Video Captures Cop Giving Shotgun to Civilian to Handle Situation
A shocking video that appeared on YouTube over the weekend shows an Illinois State Police trooper temporarily handing his state-issued shotgun to a citizen so that the citizen can dispatch an injured deer.
“The silent, 30-second video shows the uniformed trooper toting a shotgun and walking along I-74 with a man in civilian clothes,” reported the Peoria Journal Star. “They stop as they approach a deer, its hind legs incapacitated, apparently after being hit by a vehicle. The deer repeatedly hoists itself up on its front legs, lunging toward traffic, as if trying to pull itself to safety.”
The unnamed trooper then hands his shotgun to the civilian, who in turn raises it at the deer and pulls the trigger. The video ends shortly thereafter.
It remains unclear why the trooper gave his weapon away, even if only briefly, especially given that “Illinois State Police are required to maintain control of their firearms at all times,” as noted by the hunting blog Wide Open Spaces.
However, it’s believed by some that the trooper simply didn’t have the heart to kill the deer, even if that meant putting it out of its misery.
Watch the YouTube video below:
Regardless of the trooper’s intent, he’s reportedly been disciplined, according to Capt. Steven Riesenberg, the district commander.
“An investigation was conducted and discipline was handed down,” he said to the Star, though he declined to specify the exact form of punishment handed down.
He did note though that he “remediated the trooper on the shot placement to dispatch a deer,” according to the Star. “There’s a very specific spot.”
This suggests that the theory that the trooper didn’t have the heart to kill the deer is false. Rather, it seems he simply lacked the proper knowledge needed to carry out such an execution successfully.
Luckily for the trooper, he previously had a clean record, meaning his job likely isn’t on the line.
The Star reportedly tried to reach out to him, but apparently the law prevents him from responding.
“He cannot speak,” Riesenberg bluntly said.
Too bad, because many would really like to know his side of the story.
Please share this story on Facebook and Twitter and let us know what you think about what this Illinois State Police trooper did.
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