Hundreds of people gathered Sunday night in Guadalupe to call for peace in the wake of the death of a teenager, shot and killed by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
Family members of 19-year-old Joel Smith tell ABC15 they've seen outrage in their community from people upset over his death.
Smith's aunt says she hopes Sunday's peaceful demonstration keeps people from taking action on the anger they're feeling.
Last Thursday morning, Tempe Police responded to an attempted burglary call near Priest and Guadalupe.
A deputy from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office also responded to the call and a spokesperson for MCSO claims Smith pulled a knife on the deputy.
The deputy says he felt threatened so he shot Smith.
Smith died a short time later at the hospital.
Sunday night, a crowd of several hundred people marched to the spot where Smith was shot Thursday morning.
Many of them carried candles with them and some wore shirts with Smith's picture on it.
Smith's aunt was asked by reporters if she felt her nephew's death was justified.
"It's hard to say because we don't have all the facts," said Maria Vacaneri. "Bottom line, he did something wrong and there should have been consequences. I do feel maybe overreaction by the police department was taken and other measures could have possibly been taken to prevent something like this."
At least one of the vigil's organizers told ABC15 Smith was simply putting his hands in the air to surrender when he was shot.
Sheriff's deputies maintain he had a knife and was threatening them.
Engaged Voter posted at 12:50 pm on Mon, Sep 17, 2012.
Family members admit he was "doing something wrong".
The "In Loving Memory" picture shows him flashing a gang sign.
What exactly are they protesting?
vanjax posted at 1:25 pm on Mon, Sep 17, 2012.
Curious how the outraged citizens all have an opinion about overreacting when NONE of them were present during the incident.....what was the proper response to a gangbanging burglar threatening a deputy with a knife?
Juggernaut8000 posted at 1:36 pm on Mon, Sep 17, 2012.
It's good this little scu mbag has been dispatched of. His gangsta' picture, along with that nice gang sign, are clear that the police have saved us taxpayers hundreds of thousands in incarceration and court fees.
Engaged Voter, now just wait for a family member or friend to decry our mean comments and plea he was getting on the straight track and coming clean; despite threatening a cop and getting shot.
Jesus Christo de Nogales posted at 1:56 pm on Mon, Sep 17, 2012.
Why is Joe hunting down these poor Illegal Irish Occupiers? He should deport them back to, to, back to, oh well back to wherever these Illegal Irish Ocuppiers come from!
Yanos posted at 2:14 pm on Mon, Sep 17, 2012.
@Engaged Voter - The excesive force used when a person on one side of a canal is shot by someone else on another side of a canal. Seems like a logical protest.
@vanjax - Curious how you, who where not there as well has an opinion about overreacting when you were not their either. Could he have been putting his hands up knife in hand and when he was told to drop it, he didn't hear? I don't know, I wasn't there either. I am concerned as to why there TWO shoots fired one in the neck and one in the stomach, either would have been enough to bring someone down and how many were dug out of the wall behind him. I don't know of anyone stupid enough to take a knife to gunfight.
@Juggernaut 8000 - I am so glad you have been awarded the gift of seeing inside a person's soul and can read their future. Maybe money was saved because he would have grown up to be trouble, maybe he would have turned his life around and become a life guard and saved your kid from drowning one day. We will never know. My heart aches for people like you that do not know the love and peace of Jesus Christ. Someone who has never read the beatitudes or trys to live a Christ inspired life. Good luck in your life and if someone shoots a family member of yours for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, I expect you to use the same words to describe your family member.
Juggernaut8000 posted at 2:46 pm on Mon, Sep 17, 2012.
Yanos,
If I had a family member that brandished a knife in front of a cop and was greased, I would applaud the officer for doing what he/she was trained to do. Tragic, but approriate.
This kid was a tu rd and should have never had a knife in his hand when confronted by a cop. I don't know where the jesus christ fairy tale plays a role here, other than to show how gullible and blind to society you really are. Grow up, it is 2012 and cops have a hard enough time without liberals like you bit ching at them when they defend themselves.
Yanos posted at 4:02 pm on Mon, Sep 17, 2012.
@Juggernaut8000
Should you be walking down the banks of a canal and IF you had a knife in your hand and anyone pointing a gun at you said, "Hands Up." You would raise your hands, you might, looking down the barrel of a gun, not think to drop what you are holding. I hope that you never come into a situation like that.
The officer is (or at least should be) trained to "potect and serve". All members of the uniformed services are so trained. Two bullets, neck and stomach, three dug out of the wall. hmmm. Is his aim that bad, or was the kid that far away?
Was it better to "grease" a 19 year old possible suspect or was there a vendetta on this kid?
Do you know this kid? Are you speaking from actual knowledge. If you know him them you must be a as you described him. If you don't know him you are sharing with us your ignorance.
I am not blind to society, nor am I that gullible and I have never been accused of being a liberal before. You don't know all the facts to this case and you call me gullible. You have no faith and you call me blind? You have no heart and call me a spinner of fairy tales.
Cops do have a hard time, and making tough calls in tough situations that may or may not be correct is a hard thing to deal with. Taking someone's life is hard thing to deal with, even if they deserved it. But that does not mean that he gets a pass, it means he gets the benefit of the doubt, it is the 21st century not 1880 Tombstone.
I do find it odd that I call for compassion for a family who will be burying their child and you start to call me names. A call for compassion is not a demonstration of child like qualities. However, I would encourage you to read your advice to me and take it to heart.
samkat posted at 9:32 pm on Mon, Sep 17, 2012.
Jesus: What a racist comment. How do you know they were illegal Irish?
Yanos: The cop did exactly what he was trained to do in the face of danger.
Yanos posted at 7:43 am on Tue, Sep 18, 2012.
@Samkat
The Sheriff's Deputy may or may not have been justified in the shooting. Law enforcement has to make very tough calls, with very limited information, in a split second. God bless the Men and Women who try to keep our streets safe.
I know that no matter what happened there is a family, who is going to bury a 19 year old. I don't care what the kid did during his life, there is a FAMILY that is hurting, that is never going to hear their kid's voice again. And saying things like "greased" etc. does not help this situation, it inflames.
The facts will come out, the Deputy deserves the benefit of the doubt, but can we not let a family mourn the loss of a child? Anyone who has lost a child for any reason can surely understant that.
Maddog posted at 9:13 am on Tue, Sep 18, 2012.
First of all the suspect and another juvenile attempted an armed burglary but fled when they found out someone was home. Tempe P.D. and MCSO confronted the suspect several times while he ran through the neighborhood. Each time he would threaten police brandishing the knife then run. The Deputy who shot him was Not on the other side of the canal he was 20-30 feet away. The Deputy ordered him several times to drop the knife but he refused. The suspect gestured with both hands challenging the Deputy to come and get him. When the Deputy stood his ground the suspect advanced with the knife in his hand. The suspect brought a knife to a gun fight! The end!
DonMey posted at 2:07 pm on Tue, Sep 18, 2012.
"It's hard to say because we don't have all the facts," said Maria Vacaneri. "Bottom line, he did something wrong and there should have been consequences. I do feel maybe overreaction by the police department was taken and other measures could have possibly been taken to prevent something like this." "
Probably the most reasoned response I've ever seen by a family member.
@Yanos - Two shots is well within reason...I would've expected three shots center-mass, as cops shoot to kill, always. And if the cop seeing a knife isn't in question, then the shooting was justified.
Yanos posted at 8:55 am on Wed, Sep 19, 2012.
I agree that Maria Vacaneri's response is the most reasoned response and very civil. If Maddog's information is correct about the series of events that lead to this outcome then I can't blame the deputy, and if he hesitated, we might be having a different discussion here.
I have only seen what has been in the news, and some of the "witnesses" did not mention a knife. If it was Bic pen and the kid was advancing, in that split second the deputy had to make a choice, a hard choice. I have faith the truth will come out in this, but I don't think anyone should be trying to make more of this than they should.
I don't care if the kid was Al Capone or newbie, this was a hard thing for the Peace Officer to do even though he was trained, taking a life is never easy. He will be replaying in his mind over and over. I have seen too many law enforcement professionals crippled by events like this. It is also tough on the parents and siblings of the kid.
The kid is gone, lets look to those that are left.
Juggernaut8000 posted at 2:29 pm on Wed, Sep 19, 2012.
Agreed.
hellno posted at 5:55 pm on Tue, Oct 2, 2012.
frist of all none of u know whad at ur talking about . we take what we read in the news and take it for truth . frist of all this kid was not involed in a break in , he had just finshed breakfast at a family members home and had just walk out and was walking at the end of the street and thats were he was murdered . as for the gang sign i guess the guy who posted his family posted him with a gang sign this guy must be a gang member as he thinks he knows it all aout gangs . this kid was a kid , he wasnt a gang member . he was just a kid . of corse no one would take the word of a citzen from guadalupe over a pig . well protesting i guess if ur child had been gunned down like a dog u would be protesting . oh but u must live in white america , where they talk to u when u act like a brat
hellno posted at 5:58 pm on Tue, Oct 2, 2012.
joe needs to get out of guadalupe and let them police them self . then maybe kids will have a chance . maybe the police would know how to taz not shoot
hellno posted at 5:59 pm on Tue, Oct 2, 2012.
you people make me sick . this kid was two yrs advanced in school . on the track team . he was a good kid . now hes just dead
hellno posted at 6:02 pm on Tue, Oct 2, 2012.
if he was close enough to feel threaten he was close enough to taz . he could of shot him in the leg arm , those shot were deadly . they didnt even air vac him . he was a kid
hellno posted at 6:03 pm on Tue, Oct 2, 2012.
and mad dog ur a dog maybe we should send the msco
hellno posted at 6:09 pm on Tue, Oct 2, 2012.
good crippled for life i hope every time he closes hs eyes he sees the face of this kid /
hellno posted at 6:10 pm on Tue, Oct 2, 2012.
maybe he'll see the beautiful smile that he always had before he was shot down and murdered
olddady posted at 6:09 pm on Wed, Oct 24, 2012.
The same standard, Coach Factory Onlinein nearly identical language, is found in guidelinesLouis Vuitton Belt used by some Medicare contractors, which review and pay Coach Outlet Storeclaims on behalf of the government. Gucci BeltIn a typical case, Medicare terminated coverage Coach Factory Outlet Onlineof skilled nursing care and physical therapy for Coach Factory Storean 81-year-old woman because she had Coach Factory Online“exhibited a decline in functional status.”Coach Factory OutletUnder the settlement, the federal court in Vermont will certify Coach Outlet Onlinea nationwide class of more than 10,000 Medicare beneficiaries Coach Bags Outletwhose claims for skilled nursing and therapy services Coach Factory Onlinewere denied before Jan. 18, 2011, when the lawsuit was filed. Coach Factory Outlet OnlineMany of them will have an opportunity to have theirCoach Outlet Online claims re-examined under the revised standards.Plaintiffs in the Coach Factory Outletcase include the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Hermes Beltthe Parkinson’s Action Network, Paralyzed Veterans of Coach Factory OnlineAmerica and the National.
olddady posted at 12:02 am on Mon, Oct 29, 2012.
OurCoach Outlet Online victory was complete, and our objectives within reach, when Red China intervened with numericallyCoach Outlet Online superior ground forces.This created a new war and an entirely new situation, Coach Outleta situation not contemplated when our forces were committedCoach Factory Outlet against the North Korean invaders; a situation which called for new decisions in the diplomatic Gucci Beltsphere to permit the realistic adjustment of military strategy.Such decisions have not been forthcomingLouis Vuitton Outlet.While no man in his right mind would advocate sending our ground forces into continental China,Louis Vuitton Outlet and such was never given a thought, the new situation did urgently demand a drastic revision of strategic planningLouis Vuitton Outlet if our political aim was to defeat this new enemy as we had defeated the old.Apart from the military needLouis Vuitton Belt, as I saw It, to neutralize the sanctuary protection given the enemy north of the Yalu, Louis Vuitton OutletI felt that military necessity in the conduct of the war made necessary: first the intensification of our economic blockade against China; two the imposition of a naval blockade against the China coast;
Miami Heats Snapback Hats posted at 7:59 pm on Tue, Nov 20, 2012.
With the ever Miami Heats Snapback growing world of E-Commerce becoming a first choice for many consumers, you may be wondering what you are missing in this dynamic field of shopping and entertainment. Miami Heats Snapback Hats The fact is Shopping online is quickly becoming the method of choice for many consumers because of the AMAZING advantages it presents. While Miami Heat Hats there are literally hundreds of advantages, for this article we will delve into 5 major advantages and discuss why E-Commerce is NFL Snapback Hats taking the world by storm.
1. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: What NBA Snapback Hats could be a bigger hurdle for you than location? If you live in a small town where there aren't many megastores or shopping malls it could be hard for you to find the Milwaukee Bucks Snapback Hats product you are looking for without traveling all over creation to track it down. However, with the internet and online shopping you have worldwide access at your fingertips. Oklahoma City Thunder Snapback Hats No store is too far and they are never closed. Not to mention, sitting in the comfort of your own home and not having to fight traffic, Orlando Magic Snapback Hats weather, or crowds. Not having to change clothes, do your hair or drive. You don't have to do anything but click a mouse a few times and have your desired product brought to you. This far outweighs options like the mall at christmas time or mail order. Baltimore Ravens Snapback Hats It also blows away ordering by phone because you can browse the website, gather information, look at all of their products without being pressured into buying Buffalo Bills Snapback Hats something site unseen and without the proper information.
2. NO OVERHEAD OR INVENTORY: Chicago Bears Snapback Hats Now you might be saying how does this affect me? I am not the store owner. No you are not, but if the store owner doesn't have to pay costly fees like rent, Cleveland Browns Snapback Hats electric or stock his store then his profit margin rises thus he is able to sell his product at a much cheaper price and still make a profit. When Dallas Cowboys Snapback Hats shopping I can't think of a better idea than getting name brand Denver Broncos Snapback Hats merchandise at discount prices. Combine this with not having to fight crowds at sales or any of the other problems listed in reason #1 and this becomes a very big luxury for the Online Shopper.
3. SCHEDULING: Have kids? Work odd hours at your job? Is it hard for you to get to the store when they are open and find a babysitter or just the time? Detroit Lions Snapback Hats Online stores never close. This allows you to shop at your leisure, not at specific times. This feature saves you time and energy as well as Green Bay Packers Snapback Hats easing you into the shopping experience where you don't feel rushed or pressured. It allows you to take your time and look around to find exactly what you want so that you are 100% satisfied with your purchase. I can't tell you how many times, New England Patriots Snapback Hats because of my schedule, that I've purchased things at 3AM whereas I wouldn't have been able to find time otherwise.
4. COMPETITION: Competition is New Orleans Saints Snapback Hats fierce on the internet. If one store is selling a product then it's likely there are hundreds more selling the same product all competing for your sale. As with all business, competition leads to good things for the consumer. If competition is high then they have to battle for your business. This can mean more incentives, bigger markdowns, and bigger sales. These are all tremendous advantages for the shopper. Many retail stores can't keep up in pricing wars with the megacenters but online almost all business can obtain wholesale pricing allowing everyone an even playing field making pricing favor the consumer heavily.
5. SIMPLICITY AND AVAILABILITY: Oakland Raiders Snapback Hats When shopping online it is rare that you will run into an item that is completely out of stock all over the internet. This allows for you to find what you need when you need it. Unlike in retail stores where if they are out of stock you must travel to another store the internet allows you to make a few clicks and go to another supplier. It creates simple checkouts and Philadelphia Eagles Snapback Hats easy paperwork by emailing receipts to you so you don't have to track little slips of paper all over the place. Online shopping takes almost all forms of payment and sometimes has options for payment that retail stores do not have.
As you can see there are many advantages to being Pittsburgh Steelers Snapback Hats an online shopper. You can see by the evidence above why the world is leaning more toward E-Commerce. I have a feeling that in the future it will be harder and harder for the retail stores to keep up. With time, money and energy being harder and harder for us to come by these days, what better way to shop than to save on all three.