do know he was no gentle giant in the shop from which he stole –wherein he bullied the store’s manager. A kid who will do what he is seen doing, is headed for a life of crime –if he doesn’t have a change of heart –an epiphany –waking up from his MJ addiction to become a productive citizen. Unfortunately, he won’t get to do that now that he’s gone from this earth. I DO wish we were skilled at wounding or tazing instead of killing –in confronting youthful offenders –which the victim was –a youthful offender –at the very least.
Patrick September 19th, 2014 at 11:54 am
I saw the video. What he did is what he did. But,to tell me what he’s going to do in the future just makes you an ass. But, not a big an ass as does your “MJ addiction” theory.
Barbi September 19th, 2014 at 12:29 pm
MJ stays in the system for months –there are addicts. He was said to have it in his system. So check your own arse. Your pictorial icon is apt, BTW.
Patrick September 19th, 2014 at 3:31 pm
You have NO idea what you’re talking about, but that doesn’t slow you one bit. Your namesake -a vacous plastic doll- is apt, BTW
edmeyer_able September 15th, 2014 at 8:44 pm
Prosecutor in Utah now says #DarrienHunt fled after being “shot at”, then died dozens of yards away after more shots http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/16/darrien-hunt-shot-in-the-back-by-utah-police-says-family-attorney …
whatthe46 September 16th, 2014 at 12:11 am
yeah, i did read that too. he must have been terrified.