Doug Zerby: Family Photo
This story took place three years ago in Belmont Shores, California. A neighbor called 911 after seeing a strange man who appeared to be drunk and holding gun. The victim, Doug Zerby, 35, was visiting friends.
When the police arrived, they showered Zerby with bullets without speaking to him, or giving him any kind of warning. Police said Zerby allegedly pointed the hose head/nozzle at them and they thought he was pointing a gun. They added his behavior was consistent with someone about to shoot.
I would be tempted to believe the police on this, except the way the officer is demonstrating Zerby holding the hose, it seems a bit 'inconsistent' with the behavior of someone - holding a hose.
The family of Doug Zerby was awarded $6.5 Million in a civil suit settlement, April 2013. This story is circulating the internet due to the recent Hawthorne story, where a man was arrested for taping a crime scene. As he was being arrested, his dog jumped out of the car to protect him, and was killed in front of the him. The officers chose not to use their Tazer or club, and shot the dog to death in a horrible manner.
Note from Diarist: This story has been edited and updated. The original title read: 'Unarmed Man Shot And Killed By Police While Watering Plants.' Doug Zerby, was holding the hose nozzle, but was not watering plants. Also the story is much older than I realized. I did not do the proper research and I apologize. I would have deleted the story, but it's one that should be told, regardless. Special thanks to Claude and Jvance for their 'enlightenment'.
If you're not yet part of this community, do join. Daily Kos rocks and is spot on when it comes to integrity. 'Twas I who unintentionally, fucked up.
For those unable to access video, here are screenshots from the video:
(This diary was also cross-posted on
Liberals Unite.)