Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 17, 1995 TAG: 9509180014
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ELIZABETH OBENSHAIN
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The fatal shooting last month of a young man while struggling with police over his gun shook this college town, which seemingly had been immune to the proliferation of guns and death in urban locales.
Monday night, local residents will have a chance to share their thoughts and concerns about this public tragedy when the Montgomery County Human Relations Council holds a "listening session" in the Blacksburg High School Auditorium at 7:30.
On Aug. 9, three police officers tried to arrest Maurice Taylor in a local drug store for failure to appear in court for a parole violation hearing. The confrontation quickly turned violent.
Taylor was armed with a pistol. One officer wrestled Taylor from behind, trying to get the gun. The two other officers fired 12 to 15 shots from their semiautomatic pistols, killing Taylor and wounding their fellow officer.
After the shooting, police found that Taylor's weapon was a BB pistol - but one that was virtually indistinguishable from a .45-caliber pistol.
Townspeople had immediate reactions to the shooting.
Most identified with the police officers and the dangers of their job, saying they had no choice but to shoot in self-defense. Any person foolish or violent enough to pull a gun on an officer brought the consequences on himself, they said.
Others, talking on street corners or over a cup of coffee, wondered about the number of shots fired and whether that alone indicated excessive force. Some commented on the fact that one of the officers had Taylor by the neck from behind when the shooting occurred.
Some were concerned that the confrontation and shooting occurred in such a public location and that the officers were firing in the direction of a fellow officer. Others have called for an outside investigation and wondered whether even the state police and commonwealth's attorney - who have to work routinely with Blacksburg police - will provide impartial reviews.
Taylor's family, shocked by the sudden death of their son and cousin, expressed grief and outrage to town officials and to the public through the news media.
Now, a month later, we are awaiting the results of a state police probe into Taylor's death. The report will be turned over to the commonwealth's attorney for his review and a decision on whether the shooting was justifiable self-defense or whether the officers should face prosecution.
Just as it is valuable for the community to have a chance to meet and share its thoughts about the tragedy, it is even more important that the town and the commonwealth's attorney allow the community to read the state police report and know what occurred during this shooting.
Six weeks after the fatal confrontation, the community does not know many key facts - including the identity of the officers who fired the shots or what sort of planning preceded the attempt to apprehend Taylor.
It is not that the newspaper or those in the community expect any negative or sensational findings. It is not with a desire for Monday-morning quarterbacking. None of us would have wanted to be in those officers' shoes that day, having to make split-second, life-and-death decisions.
But the public needs the facts to make informed decisions. The newspaper's philosophy in reporting this case - and others - has been to tell people all the facts we can learn, and trust they are intelligent enough to form their own opinions. This philosophy has not made all of our readers happy. One called the day after the shooting to say the paper should not have reported that Taylor's gun was a BB pistol.
Yet the community itself is ultimately responsible for the actions of its officials. It has not only a right but a responsibility to know the facts and make a conscious decision about the way law enforcement and government are conducted by its representatives.
It is ironic that this tragedy should have happened to what is one of the most professional law enforcement agencies in the valley - the only local force accredited by an international organization. Many of us also have benefited from the professional and compassionate attention of the town's officers.
Blacksburg has always had an admirable record of openness and responsiveness to its residents. It should continue that policy in this case, which was tragic not just to the man who died but also to the officers involved.
Only with the facts can the community truly discuss and come to a resolution of this tragedy.
If you would like to respond to this column, please call 381-1645 and leave your comment, or write to Current, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg, Va. 24073, or send e-mail to currentbev.net.
Elizabeth Obenshain is the editor of the New River Valley Bureau of The Roanoke Times.
by CNB