Police Kill Handicapped Man

An article by Matt Pearce titled, "Houston Police Shoot, Kill Pen-Waiving Amputee in Wheelchair" was posted in the Los Angeles Times on September 23, 2012, describing a series of tragic events that took place Saturday morning in Houston, Texas. Houston police killed a mentally ill, handicapped man, named Brian Claunch, with one arm and one leg in a personal care home, after he supposedly threatened them with a pen. Although the middle-aged man may have lost his sanity, the double amputee could not possibly hurt the policemen from his wheelchair with a pen. Therefore, there was no reason to shoot and kill him. Other, non-violent measures could have been taken in order to detain Claunch. Matthew Marin, the officer who shot and killed Brian Claunch has been placed on administrative leave until the shooting has been thoroughly investigated by the Harris County prosecutor's office and Houston Police Department's internal affairs division. Claunch's murder was both uncalled for and unjustifiable. Hopefully, Marin is punished accordingly.