Posted by Cid95 on January 10, 2008 at 5:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A 911 call will bring cops.

Behaving erratically and waving a rifle around in front of cops is problematic.

Not dropping it when you are told, even more.

Firing it twice after being told to drop it (with no hearing impairment) - I would expect this kind of trouble then, unfortunately.

Maybe suicide by cop?

Posted by moonpie on January 10, 2008 at 6:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cid I wondered about this too originally. I thought the original story said the gun was a .22 caliber gun, which is not loud at all. Even a larger gun doing this I would question. Being an avid hunter I shoot rifles of large caliber regularly and the deafening excuse doesn't fly with me. More your latter comment.
It is tragic.

Posted by Creeker01 on January 10, 2008 at 6:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

They eliminated a threat posed by a man who was behaving erratically and shooting off a rifle at God only knows what or who... or what sleeping child in a home that was within the range of the bullet.

Its a shame for the family and the Deputies involved.

Posted by mggoose2000 on January 10, 2008 at 7:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

P&C, it doesn't matter what the reason was for Mr. Smiths' acting erractically. Mr. Smith was tragically shot because he, simply, defied the police officers demands to put the weapon down and then firing the gun into the woods. The officers had no way of knowing that he wasn't actually shooting at someone and they took action to stop this man.

It is sad, but what would we be saying if this man had killed someone with one of those shots into the woods? We'd be demanding to know why they didn't shoot sooner, that's what.

You cannot second guess these kind of situations; you weren't there and I'm here to tell you (see post under the other article about shooting), until you've been in a situation like the officers were confronted with, you don't know how you'll react.

Was it a mistake? I don't think so, just a tragic end to a terrible story.

Were the officers remiss in their duties? No, just confronted with a situation that required a decision to be made, albiet, a tragic one, yet they had to act, if not to protect themselves, then to protect innocent people.

Posted by tygers1231 on January 10, 2008 at 7:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BEFORE EVERYONE STARTS TO DEFEND THESE OFFICERS, YOU WILL NEVER KNOW THE TRUE STORY. ALOT OF INFORMATION ON THESE STORIES ARE REPORTED FALSELY BY THE P&C. MAYBE IF THE PUBLIC COULD REALLY TRUST THE POLICE IN GENERAL, THEN MAYBE YOU WOULDN'T SEE SO MANY TRADEGIES. SOME OF OUR WONDERFUL LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS A PROBLEM WITH HARASSING THE PUBLIC, I HAVE SEEN MANY OCCASIONS WHERE THEY HAVE TRIED TO DRUM UP CHARGES ON INNOCENT PEOPLE! WE NEED TO WEED OUT THE BAD APPLES!!

Posted by 5thGenerationLocal on January 10, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Tygers,
That is about an idiotic comment. Read the headline. It says family remembers man shot by Deputy. It blames the deputy from the beginnng. The Post and Cougar is the most biased rag around. Just like watching CNN.
This guy did not comply with the officers orders. He does not have a choice when told what to do by law enforement. Once LE determins a threat to either themselves or innocent civilians, they exhaust the problem. Military, SLED, SWAT, ATF, FBI, CIA etc all practice the same way.
This guys injuries thus leading to his death were self inflicted. He could have chosen a different path and gotten help, yet decided not to. See where that got him and his family?!?!

Posted by tygers1231 on January 10, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

5thGenerationLocal:

You are the uninformed idiot here! A story as simple as Mr Flaps' pawn shop getting robbed last week was reported wrong by the P&C. It stated that the robber had a gun and shot out the window, when that is not what happened at all...The owner was the one with the gun trying to protect HIS property, and he shot out the glass on the door, I am just waiting for the local police to charge him with firing his weapon. OPEN your Eyes, serve your country, get informed and then maybe you should be allowed to have an opinion!

Posted by ColdBeer on January 10, 2008 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Does the family remember a gun waving, gun firing, police disobeying drunk jerk jeopardizing the innocent public's safety???

Posted by 5thGenerationLocal on January 10, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Serve my country--- Just so you know I have and still do. Been a part of every major campaign since Kosovo and got shot twice while in Afghanistan. Don't talk to me about serving.
As far as your distrust towards law enforcment, that stems from something in your past. You are probably some crooked ass individual who always has to say, "I ain't done nothin officer."

The basic to the story are this. He was firing rounds after being told to drop his weapon. He didn't comply. he was killed. Nothing more to it than that.

Posted by tygers1231 on January 10, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's not forget who will be HURT most by this tradegy... The beautiful little Girl that never asked for any of this to happen, regardless of what is right or wrong, hopefully everyone will see the importance of making Carlina feel loved and help her deal with this tradegy, I am sure like every other child, HER daddy is gone, and in her eyes, he never did anything wrong.

Posted by tygers1231 on January 10, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

5thGenerationLocal:

On the defense huh? Well, I have NEVER been in any trouble with the LAW. I also serve my country and have spent my time pounding sand! I do have alot of friends of mine that are cops in my hometown, but since living in the Charleston/N. Charleston/Goose Creek Area, I have witnessed alot of "Questionable" practices of the Local Law Enforcment. Hopefully, You or anyone you love will not have to deal with one of those SHADY ass cops. Not all of them are dishonest, just MOST of them. When someone that I know, and think alot of is a Berekely County Sheriff and I get a call that he is no longer working in Goose Creek, to buy a gun for protection, then you know there are problems with society. I understand that there are many convicts on our streets and I also understand that our society is very warped. Just remember we as the public will NEVER know really what happened, we will only get the story told by the law enforcement, and they as a whole will ALWAYS cover each other. whether it is right or wrong.

Posted by grannyofsix on January 10, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I dont think we will ever know the truth. The Police are here to protect and serve, and the town I am in they do a fantastic job. But sometimes in bigger cities and towns well you never know. Doctors, lawyers, police they are all there to help but sometimes NOT always sometimes they have each others back. I am not saying that Jeff was right or that he did or didnt hear the police my self I cant judge but, as I said in the beginning we will never know.
I will always prayer for the police in all of america the job is a rough one. and yes no one forced them to take the job but if we didnt have them then what vigilante (bad spellin sorry) staes my prayers to Jeffs family and to the deputy who had no choice. and now he has to live wih this my heart goes out to you as well.

Posted by PoisenIvy on January 10, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Too bad he didn't love his daughter enough, to not throw his life away, by being a dangerous DRUNK.

Posted by tmh32 on January 10, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tygers1231 is right : "Let's not forget who will be HURT most by this tradegy... The beautiful little Girl that never asked for any of this to happen,"
She is ultimately the victim here. Right or wrong her world has been turned topsy turvy and nothing that is said here can change that. I'll be keeping her in my prayers and hope the rest of you will also.

Posted by considerthefacts on January 10, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

this article says the man was told to drop the weapon and then he fired two shots, IF that is correct there goes the hearing lose defense

Posted by urvoucher on January 10, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The officers had no other choice, Mr.Smith made that choice. It is very sad for the Love ones left behind. My prayers go out to the Smith family and everyone that was involved in this tragic event.

Posted by ashleyatwork on January 10, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes the man made some extremely poor choices but it seems like 2 cops could have brought down this man without killing him. I have never been shot but i would think if they had shot both his legs the pain and blood loss would have put him on the ground incapacitated. Maybe he would have never walked again but that little girl would still have a father. This "shoot to kill" thing should only be used in a definate deadly situation, there wee other options here.

Posted by forget on January 10, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh please, there are shady convenience store clerks, taxi drivers, doctors, etc. I can guarantee there are more shady criminals than shady cops. Sure there are a few, but like I said, there are shady people in any profession. Usually someone that thinks like that first thing has a criminal past or someone close to them does. Usually placing the blame on someone else besides the person doing wrong makes them feel better. Mr. Smith made a very unfortunate choice that evening. His unfortunate choice caused the officers to make a choice. I personally support their choice. I would have made the same one. I'm just grateful they have to make it and I don't. More people need to be grateful to those doing that job. I notice the people criticizing are not the people choosing to do that difficult job.

Posted by ISSIE53 on January 10, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

All those whom are posting these comments should check in their closets or sweep under their own rugs. How many of you have been out, after a few swigs, and shot off guns?? No one needs to die like this. Shooting and killing a person that is in the country, blowing off steam doing no harm to noone but himself for the hangover and headache in the morning. Why don't you go out and shoot all these people who are standing on the street corner handing out drugs that are killing and destroying innocent people everyday. You ride by the street corner, knowing good and well that they have a loaded gun (drugs) which they are selling to children and adults and nothing is done. Shoot this person. Just because you do not see a barrell or hear a pop they still are killing people.

Posted by greyrider on January 10, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

He called 911 and walked around outside shooting a rifle, KNOWING the cops were coming. Think about it. This definitely sounds like "suicide by cop", a growing tragedy in America.

Posted by forget on January 10, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ISSIE53,
He made an emergency 911 call!!! What would all these post say if the police didn't go out there. Or they did, and said "oh, all we found was some drunk with a gun, it was in the country so we just let him be" then he went inside and fought with those poeple and killed them. EVERYONE would want to know why something wasn't done about him before.
And I can assure you, I have never had a few "swigs" and decided to unload a firearm haphazardly into the woods. Again, it was a good thing there wasn't anyone out there (neighbor or kids playing). This isn't a showdown at the OK Corral in the wild, wild west!

Posted by greyrider on January 10, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I've been an NRA member for years. It's people like ISSIE53 that make the NRA's job of defending Second Amendment rights so difficult. BTW, neither myself, not anyone I know has ever "had a few swigs and shot off guns"

Posted by orpheus on January 10, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

the whole thing is a damn shame. i was not there, but the man who fired that shot is the only one who knows if it was necessary. i only hope when he reviews it in his mind that he can without a doubt say yes, it was necessary.

Posted by SixTen on January 10, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Everyone is overlooking the fact that the Sheriff’s Deputies didn’t blast 20 rounds into this guy. He was shot once! Combining the fact that it was dark, the adrenaline level of the Deputies was at its peak, and they were in danger of being shot; I’m surprised that they even hit him. I realize that they have training, and they prepare for the stress. BUT when you are looking at another person, and you know that if you don’t shoot him that he could kill you, your partner or maybe even somebody else that is washing dishes two streets over, you wish for another solution. These deputies didn’t have a week to psychoanalyze this situation. They had only seconds. It’s easy for all of the cop-haters to say that they would have “shot him in the leg” or attempt to wound the man with the gun. IT DOES NOT WORK LIKE THAT!! This is not a video game! You don’t get to hit reset or drop another quarter in and try again. You get one chance to make the right decision, and both of those Deputies have an obligation to go home to their family when the shift is over. They were called to an apparent stabbing, and for all they knew, Smith was the person that stabbed the caller. They reacted properly to the situation, and should be commended for their actions.

Posted by forget on January 10, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

SIXTEN,

THANK YOU!

That should pretty much end this conversation. Enough said.

Posted by firefighterwife on January 10, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have had enough of people ragging on the cops. Look at the facts: He was intoxicated and called 911, obviously the dispatcher was not able to get a lot of information to relay to police, the officers responded to that call, they arrive on the scene in the dark with only flashlights to guide them, a man is firing a gun into the woods, do they know if this is the victim that was "stabbed in the heart" or is this the suspect that supposedly stabbed him? After repeated calls to drop his weapon, he fires. Do the police know if there is someone in the dark that he is shooting at? They are trained, like officers all over the country, to aim for center mass. It was dark and obviously the shot was off. Is your night vision perfect, how would your aim be if you were trying to shine a light at the suspect and fire your weapon? At any time he could have turned and fired on them. It only took one person to take out the two Moncks Corner officers in a few minutes.

He is not the only victim. His daughter has been left without a father, for that I am sorry. No child should have to grow up without two loving parents. How do you think the officer who fired the shot feels? He has changed a family's life forever. He will have to live with that for the rest of his life. He is not like the murderers who run the streets and have no respect for life. He will at least be able to go home at the end of his shift to his family. My husband is in law enforcement and a firefighter. Our family gets it from two directions, is he going to be injured going into a fire to save someone, or shot/stabbed by some crazed person? Thankfully he has only had to use his taser, but has pulled his weapon numerous times. I breathe a sigh of relief everytime he comes home from a shift. Put yourself in their shoes with the information that you have from the media regarding the 911 call, the darkness, and the adrenaline pumping through them knowing they have an armed person shooting. Training kicks in and your training says "center mass", not an arm or leg. In a split second you have to make a decision, the officer will probably second guess himself for quite some time.

Posted by grannyofsix on January 10, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Have the coroners findings come out yet???? i must have missed it I need to check archives I guess

Posted by hardog240 on January 10, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Job well done by those brave police officers who risk there lives every day.Hope the same type of officers respond to my neighborhood if some deranged fool behaves in that same manner.

Posted by oldglory on January 10, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

greyrider, SixTen and forget: thank you all for your wise comments.

Posted by ashleyatwork on January 10, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cops are always crying about "want to go home to our families" Hey all of us do.
If this profession is too dangerous for you find another job. Your not a saint because you took this job. If you have children maybe this is not the best profession to be in. There are other ways you can support the communtity if thats your calling.

Posted by mrwarmth on January 10, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

let me lay out what is know. Man gets a dui, gets fired from his job, has a fight with his girlfriend, calls 911 about a stabbing to the heart(a methaphor for a broken heart), gets drunk up in the trailer and goes out on the land to play with a gun to let off some steam. confronted by the police, and dies. He dies because of a broken heart.

Isn't this a Hank Williams song?

Posted by mrwarmth on January 10, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ok ashely, for now on the police will only hire single people with nothing to live for

Posted by greyrider on January 10, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ashleyatwork - Your comments make sense on paper, but try to think about them in real life. You can't press a pause button and analyze the situation. This may sound crazy, but I guarantee you I'm right. Go find an arcade that has one of those "cop" games where you have to pick out the "bad guys" and shoot them and bypass shooting the innocent civilians. If you would stand there for 7 or 8 hours (not that I expect you to actually do that) you would see innocent civilians blown away repeatedly. And that's with the "pressure" of a video game. Now imagine if this was real life, and your split second decision meant life and death to those around you. If everyone who thought this was "too much pressure" quit the police force, we would not have a police force.

Posted by forget on January 10, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ashley,
They deserve to go home after work everyday just like you do. nobody says they're saints. But obviously they're doing a job you don't want. For what reason wouldn't you want that job. Seriously, the reasons you don't want to be a police officer are.....

Posted by grannyofsix on January 10, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ashley if these men and women didnt take this job who would you call when you are being mugged or WORSE Ghostbusters. no they dont have to stay at the job they can leave hell they dont get paid enough to put their life on the line. but the do it to TRY to protect those of us that want it

Posted by tygers1231 on January 10, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

forget and grannyofsix,

so lets pat these cops on their backs for a job they chose to do. well, guess what? what about our military men and women that put their lives on the line everyday to protect your freedom that loose their lives everyday, doing a job we chose to do. I don't hear their names on the news for a job well done, or giving their life or limb to protect. you will never hear about them or their families they left behind, hell they are lucky to get a small news flash on CNN, and we surely don't get paid enough to go to other countries to do our jobs, but your don't hear them whining about what they do. We as your military, we put our camos on, pack our bags, kiss our families goodbye and hope we can come home in the next year alive and with all our body parts intact. but as many return home, we get a very cold greeting and alot of hate because many americans do not agree with the war. "NEWS FLASH" we may not agree with it either, but we CHOOSE to do this job that not everyone wants to do, so we go where we are told and do what we are told. Alot of the same GREAT cops that you are jumping to defend, harass the s**t out of active duty members because they know we can't disagree with them.

Posted by Pratt07 on January 10, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tygers,
That last post of yours is the most f*cking idiotic thing I have ever read on this web site. I don't know where the hell you live but I would really like to know what police officer would harrass an active duty member of the military. Humor me please.

Posted by considerthefacts on January 10, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tygers, thanks you for your service. Do all active duty members of the military wear a sign around their neck so the cops know to harass them?

Posted by forget on January 10, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nobody said "pat them on the back" we were saying some understanding is in order. I also come from a military family. We understand the military personnel"s positions. We understand the situations they are placed in, and they are appreciated. But being that wasn't the topic we were talking about, we are truly sorry about ignoring what you perceive as your plight. I was born and raised in military towns all over the USA. And from personal experiences the only military personnel that are "harassed" on a regular basis (seeing with my own eyes - and I am college educated) are the ones that frequent the bars and establishments of ill repute. Not talking going out for a drink or two and going home at 11:00 either. Can't for the life of me figure out why some young police officer wants to harrass some young military fellow just driving down Rivers Ave. within the speed limit. And besides, how's he even going to know he's in the military beforehand.

Posted by 5thGenerationLocal on January 10, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You can disagree with anyone you want, but laws are laws. And I have been Active Duty for almost 20 years and I have never had a cop harass me because "they know we can't disagree with them." I said it before and I say it again. This hatred you have towards LE is based on something you did to provoke a reaction from them.
The reason that you do not hear anyone of the soldiers, airmen, marines names who die is because you watch CNN. That is a Clinton loving channel, and we all know how that idiot feels about service members. She doesn't want a military uniform anywhere near, much less in, the White House. With that, CNN and it's loyal Dems will not talk about the war or veterans in a positive light.
Law Enforcment members, just like Firemen and Military members put their lives on the line every day. These are all great positions of honor and distinction. While I am sure that there are twisted people in all branches of life, you cannot take away from what these people do for all walks of life every day of the week.

Posted by grannyofsix on January 10, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

just so you know tygers my grandson who is only 19 is in IRAG protecting your rights to speak in this forum. he has a wife with my first great grand child on the way> so no I dont forget about them THANK YOU VERY MUCH

Posted by greyrider on January 10, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tygers1231 - First let me tell you that I spent 4 years in the Air Force, I appreciate the fact that you willingly enlisted to serve your country. But you need to be educated about something. You say the men and women in the military don't get the recognition they deserve? Why do you mention CNN? The liberal media considers the men and women of the US military to be the villains of the War on Terror. Try watching Fox News, and especially Oliver North if you want to see the military get fair treatment. Although, if you make it a practice to get your "news" from the left-wing media, that explains all of your previous posts. Quit watching media that considers YOU the enemy in America.

Posted by Gary on January 10, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ashley, you are a stupid ass moron!

Posted by flinsc on January 10, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

stabbed through the heart
and you're to blame
you give cops a bad name

Posted by outrage on January 10, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tygers1231 - The majority of cops I know, are former military! You must be kidding with your posts. Police do what they do to help people and very rarely get a thank you, but when they do, it is like a Mastercard commercial - "priceless". In this day and age, if you would have complained on these officers, they would be investigated with a microscope.YFOS

Posted by algorelost on January 10, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think it was suicide by cop.
However it is a tragedy either way. I don't think any police officer starts their shift wanting to hurt anybody.

Posted by Pratt07 on January 10, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

outrage-

Well said. My brother is an office in Charleston and was just deployed to Iraq on Monday.

Posted by onlyme on January 10, 2008 at 2:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I find it odd that people try to passify Jeff's death as saying, what if an astrange bullet killed an innocent bystander. Keep in mind, He lived on 120 acres. If that bullet maintained the volocity to travel that distance and enter into someone elses residence and cause them personal injury I would be baffled. Yes, his actions may have not been of sound mind. However, He was on his own property. Shooting off a gun at the woods (120 acre radius). a 911 call was made, from what his cell phone (most people don't think cell phones can be accurately tract so I doubt it was suicide by cop). Also, I heard it mentioned what if he would have killed the people inside...uhm HE HAD A GUN AND AMPLE TIME BEFORE THE COPS ARRIVED (so I doubt that very seriously). He worked for the same company 9 years, for Charleston County so he wasn't a dilinquent. And I have no criminal History and I do believe that some cops think they can display thier on justice. However, Thier are many good cops. If the cops adrenaline was up and situations like that makes him feel defensive for his own life then perhaps he should reconsider a career change. This was mearly a county boy letting off stem and dealing with the stress that has occured in his life. Those that don't live in country surrounded by woods couldn't possibly concieve why he had a firearm. But, living in the country with 120 acres at your dispossal shooting a riffle isn't hurting anyone.

Posted by forget on January 10, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

everything today is so PC that police officers can't even do their jobs without people saying they have to shoot people but try not to hurt them too badly. At that point in Mr. Smith's thinking, he himself didn't seem to care if he was going to hurt anyone badly or what. I KNOW I don't need to be an officer. I have NO tolerance for stupid. And if some criminal made me chase them to arrest them...... no, I know what my limitations are.

Posted by forget on January 10, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

his biggest mistake was the 911 call. then his second big mistake was not dropping the rifle. After the call, could anyone be sure what was going on in there at that time. They didn't know him, so they couldn't go with that. But that aside, just how many times are we going to have to hear on news reports people say "I never thought he would have done something like that"
Most of the time, shooting your rifle on your 120 acres wouldn't be a problem. But taking shots after you have made a 911 call about being stabbed in the heart, then being told to put the gun down, now you have a problem. And we didn't even hit on the alcohol that had a hand in the situation.

Posted by amy38 on January 10, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A few facts: 120 acres is a BIG property. The police came to the front of the home, but the shooting happened in the back of the home, hence the need for flashlights instead of their police vehicles. I'm sure it was split decision action on the police part, but I have a couple of questions; Did the police think to knock on the front door to talk to the two other people inside? Diffusing a dangerous situation is a lot easier with someone who knows the person. How about calling for back up when you hear shots fired? Sounds like to me and from what I have gathered in talking to his exwife(who has a copy of the police report), police arrive to the scene, hear shots at the back of the house, go to the back and start yelling for him to drop the gun, then fired. We are told he was beligerant, but do we know for sure he even saw or heard the police? A side neck shot is a lot easier to give from the side of a house and does explain the 50 yard distance from him.

Jeff wasn't running, didn't have the weapon pointed at them, and probably never even heard the gun that shot him fired. But these fine boys in blue will get a pat on the wrist for doing another good service for the community.

How would the police have reacted if they walked up to his body and had found stabbing wounds and the person who had done it in the woods? Why was that thought not contemplated? Because police are trained to kill not to diffuse the situation. Especially if there is a gun involved. BTW if you look up suicide by cop you'll find most cops do not shoot until a weapon is pointed AT them. Shooting in the woods is not imminent danger.

Posted by onlyme on January 10, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He clearly made a mistake. His Judgement was not sound, thus the alcohol. But, it did say two people where in the house. Why didn't they knock on the door or did they hear him shooting? Thus he was shooting before they approached him. His mind being cloudy and in thought, my husband tells me I tune people out all the time. Expecially when I am in thought or stressed about a situation. We don't clearly know what happened. But, being the call was from cell phone I doubt he truely believed anyone would arrive and if thier attention was brought to him because he was already firing off the firearm. Then, they can not claim they thought he was shooting at them. HE WAS SHOT IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD!

Posted by Pratt07 on January 10, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He was shot square in the back of his neck.

Posted by mrwarmth on January 10, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)

onlyme- according to amy38 who is in contact with the family, he was shot in the side of the neck. he could have been facing directly at them and turned his head keeping his body and possibly the gun in their direction

Posted by onlyme on January 10, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)

excuse me NECK!

Posted by onlyme on January 10, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mrwarmth: as she clearly stated he was already firing off the Gun. So he was shooting through the house at them? No! he was not shooting towards the house and she said the Shot that killed him came from the side of the house. Therefore, they where in the direction of the house. am i wrong?

Posted by amy38 on January 10, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

onlyme- ok don't hold me to the exact north south east west directions, but to explain: cops arrive at north side of house, jeff is at south side of house, shooting south. cops come to east or west side of house engage in dispute and shoot. No shots were fired at the cops, otherwise there would have been more than 1 shot.

Posted by mrwarmth on January 10, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I believe they went to the sound of the gunshot. Not knowing the makeup of the land they probably came up the side of the house using it for cover. I doesn't matter where he was shooting previously. If the barrel of the rifle was pointed in their direction or was traveling towards them. They perceived a threat. As far as people questioning the one shot. If the cops moved up the side of the house, they would probably have been lined up with one covering the rear. The lead officer, probably the one who fired the shot, had time to aim his weapon and tell Mr Smith to drop his. This article states that after the order to drop the weapon was givin, two rifle shots were fired. I don't think it matters where the rifle was pointed when those shots were fired. All the matters was the direction on the rifle when the deputy fired.

Too many people on here are rushing to judgement on both sides, too many medals given to the police to too many people ready to string the police up.

NO ONE HERE was there. the investigation is ongoing. don't assume anything you read on this forum or the p and c is true

Posted by onlyme on January 10, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The only problem with that NO ONE HERE WAS THERE.. is that it is the cops word now because JEFF isn't here to SAY! So Yes I agree the investigaiton is ongoing but I doubt it's covered so well as many others may have. As the paper (not just relying on PC) said those who knew him loved him and to loose someone without real justification is hard to accept. Especially when your saying the guy is on his own property and not harming anyone.

Posted by forget on January 10, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The responsibility in this can be summed real fast. He made a really bad choice. We all make choices. After we make those choices we have to deal with the concequences. Unfortunately, he won't get to make anymore choices after that one. It ALL comes down to being responsible for the decisions we make. He had made quite a few bad choices in the time leading up to that day, things were escalating. He maybe could have made a better choice if it wasn't for the alcohol. But that itself was another choice.

Posted by Amber on January 10, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To ALL who didnt know Jeff:

How can you make a judgement call on Jeff's character when you didn't know Jeff the person, not Jeff the news article!! My husband and I have known Jeff for many years and Jeff was a great guy and an even better father!!!! We were not there when the officer decided to shoot Jeff and the only other person that was there is dead! So show a little respect for the family and friends of Jeff who may read your comments because WE knew Jeff the person not the news article!!!!!It would have been nice to have the Video from the police car so we could put all the slaying of Jeff's character to rest!!!

Posted by mrwarmth on January 10, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Onlyme-the only person who knew that no one was being harmed with jeff. the police were responding to a distress call from someone stabbed in the heart.

Posted by forget on January 10, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There wasn't a person on here that said he was a bad person. I pretty much believe that most people here believe his alcohol clouded choices caused his problems. If you watch the news and they interview people about things that happen one of the first things they say were "he was a good person" Good people just sometimes make bad choices.
And that officer just didn't decide to take a shot at him, the were quite a few things that led to it. This situation is something he also is going to have to live with.

Posted by onlyme on January 10, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you Amber.... Jeff was loved by all who knew him. Thus, His Character speaks for himself :)

Posted by forget on January 10, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the people inside the trailer were passed out drunk. They couldn't have heard a train passing by.

Posted by amy38 on January 10, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

palmetto man-you said there is a good wrongful death attorney in Columbia. Can you say his name?

Posted by forget on January 10, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

family members and friends had said him and the other two had been drinking and they had passed out.

Posted by HisUncleEddie on January 10, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

First off my comment is some of us only know what the tv and paper writes about this story, easy to make and pass judgement on a 1 sided police only knows what happen story. Everyday more informaton is passed out about the tragic moments of this mans life. And after SLED finishes the investigation will we know what happened. I happen to be part of this family and an x-police officer and was told that the police came to this house twice. Once in the driveway and once parking in the landlords house and slipping up in the woods. It is easy to take someone who is down on their luck and make them out to be anything we would like. I can make Cinderella into a bad person in the Court of Public opinion.
A few question I have:
How many time did Jeff fire his rifle before the police came?
How did anyone make a head shot at 50 yards in the dark?
Why was his back turned?
Whats the history of this officer, we know Jeffs background, is this his first shooting he was involved in.
What was this officer doing prior to his shift.
I'm not trying to make the police out to be the bad guy, just have a few questions that Al Cannon don't talk about.
The dead man called for help and was shot somehow in the back. Where is the threat?
Last: If you believe Death By Cop? To leave his 9 year old daughter to fend for herself you should reconsider your thought. My nephew may not have been perfect, but at last check.... Who is?
Feel free to past any comment to me at: reddog43@bellsouth.net

Posted by forget on January 10, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the article on January 7, 2008 has a quote by the other occupants of the mobile home.

Posted by forget on January 10, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

there was a previous incident almost identical to this one that Mr. Smith was involved in 4 years ago. Same address, phone call made, he had a pistol that time. It seems that alcohol seems to be what's behind every unfortunate thing that's happened to him.

Posted by forget on January 10, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mr. Palmettoman,
just put his name in the search. You read it, too, since you had left comments. I think it was about in one of the last 3 paragraphs.

Posted by amy38 on January 10, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

forget- there was also a note in one of the first reports the shooting happened in the front yard, it didn't the police report shows the back. My point is the news is told to sell papers, and advertisements. Getting the story correct is not always their first priority.

Posted by forget on January 10, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

unfortunately we aren't commenting on repeated calls to other people's places. We were discussing this particular one. And we aren't discussing other police depts. cases of criminal acts. The officer that had to do the shooting wasn't trying to abuse his authority apparently. And at the time trying to get the facts of who was standing where, and facing which way exactly is very different than listening to 2 people saying that they had been drinking all day and were passed out. Not much can be misunderstood there.

Posted by amy38 on January 10, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

forget- they also said the people in the house were two men. It wasn't it was a man (friend of family) and woman (his gf). Just saying facts aren't always first again.

Posted by always on January 10, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Everyone will have a different opion as to why and how come. What needs to be said is that this is a personal loss. Those who truly knew Jeff,either from the past or present are suffering terribly. His family has been forced to thier knees, and here you are analizing who and what you don't know. Idle gossip is shameful and useless. I hope Jeff's family offers you forgiveness for such crass and uncalled for comments. And they will, now you know a little bit about Jeff's character. A genuinely goodnatured countryboy and father!

Posted by HisUncleEddie on January 10, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you Always

Posted by forget on January 10, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the article said a man and his girlfriend.
Just people picking apart every letter of every word. Plain and simple, if you don't put yourself into situations like this, things like this won't happen to you. I've lived 40 or so years and situations like this (or even close) have never happened to me. People talk about being harassed by police, I live in the same area everyone else does, and I've never been harassed. Don't understand. I guess I never put myself into situations that cause me to be "harassed". I've never been arrested, so therefore I've never had to complain about "police brutality", I've never been drunk and decided to shoot off a few rounds after making an emergency phone call, either, so I guess i don't know how I should act after that. And then again, I didn't do the same thing four years ago either. I guess he figured it would go the same way. He figured wrong.

Posted by forget on January 10, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Most of us has said we were sure he was a good person. Just a victim of his own bad choices. People's families are always the ultimate ones that pay when things happen. We weren't discounting that. But alot of people don't stop to think about who pays when they make these unfortunate choices. It's who's left behind. The same thing with the young women who have jumped off the bridge in the last few weeks. Their families are paying.

Posted by forget on January 10, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

thanks everyone for a thought provoking conversation. About ready to call it a day. Alot of great thoughts thrown out there.

Posted by tasnic on January 10, 2008 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I will be there SAT. Will everyone else to honer my friend Jeff?? It is easy to sit at you computer and post comments but where is your heart?? If you can't be there PLEASE contribute to his daughter Carlina's fund @ Community First Bank, 8485 Dorchester Road, North Charleston, SC 29420. Please no more negative talk about Jeff, if you didn't know him! If you did see you Saturday.
Thanks to all,
TAS...

Posted by forget on January 10, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well, I have 2 alcoholic parents, and I'm a single parent, I think I'll donate to my daughter's fund. Her family is already talking about a suit. She'll have a fund.
Sorry....

Posted by walleyedwoman1215 on January 10, 2008 at 6:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To recap: Officers responded to a garbled stabbing call. They arrived at a large property not knowing the layout, not knowing Mr. Smith is just a good ole country boy wasting a few rounds. Mr. Smith is firing a weapon into the woods. Possibly at a human being? He ignores a cop's command. The cop is no doubt mindful of two Moncks Corner officers who didn't raise their weapons quite fast enough and now have families weeping at their gravestones. Mr. Smith got drunk, literally made a bad call and paid with his life. Should the officers have waited until he swung the weapon towards them? Should they have said, "Hold on. Let's have dispatch call his friends to find out what a great dude he is."
I sincerely regret that his loved ones suffered this loss. But all the spin in the world won't make this the officers' fault.

Posted by onlyme on January 10, 2008 at 6:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Uhm... I understand like many your not able or have no intention to contribute to the fund. But, your statement seems callas and cold. It's not his Daughter's fault in any situation on which ever side you care to bias your opinion. If your a single parent and have to provide for your family that's understandable. No one says you have to donote. Furthermore, If a wrongfull death suit is filed on/or behalf of the family that is thier affair and their is no promise that the little girl will receive any settlement. She lost her father who was not a dead beat dad he loved, cared, and supported her... no amount of money will ever bring her Daddy home to her... So show some empathy.

Posted by tygers1231 on January 11, 2008 at 5:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

grannyofsix:

Here's to your grandson!!! Glad to know that someone in your family has honor and courage. And I pray that he returns safely so that there will not be another child that has to grow up without their daddy. I have pulled my time in the desert.

5thGenerationLocal:

You are exactly the type of person that I would hate to have to report too. Also an excuse and never there looking to help someone.

Posted by love_kids06 on January 13, 2008 at 1:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To all of you people who don't know the WHOLE story.......Anyone who was lucky enough to have known Jeff knows He live out in the country and loved to target shoot.Also when he got upset about things he would go in his OWN backyard and shoot his guns.What the news and newspapers fail to tell you is he never made eye contact with the police.He was shot in the back of the neck.He NEVER turned around.He did not refuse to drop the weapon.He was shooting when they arrived at the scene.He was shooting in his OWN woods in his OWN backyard...I know Jeff well enough to know if he would have seen the police he would have stoped shooting and spoke with them.Jeff was a great man who many loved and looked up to.His daughter Carlina is left without a father now for the mistakes of an officer.From my understanding this same officer has been under investigation for another shooting. Sounds like the officer was trigger happy if you ask me.

Posted by always on January 14, 2008 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Now that it's all said and done I'll leave you all with a positive thought about Jeff. He was the first friend I made when I transfered schools. He was and has been a easy going heartfelt person. It never really occured to him to hold a grudge or keep a grudge going. Once he made you a friend (family) you stayed friends. This is one of the hardest deaths to face, a senceless one. He will be missed terribly and thought of often. To all his friends out there I say: remember the good times, bon fires, and the parties we found and created by just being together. We love you baby brother keep the fire going and hang out with Matt & Gary till we see you again....... Falcons forever....

Posted by love_kids06 on January 14, 2008 at 10:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

always.....You knew Matt and Gray? Well I must know you as well. I named my first son Matthew after Matt died.Please email me.love_kids06@yahoo.com