Cop Charged in Copp GVSU Shooting

The story of the shooting of Grand Valley State University student Derek Copp, who was unarmed, during a drug raid, has received a good amount of attention.  Radley Balko has posted on the story here, here, and here.

The deputy who shot Copp, Ryan Huizenga, has been charged with careless discharge of a firearm.

The news article noting that Huizenga is being charged, is titled Friend says Ottawa Deputy Ryan Huizenga also deserves support during investigation of shooting of GVSU student Derek Copp, and as you can surmise from the headline, the gist of the article is sympathetic to Huizenga.

Let’s consider, for a moment though, why this shooting occurred.

Copp was shot during a drug raid.  One in which a warrrant had been issued, allegedly because Copp was selling marijuana.  So, acting on this warrant, the police “raid” Copps residence, with guns drawn, because he is evidently a very dangerous character, being a GVSU student and all, who is selling drugs.

When Copp responds to the cops pounding at his door, what does he do?  He answers the door, which I’m fairly certain most dangerous criminals simply just do not do, raises his hand to shield his eyes from the lights directed in his eyes by the police, and bang, he’s shot.  And over what?  For allegedly selling marijuana.

And just how much pot do the police find in their search of Copp’s residence?  A few tablespoons.

So now we have a young man who was shot, thankfully not mortally, who may still face drug charges, and a 12 year veteran of the police force, who carelessly discharged his firearm, facing charges, rightfully, and possibly the end of his career in law enforcement, over a few tablespoons of pot.

I ask you, was this all this drama worth agressively going after a young man over a few tablespoons of pot?

A rather extensive list of articles regarding this story can be read here.

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