Vol. 74/No. 40      October 25, 2010

Paulino, 24, was on antidepressant medication and upset about his inability to find a job, according to friends and family. In the early morning hours of October 3 he allegedly called 911 and said, "I want you to call the cops because I'm ready to kill… . I'm ready to kill some cops right now."

When six cops arrived, Paulino was fighting with his girlfriend on a street corner. As the police approached, he said, "Stay out of my business," according to witnesses. Police say he wielded a four-inch knife and lunged at them after being hit with Taser darts.

Two cops opened fire, shooting him nine times, several times in the chest.

"He was walking in circles, not lunging," Elisabeth Rodriguez told the Daily News. Family and friends told various media that despite their pleas the police made no effort to calm him down.

Paulino's cousin, Alex Candalerio, said, "No one even gave the kid a chance." He also said that no Taser was used on Paulino, despite police statements.

The city's media was quick to defend the police action. A New York Post headline read, "Cops kill madman."

A Daily News editorial justified the shooting and criticized New York City councilman Ydanis Rodriguez for standing with Paulino's mother and asking for an investigation of the shooting. The editorial concluded, "Paulino was deranged. And that's why he's dead. He gave the cops no choice."

“Suicide by cop.” There is no such thing; only the callous killing of a mentally disturbed young man.  
 
 
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