Police Force Gets Non-Lethal Guns After Fatal Shooting
SAGINAW (WWJ/AP) - The fatal shooting of a homeless, mentally ill man in Saginaw has inspired officials to purchase three non-lethal weapons for police.
The Saginaw City Council approved the $5,000 purchase of shotguns known as "bean-bag" guns, which can be used to stun and disarm someone.
Assistant City Manager Phil Ludos said the purchase was under consideration before Milton Hall's death last summer, but the shooting was the "impetus to get it moving forward." Police said they had one bean-bag gun at the time, but it was locked up and unavailable.
Hall, 49, was shot 11 times and killed in a parking lot after refusing to drop a knife.
The incident with Hall began when a convenience store clerk reportedly called police to complain that Hall was becoming rude and combative after refusing to pay for coffee and other items. When officers arrived, Hall was in a parking lot on West Genessee Avenue, allegedly wielding a weapon.
According to investigators, Hall refused to drop a knife and six officers fired 46 shots at him, hitting him 11 times. Video taken on another witness's cellphone and later obtained by CNN showed Hall collapsing in a hail of gunfire after police ordered him to drop the knife. View the video, here. (Warning: Video is very graphic and may be disturbing to some viewers.)
The Saginaw County prosecutor said no charges would be filed, although some officers were disciplined by the police department.
TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
