Washington cop pulls out pistol on a snowball fight

[Hatsune Miku]

When his car got caught in the middle of a snowball fight over the weekend, a D.C. cop did what came naturally. Nope, the off-duty officer did not join in the fun with childlike abandon. He whipped out his pistol and pointed it at people.

Witnesses say the detective's huge red Hummer was pelted during a mass snowball fight in Washington that had been arranged on Facebook and Twitter. Perhaps misconstruing the effect that packed snow would have on his re-purposed-tank of a car, the cop broke up the fight with his government-issued gun. Massive bah humbug.

Amazingly this didn't deter some brave (or should that be daft?) snowballers from continuing their powdery assault -- even as the gun-toting man identified himself as a cop and dared them to "throw another snowball."

Slightly more understanding officers were called to the scene as the crowd of around 200 people hollered chants including "No War, But Snowball War" and the soon to be classic "You don't bring a gun to a snowball fight!"

Source (http://www.asylum.com/2009/12/21/washington-dc-cop-draws-pistol-at-a-snowball-fight/)

sFC8mNdxV0c

ri3LoJJpkOU

^ Thats one big snowball fight

[IowaBoy]

here is the video of the officer admitting to pulling his gun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RhossH1bm4&annotation_id=annotation_234426&feature=iv

any way...a gun vs. 50 people with snowballs...hmmm

[Tiberius]

I was waiting for this to be posted. That cop should be criminally prosecuted for that.

[Hatsune Miku]

Those cops are idiots. Their throwing snowballs calm the fuck down. one of the kids said, "Its snowing out its no difference, what are you gonna shoot the fucking sky?"
I agree with the kid. I just think those cops took things a little too far when one of them pulled out a gun. Guns can kill, snow can't. Do the math you idiot ( Oh and hes driving a hummer, what an ass )

[TheKingDavis]

Well hell... here goes more people mad at me...

but, stop and think for a second

look at this from the police officers point of view

*Your in D.C.
*200 people throwing stuff
*a large group of people throwing stuff
*Ive seen these before maybe its a riot
*something just hit my car, maybe there was a rock in the snowball
*are they trying to harm me or other people
*better make sure everything is under control

my opinion

ya, the gun was drastic, but it is plausible that the officer thought that it was a riot. D.C. is known for national security, you dont normally see 200 people having a snowball fight.

[OneManArmy]

2 wrongs don't make a right.

Also he drives a hummer, need to say more??

[Rainstorm]

Well hell... here goes more people mad at me...

but, stop and think for a second

look at this from the police officers point of view

*Your in D.C.
*200 people throwing stuff
*a large group of people throwing stuff
*Ive seen these before maybe its a riot
*something just hit my car, maybe there was a rock in the snowball
*are they trying to harm me or other people
*better make sure everything is under control

my opinion

ya, the gun was drastic, but it is plausible that the officer thought that it was a riot. D.C. is known for national security, you dont normally see 200 people having a snowball fight.

There was an even bigger one in Wisconsin a couple weeks ago, on a collage campus, and there was no one pulling out guns.

I can see where you're coming from, but the cop has to have had some common sense. Yes, it could be a riot, but over what?

[TheKingDavis]

There was an even bigger one in Wisconsin a couple weeks ago, on a collage campus, and there was no one pulling out guns.

I can see where you're coming from, but the cop has to have had some common sense. Yes, it could be a riot, but over what?

college campus, this one was in the streets.

Who knows, he did what he was trained to do in a dangerous situation. Im not saying the actual thing was dangerous, but to him at that moment it made him feel dangered

[Cloud]

college campus, this one was in the streets.

Who knows, he did what he was trained to do in a dangerous situation. Im not saying the actual thing was dangerous, but to him at that moment it made him feel dangered

even though he didnt stop once he found out it was a snowball fight?

[TheKingDavis]

even though he didnt stop once he found out it was a snowball fight?

Probably just not to look stupid (which he wound up looking even more stupid) im not defending his actions after the fact, only when it happened, he had no reason to keep it out

[Rainstorm]

Who knows, he did what he was trained to do in a dangerous situation. Im not saying the actual thing was dangerous, but to him at that moment it made him feel dangered

There were most likely other cars driving by, and hit. None of them got out and yelled at them to stop? They knew it was a joke. This police officer gets to pull out a gun, and tell them to stop. Why not investigate for a bit before resorting to the worst possibly scenario?

[TheKingDavis]

There were most likely other cars driving by, and hit. None of them got out and yelled at them to stop? They knew it was a joke. This police officer gets to pull out a gun, and tell them to stop. Why not investigate for a bit before resorting to the worst possibly scenario?

thats on him, he just reacted to what came to his mind first

[Rainstorm]

thats on him, he just reacted to what came to his mind first

He clearly knew it was a snowball fight. He threatened them to "throw another snowball"

If he knew it was a snowball fight, why the hell does he need the pistol out? Most likely, he was pissed that his hummer was hit.

He needs some punishment, even if minor.

[TheKingDavis]

Like I said, maybe at first he didnt know it was a snowball fight, we dont have footage of when he first stepped out, and yes he needs minor punishment

[The Joker]

It's obviously a snowball fight. If he couldn't see them throwing snow from the moment he got out of his Hummer, he needs glasses.

look at this from the police officers point of view

1. Your in D.C.
2. 200 people throwing stuff
3. a large group of people throwing stuff
4. Ive seen these before maybe its a riot
5. something just hit my car, maybe there was a rock in the snowball
6. are they trying to harm me or other people
7. better make sure everything is under control

I'll number the things you wrote and I'll tear your ideas to shreds.

1. What does the state it's in have anything to do with it? :eyebrow:

2. Throwing snowballs, while it's snowing. It's not like they are going to be as hard as ice. It was also a planned event on Facebook.

3. That's the exact same thing as the point above it.

4. I haves seen these before, it's called having a FUN SNOWBALL fight. If they were hitting each other, then it would be a riot. They were throwing snowballs, how could that ever be seen as a riot?

5. It was fresh snow, there probably won't be a rock in it, plus the guy drives a freaking Hummer, one or two pebbles in a snowball won't do ANYTHING.

6. No, they aren't. THEY ARE THROWING FRESH SNOW! I've had fresh snow thrown at me, the only thing I feel is cold, and only that if I'm wearing light clothing.

7. Sure, but you don't need to wave a gun at them.

[Hatsune Miku]

Well hell... here goes more people mad at me...

but, stop and think for a second

look at this from the police officers point of view

*Your in D.C.
*200 people throwing stuff
*a large group of people throwing stuff
*Ive seen these before maybe its a riot
*something just hit my car, maybe there was a rock in the snowball
*are they trying to harm me or other people
*better make sure everything is under control

my opinion

ya, the gun was drastic, but it is plausible that the officer thought that it was a riot. D.C. is known for national security, you dont normally see 200 people having a snowball fight.

It wasn't a riot. The whole snowball fight was made for pure fun and planned through twitter. Nothing more I can say. Matt pretty much covered it all. And the cop was Off Duty. He has no right to be pulling out his gun at people throwing snow. Just because a few snowballs hit his hummer hes gonna get ass pissy about it? I could throw a sumo at that thing and it would still be in perfect shape.

[Antares]

this proves that people cant have firearms it seems.

people like to use firearms as a scare tactic and thats just really dangerous...why? because people use it as a power tool and a scare tactic in inappropriate situations and that leads to dead babies...lol

anyways, yea he shouldnt have pulled out the gun. it was unnecessary and i am glad he is on desk duty...he doesnt deserve to be on the streets.

[clone]

you guys notice how many stupid cop stories there has been recently? how do you apply to be a cop now days aplication form #1 do you like donuts-yes. your in!

[Perseus]

you guys notice how many stupid cop stories there has been recently? how do you apply to be a cop now days aplication form #1 do you like donuts-yes. your in!

People like you piss me off.

Throwing snowballs, while it's snowing. It's not like they are going to be as hard as ice. It was also a planned event on Facebook.

Yeah, because everything you plan on Facebook is legal, right? From what you said, I could go plan an assination on the president, and since it's a planned event on Facebook, it's perfectly legal.
How is he supposed to know it's a planned event on Facebook?

It wasn't a riot. The whole snowball fight was made for pure fun and planned through twitter. Nothing more I can say. Matt pretty much covered it all. And the cop was Off Duty. He has no right to be pulling out his gun at people throwing snow. Just because a few snowballs hit his hummer hes gonna get ass pissy about it? I could throw a sumo at that thing and it would still be in perfect shape. Off duty cops still are supposed to do their job. They can't arrest people, but they can detain people until the patrol officers come to pick up the suspect. He shouldn't of pulled his gun, but for all you know, he could of thought he was doing the right thing.
Unless the mayor or someone said this event is okay and such things, it technically is disturbing the peace because over 200 people are throwing snow at each other. They could get hit by cars and stuff. If it was planned by the city and stuff, then that cop needs to get the stick out of his ass.

[mrmcdonaldduck]

Really, that cop needs some common sense, it's a fucking snowball fight, not a riot and he knew it.

Whatever happened to discretion, I thought cops were supposed to use it, not just go in with a gun.

[Jenna.]

I actually heard on the news that someone threw a snowball at HIM and hit him in the face. That's technically assault, so he's doing his job to me. No offense but some of you guys need to chill out... You don't know for sure that he has a "stick up his ass." He probably saw what he thought was an out of control situation (and 200 something people wildly throwing snow everywhere does seem a little out of control, don't you think? Its not something you'd usually see. It could've looked like a riot especially if people were screaming shit and acting like morons.) And if he got hit repeatedly with snowballs, then he'd perceive that as an out of control situation that needs to be taken care of. I live near DC, and I know for a fact that a lot of that snow has become icy, and it hurts. It could be dangerous.

[Sage]

Good on the cop, I fucking hate punks like that.

[The Batman]

DC is a really dangerous place and a cop hearing things hitting his car will react by pulling out his gun.

[clone]

[QUOTE=Jenxox;722751][FONT=Century Gothic]I actually heard on the news that someone threw a snowball at HIM and hit him in the face.

if that happend then its a whole new story and pulling the gun was the right move.

[Hatsune Miku]

Unless the mayor or someone said this event is okay and such things, it technically is disturbing the peace because over 200 people are throwing snow at each other

So in order for me to pick up a handful of snow, and throw it, I need to consult my mayor first? And 200 people throwing snow is nothing compared to the blizzard that was going on.

DC is a really dangerous place and a cop hearing things hitting his car will react by pulling out his gun.p

Something hits his car and he reacts by pulling out a gun. What if something hits my car? Am I supposed to pull out a gun too? And if he thought about it first. Whatever hit his isn't going to be fatal. Because for one, its snowing so people are probably throwing snowballs. Or it could have been a rock, And if it was a bullet or something that can kill, it would go through his car or make a very loud sound. Since a snowball hit his car it didn't make a loud sound. So he had no reason to pull out his gun. Common sense

[The Batman]

So in order for me to pick up a handful of snow, and throw it, I need to consult my mayor first? And 200 people throwing snow is nothing compared to the blizzard that was going on.
I'm not sure but I really don't think that over 200 people can just meet up and have a snow fight without talking to someone.


Something hits his car and he reacts by pulling out a gun. What if something hits my car? Am I supposed to pull out a gun too? And if he thought about it first. Whatever hit his isn't going to be fatal. Because for one, its snowing so people are probably throwing snowballs. Or it could have been a rock, And if it was a bullet or something that can kill, it would go through his car or make a very loud sound. Since a snowball hit his car it didn't make a loud sound. So he had no reason to pull out his gun. Common sense
You're not a cop he is though so if something hits your car and you don't know what it is you call the police.
According to Uniform Crime Report statistics compiled by the FBI, there were 1,414.3 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported in the District of Columbia in 2007. There were also 4,913.9 property crimes per 100,000 reported during the same period

Violent crime is still more than three times the national average of 466.9 reported offenses per 100,000 people in 2007.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Washington,_D.C.
Being a cop in a city with that much crime is going to put you on edge and when an unknown object comes hitting your car you don't have enough time to think "maybe it's just snow" first priority is to protect yourself and anybody else around.
Besides, it's common sense not to through a snow ball at a car if you don't know the owner and then the idiots kept throwing them at a cop with his gun drawn.

[mrmcdonaldduck]

[QUOTE=Jenxox;722751][FONT=Century Gothic]I actually heard on the news that someone threw a snowball at HIM and hit him in the face.

if that happend then its a whole new story and pulling the gun was the right move.

This.

[The Joker]

Yeah, because everything you plan on Facebook is legal, right? From what you said, I could go plan an assination on the president, and since it's a planned event on Facebook, it's perfectly legal.
How is he supposed to know it's a planned event on Facebook?

For one, I'm just saying, it was a planned event on a social networking site, a big one at that. I'm not saying that changes the legality status at all. It was completely legal though.

Even if he didn't know, it was pretty damn obvious it was a snowball fight.

[Rainstorm]

I actually heard on the news that someone threw a snowball at HIM and hit him in the face. That's technically assault, so he's doing his job to me.

Who said that a snowball was thrown at HIM? He is standing the the midst of a god damn snowball fight, of course he's going to end up getting hit. It's not assault if he is in the middle of it.

[Perseus]

For one, I'm just saying, it was a planned event on a social networking site, a big one at that. I'm not saying that changes the legality status at all. It was completely legal though.

Even if he didn't know, it was pretty damn obvious it was a snowball fight.

Just because it is a large social networking site, doesn't mean he's gonna, 1.) have a FaceBook, and 2.) see that around 200 people planned it. And how is 200 minors(correct me on that if I'm wrong) running amok throwing shit legal? Like I said, they could get hit by cars and other such things. It's dangerous and they are disturbing the peace, in a sense.

[Jenna.]

Good on the cop, I fucking hate punks like that.


Me too.

[The Joker]

Just because it is a large social networking site, doesn't mean he's gonna, 1.) have a FaceBook, and 2.) see that around 200 people planned it. And how is 200 minors(correct me on that if I'm wrong) running amok throwing shit legal? Like I said, they could get hit by cars and other such things. It's dangerous and they are disturbing the peace, in a sense.

They aren't throwing just anything, they are throwing SNOW. FRESH SNOW. That has and never will be illegal. They were by a busy street, they weren't exactly disturbing anyone.

Jeez VT, you guys are no fun. Having a snowball fight is not dangerous. :/

[Raptor22]

I was waiting for this to be posted. That cop should be criminally prosecuted for that.

There is no law against possession of a firearm in public, at least in most states and municipalities. Especially for a police officer, now was it irresponsible? Yes. Should he get a talking to? Yes. Would I also be pissed if someone threw shit at my car? Yes. Would I react in the same way? No...

[Hatsune Miku]

You're not a cop he is though so if something hits your car and you don't know what it is you call the police.

If something hits my car I say, "What the fuck was that?" I don't call the police

[OnceMoreWithFeeling]

i live really close to it!

[Raptor22]

If something hits my car I say, "What the fuck was that?" I don't call the police

Depends on what it is that hits it,

Plus you are 14, you dont have your license or a car... :P

[Hatsune Miku]

Depends on what it is that hits it,

Plus you are 14, you dont have your license or a car... :P

Yeah but im still a passenger >_>

[Cloud]

[FONT=Century Gothic]I actually heard on the news that someone threw a snowball at HIM and hit him in the face.

if that happend then its a whole new story and pulling the gun was the right move.

he was hit after he pulled the gun out
he got out of his car with his gun out basicly and then when he was shouting at a crowd a guy hit him with one

[Eclipse]

Stupid ass cop. Wtf is a snowball gonna do?

[Raptor22]

Yeah but im still a passenger >_>

Really alot different, you didnt pay for the car with your hard earned money. I dont even like people to touch my car let alone throw something at it. Not like that is an exuse for the cop to do what he did, its not.

[Perseus]

They aren't throwing just anything, they are throwing SNOW. FRESH SNOW. That has and never will be illegal. They were by a busy street, they weren't exactly disturbing anyone.

Jeez VT, you guys are no fun. Having a snowball fight is not dangerous. :/

Just because it isn't busy doesn't mean they'll get hit. Go get 200 of your friends and go play in a street and see how that works..

[The Joker]

I meant, with regards to noise, not exactly disturbing anyone.

[Perseus]

I meant, with regards to noise, not exactly disturbing anyone.

Screaming.

[Raptor22]

Im honestly surprised this thread didnt turn into a tirade over gun control. Good job guys. :)

(not being sarcastic)

[The Joker]

Screaming.

In a busy DC area? And I doubt ALL of them were screaming.