Johnathan Cuevas, 20

"Allegedly reached into his waistband as he started to run” Once again an incompetent cop justifies killing a suspect because it appeared he reached into his waistband. There has to be accountability and the cop should be charged with murder and sent to jail. The outcome is the young suspect is gone forever and his love ones will be in pain, if not for their rest of their lives then for a very long time. The cop will walk away scott free and continue to patrol the street and maybe he will take another suspect’s life away. There are way too many incidents of cops pulling the trigger without thinking about it. If they can’t handle this type of situations they don’t belong in the force. I don’t support criminals, but I support human life.

People don't get it!! Why would you reach into your waistband for a gun, when there's a cop in front of you, who really knows how to use one. This is a good candidate for World's Dumbest Criminals.

this guy was up too no good he was out too take a life thank the police for taking this guy out before he takes a another life

Meck, there's nothing in the article indicating the suspect had a gun. Why is your statement indicating he was reaching for a gun? rosehill90032, how doyou know he was out to take a life?

Jab ..... " .... A handgun was recovered at the scene, Castro said."

Id say it was his and the only reason he had it was to kill or terrorize people.

Why did he run? I've been approached by police several times and never has running even crossed my mind. Mhm, why would anyone run from a cop?

The gun was recovered at the scene....that doesnt mean he had it on him..So what happened to the other two guys he was with? And just because he had a gun doesnt mean he was out to kill someone...Its called PROTECTION! nowdays who doesnt carry a gun...no one wants to get caught slippin especially if they look like they bang or just simply being bald! Why did this cop shoot at him though...If it says he "allegedly reached into his waistband as he started to run" ...Run where? i really doubt this guy was running towards the cop reaching for his waistband...This guy was running away and this pig shot him...If he was running away then this guy had his back to the cop...so how can he fear for his life...Im tired of hearing of cops killing ppl...most are innocent so sad how easy it is to end someones life and hes not gonna pay for it just like the rest of these cops. R.I.P Johnathon Cuevas

assuming the article is stating all the facts,,

1. A person reaches into their waistband and attempts to run

and

2. A gun WAS found @ the scene

why would any excuse be given for that alone? That ALONE says something was not right because COMMEN SENSE tells a person especially whom supposively poses NO THREAT to comply to a officer. (especially if he/she is legally possesing a gun for their protection,, lets just assume that) Why attempt to flee,, why even make a gesture that would even allude you to be a possible threat? Come on now, the officer is also trying to protect his/her life as well and has NO IDEA what they are coming in contact with. And finally to find a gun @ the scene too? Come on now. But common sense just does not seem to be all that COMMON now a days because we want to make excuses all the time.

he was a gang banger an his luck ran out

CJ, so anyone who carries a gun should be shot and killed by cops? Also, any person who runs away from a cop should also be shot and killed? How about just arresting the person and sending him to jail?

— Jag, how about if your armed in public and youre running from the police, you should be stopped any possible way, so that no one from the public is hurt by the gunman.

i dont know what happened but no one has a call to a death sentence the man was killed by a pig and his gone.... when judgment come we will pay for our sins and just let him go he wants to rest ... Rest in paradise ...

— anarida, why you call the police officer a "pig" when it's your friend who decided to carry a weapon and brandish it.

Mr. Cuevas made some bad decisions in life. But they were of his choice. And this is what it brought him.

anarida-
Condolences on the loss of your friend. You will get over it in time, I know ...for it hardly bothers me at all.

Okay, there are lots of unanswered questions on both sides.

1. Cuevas shouldn't have run. To run means to a cop that you are guilty of something. Cops are quick to shoot...and they don't know how to aim for a leg or arm...

2. The cop approached several men and was alone? How did he get so close to them and surprise them. Dudes in the hood I know are quick to spot 5-0, and seem to have instinctive radar.

3. It is possible that the cop and Cuevas knew each other. I am not gonna go further than that, but you all know how this city really works, right?

4. Just because a gun was found, doesn't mean it was Cuevas's gun. Sometimes information is included in media stories that lead readers/viewers to assume that "suspects" had a weapon.

5. AGAIN, Why would a solo cop approach 3 dudes at 12:30 am. Most cops are more cautious than that...unless they know the dudes in questions...

6. Just how many bullet holes were in the kid's body? That is important to know.

7. Has anyone asked if the shooter and victim knew each other?

8. Is there video from the patrol car?

9. Do these questions matter?

As to #9,you all have to understand that these kind of events will continue until the underlying causes of economic inequality continue. To solve the problem, society needs to address what causes people to have to participate in gang/drug/other illegal activity. It hasn't always been like this...at least the sheer numbers of young men and women involved in gang related incidents.

This all sucks. I have friends who are cops, and friends who are criminals. I tend to give them both a lot of space, cuz I don't need the drama...

...But I can see both sides of this issue. Can you?

John,
item #1 is very true.
Items 2,3 and 5 is speculation.
Item #4, the probability of the gun belonging to the deceased is very high.
Item #6 and 7 is irrelevant
Item #8, the cameras only show the front of the car.

As for #9, I have been saying for a few years on this blog; change begins at the ballot box. And until the citizens of these neighborhoods begin to hold their elected officials accountable, then nothing is going to change.

Although it is sad to see another young life cut short it is almost something to get use to. This happens way to often to be shocking yet it is sad. Maybe if these young men would wear a belt, instead of "saggin" they could run without reaching to pull up their pants and be mistaken for reaching for a weapon. God bless this family

Yes everyone is quick to judge based on what you read in the newspaper or hear from the media. The facts will come out soon and it will show you that these "PIGS" are corrupt and cover up for each other....I have asked for the cameras that where at that intersection and til this day I have not got a response.. Why didnt the "PIGS" tell you how many times they shot him while he had his hands up, and where they shot him?They shot him 2 times on the back and turned him over and shot him several times in the chest.If my son was down with the two shots and he surrendered why did he turn him over and shot him the other times...my son was running away from him not towards him so wat threat was he to that "PIG"? They portray my son as a criminal monster but the truth is he was not....he was a very loving son, brother, father, uncle, and boyfriend. His son was his world. He did so much for people, he was always giving. It breaks my heart that my grandson will never have the opportunity to hug or kiss his father because a "PIG" took his fathers life...Also why did they take more than 8 hours to notify the family if he was 3 blocks from home and he had his ID on him and his phone..He called me 10-15 minutes before the shooting...Why couldnt the "PIGS" notify me that something happened to my son sooner...The "PIGS" have destroyed a family forever and shattered so many hearts.I thought the "PIGS" were taught not to use deadly force as the first option unless their lifes where in immediate danger...What happened to the tazer guns or rubber bullets or bean bags first? I just want all this unjustified shooting to STOP...I dont want another family to go through what my family is going through..WE NEED TO STOP POLICE BRUTALLITY NOW AND HAVE THEM BROUGHT TO JUSTICE!!!!!!

Mijo, there is not a day that goes by that I dont think of you....I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!
Day by day I think of you,
How can all this be true?
I can't believe you are really gone,
I still can't accept it,
Even after so long,
Just the thought of you makes me cry,
I never even got a chance to say goodbye
Every picture , every letter,
I don't know if it will get better,
I always smell your familiar scent,
It makes me think of all the moments we spent.
So many things I never got to say,
I never imagined you'd be so far away,
I'll never forget your soothing voice,
I would take your place if I had a choice,
But now I hate to let you rest,
Because without you my world is a mess,
I miss you with all my heart,
I wish we never had to part,
I know that you are always by my side,
So I guess this is my goodbye.......LOVE YOU MY ONE AND ONLY SON

i pass thru the street this took place often, theres a make shift memorial there and wonder what happen to this person, in my opinion, if you have a weapon on you while a cop approaches you and you run after being commanded to stop, ANY move to your waistband warrants deadly force, this cop has a family too, and has trained instincts to react quick, sorry to johnathans family, hope this lesson is preached to his siblings.

I actually went to school with this person and knew him enough to know he was not a killer or a terrorist... he was a good person it just sucks how good people have to leave our sides. May he rest in peace.

I knew the guy from high school and I can tell he's not the type of guy to do some thing like that but what I can tell u is that if your not from the area you will never know how the sheriff deputies are they are known to beat guys for no reason or plant something on you if they want you to go to jail they usually take these things from street gangs like untraceable gun this is what you would call dirty cops