My Friend Reymon
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Philzone Refugee
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Reymon is a good dude I've made friends with since moving here in 2005. He is a little developmentally disabled and has a paralytic condition that disables his right arm. He was barely a teenager when he first started coming to my shop. He likes music and movies, and likes to talk about them. He usually doesn't spend a whole lot (he's on a fixed income), but he usually gets something, and is kind to others, respectful and pretty much your normal 25 year old trying to fit in and enjoy life. He likes Hip-Hop, the Seahawks and has a good sense of humor. He was a distracted kid when he first started coming in to my shop over ten years ago, and I've enjoyed seeing him grow into the focused young man he is now, and hearing of his triumphs such as when he got a job last year helping out developmentally disabled kids. Seeing the proud look on his face when he said he got a job and that he felt good to help out kids who he had been in the same position as are moments you never forget. Everyone who ever has worked for me likes him and has enjoyed getting to know him.
I was saddened yesterday when he called the shop to tell me he had been the victim of a SWATting incident at one of our local public libraries. He likes to go there regularly to check out cds and dvds, and was doing just that when a group of armed SPD officers entered the library with guns drawn and put him in handcuffs because someone had called 911 saying they were a suicidal 17 year old with a gun who was going to kill themselves in the library. Reymon doesn't look 17, but he was the only patron the officers saw in the library, so they approached him.
Here's the local news story, and the accompanying police body-cam video:
https://www.king5.com/mobile/article/news/local/seattle-police-blame-swa...
I'm very thankful my friend wasn't killed, but this has left him traumatized. I understand that the police were doing their job, but of all the people this could happen to, it sucks it had to be Reymon, who's life has already been tough enough. I hope they catch the person who made the prank call.
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Johnny D
That's absolutely horrific!
That's absolutely horrific! And heartbreaking.
People who SWAT should be charged with attempted murder (maybe that already is the standard charge).
Glad that he was able to keep his cool so well, with his life flashing before his eyes.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island
Johnny D said it. Horrible.
Johnny D said it. Horrible. Sad.
Dave, your friend Reymon has a good friend in you.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: I rang a silent bell
Very sad to have that
Very sad to have that happened to your friend Reymon. I really hope they catch the guy that made that call!
Why does it sound like bong hits at the start of that body-cam video???
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lucky Day
Terrible what happened to
Terrible what happened to this guy.
Is it possible you’re confusing the terms customer and friend?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
I'd say the relationship ha
I'd say the relationship ha evolved, Timmy.
When Reymon first started coming to the store, he was just some local kid with a few disabilities that presented some unique challenges.
He may have even shoplifted from us way back in the day, but I don't think he even knew that was wrong. One day, some stuff went missing, a couple of days later, the items were sitting outside our front door when we opened. I've met both his Mom and Grandma (they both look out for him and were probably making sure it was a safe environment for him). I could see them explaining to him why you shouldn't steal, and making him return those items.
He struggles with math, which makes checkout interesting, and tends to pull a lot of stuff out to look at, leaving a fair amount of restock work. On the other hand, he has developed greater empathy, and earned respect by showing the ability to learn, grow and help others.
He called me to ask me if I'd seen him on TV (the SWATting incident). Most customers call to ask me if I have something or if I want to buy their stuff, not to tell me what's going on in their lives. He's a dude who doesn't seem like he has too many friends.
It's possible to be both a customer and a friend. We're not BFF, but I care about his well-being. I don't have his phone number, so I haven't gotten any follow-up since he called me last week to tell me about this. Hopefully, he is getting help for the trauma he went through. I am glad he feels comfortable talking with me and my staff, and am glad to listen and be a friend if he needs one.
I'm saddened he had to experience this, and hope he's doing okay. I'll give an update if I hear anything more.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: vivalavuvuzela
At least cops showed
At least cops showed restraint and stayed calm, even though he crossed his arms when they made contact.
That's the most relaxed and non-forceful SWATting I've ever seen.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Johnny D
^I agree, VLV; however, it's
^I agree, VLV; however, it's a bit sobering that 4 armored/armed police officers (at least two with hand guns drawn, and one each with an assault rifle and shotgun) have to sneak into a small neighborhood library to ensure that someone does not kill himself.
Even "good guys with guns" make mistakes - and I'm glad that this encounter did not have a tragic ending.
I once had a non-verbal person on my caseload, who was good at taking public transportation independently. He was a bit quirky, keeping lots of stuff in his pockets (empty plastic bottles, balls of string, etc) and he almost always was wrapping string around a stick. After his day at the sheltered workshop, while waiting for his bus home, several police officers essentially accosted him with guns drawn and a leashed, snarling dog, ready to attack at the slightest provocation. Apparently, he matched the physical description of a person in the area who allegedly was armed and dangerous. Fortunately, one of the workshop staff witnessed the encounter and quickly explained the situation. It still scares me to think of what might have been...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Jay
Definitely unfortunate that
Definitely unfortunate that your customer/friend had to go through that situation. Watching the video though it seems the cops were courteous and polite; without the use of excessive force.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: skyjunk
Courteous and polite? If I
Courteous and polite? If I was sitting in the library minding my own business and they approached me and I was cooperating in their questions, not threatening in any manner, and then they stop and put me in cuffs to continue being polite to me, i would be offended and pissed.