VIC:Cop haunted by teen shooting death

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2010
VIC:Cop haunted by teen shooting death

By Michelle Draper

MELBOURNE, Dec 17 AAP - A police sergeant involved in the fatal shooting of Tyler Cassidy
says he is haunted by the tragedy every day and doesn't know how he will explain it to
his children.

An emotional Sergeant Colin Dods told the Victorian Coroners Court inquest on Friday
that Tyler's death had affected not only on the teenager's family but the police officers
involved.

The 15-year-old had armed himself with two large knives and confronted police before
he was shot dead on December 11, 2008.

Under cross-examination from Chris Dane QC, who asked Sgt Dods if he had anything to
say to Tyler's family, the officer replied: "I think the whole incident is a tragedy.

"I think it's a tragedy that a grieving widow is now a grieving mum.

"I think it's a tragedy that Tyler didn't have the tools, if you will, to be able to
cope with the situation he found himself in.

"But as a corollary to that I also think it's a tragedy that me and my colleagues have
to live with this.

"One day my girl's going to ask me if I've used a gun, and I don't know how I'm going to answer."

Sgt Dods said he was unable to speculate on whether any of the six shots he fired was
the fatal bullet that killed Tyler.

He told the inquiry he did everything he could, including spraying capsicum foam, firing
warnings shots and aiming at Tyler's legs, before resorting to lethal fire.

"There may come a day when I receive some discipline for it, but I take some moral
comfort from what I did," he told the inquest on Friday.

Tyler had been waving the knives and threatening to kill the police officers while
suggesting they should shoot him during the standoff at Northcote's All Nations Park,
the inquest has heard.

Sgt Dods said after two years he was at a loss as to what he could have done differently.

"I go over it every day," he said.

Earlier, the inquest heard Tyler appeared "calculated, impassive and cold" when he
confronted police at the skate park.

Sgt Dods said after taking a phone call during the standoff Tyler hung up on the caller
and raised his knives towards police.

"He had a real stare to him," Sgt Dods told the inquest.

"He really seemed to have made up his mind to carry out whatever it is he wanted to do.

"It was just a calculated, impassive and cold (expression on his face)."

The inquest before State Coroner Judge Jennifer Coate continues.

AAP md/pmu/jl/nb

KEYWORD: CASSIDY WRAP

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