The Asian community in Solon is requesting more answers on the recent shooting of a Chinese immigrant who was armed and wanted for rape. Jian Wei "John" Chen was shot in his Solon driveway by Chief Seth Riewaldt of the Aurora PD.
Chief Riewaldt was sitting outside Chen's Solon residence waiting for other officers help him serve a warrant. The chef confronted Chen as he tried leaving his driveway and a scuffle ensued. Chen discharged his firearm at the chief during the struggle - the chief returned fire hitting Chen in the head. Chen eventually died from his wounds. (Good Job Chief!).
The investigating agencies cleared the chief of any wrongdoing and the shooting was ruled justifiable. For me it was justifiable soon as Chen refused to obey orders and began shooting at the chief.
Confused on why this happened the Asian community in Solon now says they want an explanation (AGAIN) on why this happened....
From the PD --
Why were Aurora police in Solon, community leaders asked police and city officials in recent e-mails. Did Chen understand English? And why did police confront him in his driveway? "Is this normal practice in America?" they asked.
Zhou is one of 24 Asian-Americans - 10 of them physicians - who signed a Dec. 11 petition asking for an independent investigation into the shooting by a panel that includes a Chinese-American. An additional 40 people, a cross-section of the region's research and medical community, have since added their names to the letter addressed to the mayors and police chiefs of Solon and Aurora and to officials in Portage and Cuyahoga counties.
"We're not saying the police were wrong," Zhou said. "But a man was shot in his driveway. Maybe poor communication played a role. We just want to make sure police followed all the proper procedures and protocols, and we'd like to know what those are." More....
Obviously Zhou doesn't realize he will not get a straight answer from any elected official - so I will answer his concerns....
Mr. Zhou - First this shooting was a tragedy, but not for Chen. It is a tragedy that Chief Riewaldt has to live with being forced to take another persons life. This is a burden he will be forced to carry the rest of his life. In the United States most police officers would rather never have to shoot let alone pull their weapon - unlike in China.
Most of us in the United States welcome hard working immigrants coming here for an opportunity of a better life. It appears the Asian community in Solon is thriving and greatly contributing to improving the city of Solon. Don't ruin this by making yourself victims!
Regarding the shooting --- Chief Rienwaldt in the process of serving a warrant, by law can go where he needs to execute the warrant & apprehend the suspect. As a courtesy local police departments are notified - but is not mandatory.
Did Chen speak English? If he didn't - he should have! With the support services the Asian community offer immigrants in the area - it is Chen's and their fault he did not have at least a working knowledge of our language. Being the United States of America and English being the recognized language, our police officers do not need to speak another language. They are not required to carry translation books for each language of immigrants in their town.
Chen was confronted in his driveway because he tried leaving the scene as the chief executed the warrant. He was shot because it is customary in the U.S. for police to shoot back when fired upon.
Now the being nice is over.....
Your questions are a crock! Have you overdosed on MSG? A supposedly educated community needs to ask the questons you do?
CPD Officer Owens just lost his life confronting someone in their driveway for drinking beer. Chen was a suspect in a rape case against his ex-wife and threatened her with a gun. Had Chief Riewaldt hesitated the ground over his grave would be settling right about now!
Being from China and allegedly not knowing the American way - why would Chen think we are different from Chinese Authorities? Uneducated in our ways - would he not think our police would deal with in the same way as Chinese Police?
Would Chen have fired on Chinese Police? I highly doubt it!
Anytime something as profound as a killing happens obviously people want to know why. Many Chinese in the Solon area knew of this guy (at least they'd seen him around) and they just wanted to know what, exactly, happened to cause his life to be taken.
ReplyDeleteA public hearing was held last weekend with the police (during that nasty snowstorm) and the members of the Solon Chinese community who where there felt that the police explanation of events makes sense. They feel the situation was explained clearly and are satisfied with the situation. End of story. Thanks to the local police for being so helpful and understanding in explaining what happened.
That out of the way, your comment about "overdosing on MSG" tells me that you probably don't deserve the reasoned explanation and info I just gave you because, frankly, you come across like a small minded little prick.
Thanks for reading and commenting...
ReplyDeleteIt is nice that the Chinese Community now had their fears put to rest.
after having the reason for the shooting explained to them several times it is nice to see that a "special" meeting was called to once again explain the same thing over to them....
WHEN YOU SHOOT AT POLICE YOU MAY GET SHOT!
Were they confused because when they were in China, they WERE allowed to shoot at police?
It is nice to see the police are going WAY overboard in soothing the fears of the Duck Sauce Dipshits in Solon.
Having this explained to them at least 3 previous times, if the Sweet & Sour Zipperheads need an explanation on why their rapist freind was shot they too have no business being here. I wonder how great they did on their citizenship test if they don't know shooting at police in the US is illegal.
Oh BTW - I am a small minded BIG Prick!
Strange that the reports did not mention that the Aurora police department chief was romantically involved with Chen's estranged wife.
ReplyDeleteIt is also strange that Riewaldt, who was at Chen's residence the night before (in uniform and accompanied by SPD), returned the following morning, alone, when Chen did not answer the door the previous night.
It was ALSO strange that Riewaldt arrived that morning in plain clothes, in an unmarked vehicle, presumably his own.
While I understand that this is not condemning evidence, it certainly adds an air of distrust. There was certainly motive, opportunity, and means for this shooting.