POLICE SHOOTING: Unarmed Black Man Killed by White Deputy in "Taser Error"

In a story that sounds all too familiar, an unarmed black man was shot and killed by a white reserve deputy, who claimed he mistook his gun for his Taser.

Making matters worse, Oklahoma law enforcement can be seen in body-camera footage released over the weekend berating the man as he was on the ground dying.

In the footage, the suspect, Eric Courtney Harris, is heard saying, "Oh, God. Oh, he shot me; I didn't do [anything]!" as he's surrounded by members of the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office violent crimes task force following a case on foot.

A member of the task force is heard responding, "You didn't do [anything]? You didn't do [anything]? You hear me?"

When Harris says, "I'm losing my breath," and officer responds, "[Screw] your breath!"

Harris later died at the hospital.

The shooter has been identified as Robert Charles Bates, a 73-year-old reserve deputy and insurance executive. According to an investigator hired by the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, Bates didn't commit a crime in the April 2nd shooting. (Los Angeles Times)

Say What:

This epidemic has to stop.

Video is the best way to combat bad cops, but sometimes even that can fail in court.

If some cops are prosecuted, maybe it will make others stop and think before pulling the trigger.

Maybe it was an accident, but the behavior of the officers after Harris was shot is inexcusable.

Should a 73-year-old reserve deputy be on the street with a gun?