Why Do Cops Always Get Away With Murder
THE DIRTY ARMY: Nik, on January 14, 2013, a young man with Down Syndrome went with his companion to see Zero Dark Thirty at the Regal Cinema in Frederick, MD. At the end of the movie, apparently because he wanted to see it again, he refused to get out of his seat. A Regal employee, rather than allowing him to stay and dealing with the situation later with his parents and the companion, called not one, not two, but three off duty Frederick County police officers who were working security for the theater at the time.
According to published reports, when the officers/ security guards asked him to leave, he mouthed off at them and “resisted arrest”. Those of you who know my son Landon can visualize what this would look like. In response, the officers wrestled him to the ground where he asphyxiated in handcuffs. The handcuffs were removed and EMS called and according to the police news release he later died at the hospital. I don’t know how that reconciles with the coroner’s finding of asphyxiation which I thought was pretty immediate.
The price of a ticket at the cinema is between $9 and $11. The additional cost to Regal of allowing him to watch the movie again was ZERO. But instead a beloved young man died on the floor of a movie theater in his neighborhood at the hands of people he was taught would protect him. The police officers remain on duty and were allowed to invoke their rights as police officers not to provide statements even though they were not on duty or performing official duties at the time. They were security guards in police uniforms.
The county police are investigating and the story has received local news coverage. Please share this everywhere both to ensure justice but also to raise public awareness. Thank you Nik.
What a disturbing way to lose your son. RIP Landon.- nik
HORRIBLE! What is wrong with people, let alone the ‘police???’
So sorry to the family for the loss of an innocent person
RIP Landon
I think i’m staying inside for the next 45 years or so
This is awful, but I don’t understand why everyone is blaming the cinema? They had every right to deny him another viewing without payment. Handicapped people want to be treated like everyone else, right? Then pay to go to a theater!
Actually as usual, the cops are to blame. YOU LIVE IN AN OFFICIAL POLICE STATE, ‘MERIKA. Wake the fuck up. This is what cops do.
You’re a moron. You cannot always use reason to get someone to understand when they are mentally incapable of fully grasping why the thing they are doing is wrong. What issue will you tackle next? Maybe how toddlers should have to get a job and live on their own because they are beginning to develop feelings of autonomy. Dipshit.
You clearly have NEVER worked with people with disabilities. Go educate yourself.
God Bless
Sad and tragic.
Don’t the police officers have some sort of training about dealing with someone with a disability?
This just made me absolutely sick. Police brutality on a whole other level…I have a cousin with downsyndrome and she is very stubborn in nature as well…it is unfathomable that someone would treat a handicapped person who simply doesn’t know better like a delinquint acting out of rebellion.You would think trained officers would be educated on dealing with the handicapped but no. Please I want to hear more about this and I want to hear news of those cops being brought to justice!! Someone must do something this calls for severe consequences!!
Every corrupt cop needs to be shot in the fucking face. EVERY ONE of them. Fuck these lying murdering pieces of shit. How many cowards does it take to murder a special needs child? We need more Christopher Dorners to deal with scumbags like these.
I just read this on abc news also, and it is just like the Kelley Thomas beating in Fullerton, ca a couple years ago. These cops are thugs!
Next step, GET A HIGH PRICED ATTORNEY.
File a wrongful death suit and have them put Regal, the county that hired the cops, and each cop by full name as defendents.
No money can makeup for a loss child but can make life much easier.. I’m sure 10-20 million is suffice.
Exactly….to the OP, you need Gloria Allred’s number ASAP!
I really don’t think what the cops did was justifiable in any manner but the part that really pisses me off about this story is that people make a big deal that the cinema employee called security. Society always says not to treat people with disabilities any differently so it wouldn’t have been fair for the employee to let him stay and ask anyone else that tried the same thing to leave the theater. The rest of the story however is truly disturbing and should not be taken lightly.
It is funny how cops try to bully and hurt people that are defenseless like this poor guy. They will never try to do that to a thug or gangsta. Pussy ass cops. That is why we applaud when guys like Dormer went hunting for these cowards
Mac daddy, go play with your purple crayon and fat white ho. Tnb
Obviously you paid no attention to the DOR-N-ER story at all. He killed INNOCENT civilians and cops he had never met. Why are you lumping all cops in with these 3 fucktards? I’ve never had any issues with police. Maybe because I treat them with the same respect I treat all human beings. And yes, I have been caught breaking the law.
As for this situation, it’s disgusting and wrong. RIP Landon.
This poor defenseless guy is probably 100 times stronger than you. Not saying I don’t feel bad that this young man died, but mentally handicapped or not, he knows better. If he is there without his parents, they obviously think he is smart enough to handle situations. The cinema wanted this man out of the theatre and the police were doing their job. It’s unfortunate that this was the result. With all the cop haters on the dirty I’m wondering if Nik shouldn’t turn this into a criminal network. The only people that hate cops are the ones that have been arrested.
I am so sorry for your loss. Police are trained to handle all kinds if situations. Unfortunately there are a few police officers that make horrible descions that cause anguish and pain because of those descions. May Landon R.I.P
Crooked cops with huge egos. Just sickening, why aren’t they investigating real crimes? RIP and I hope and pray justice is served.
That Dorner guy is looking pretty good about now.
That is absolutely horrible. My heart goes out to your family and I am so very sorry for your loss. It’s disgusting how police officers and other authoritative figures are above the law. Disgusting.
It’s pretty obvious now that the government and police really don’t care about you. And if they did, then they would fire bad cops who kill innocents but they don’t.
It wasn’t Landon that was killed, I think that the woman was saying her child has down syndrome as well. His name is Robert Ethan Saylor and it happened Jan 12th. http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/national_world&id=8998700
RIP LANDON
This is a horribly sad story. No one should end up dead for refusing to leave a movie theater. That said, it’s amazing how all of you immediately turn on the police officers. As if they wanted it to end this way. Ridiculous. Clearly it was an accident. A tragic accident. And yes, there should be more training on how to handle people with special needs. But I just can’t tolerate when ignorant people blame the police. Who would you idiots call when someone’s breaking into your house when your family is inside? As with ANYONE in ANY profession there are the bad seeds But don’t diss police officers in general. Most of them are wonderful people who put their own asses in danger to protect strangers everyday.
Stfu Jenn. Have you ever dealt with the pigs. They do not put there own asses on the line. They are legalized thugs. I hope you feel their wrath one day. Stupid b*tch!
One day you’ll need a police officer, and I’m sure you won’t be calling them pigs when you call for their help. Sure, LOTS of cops are disgusting. But it’s IGNORANT of you to lump the occasional shitty cop with all the noble ones. Something tells me you’ve had your share of trouble with the law.
^^^ Sounds to me that you’re still bitter about your dumb ass getting caught breaking the law. Boo fucking hoo. Pussy.
My best friend grew up to be a cop, after her step dad molested her and she wanted to catch the bad guys. She is a good cop. To apply a bias to EVERY person in that catagory is ignorant AS FUCK. I have dealt with “pigs”- nice and not so much. But when I wasn’t “in trouble” they were pretty reasonable. How much do you deal with pigs?! May I suggest paying your registration once and a while?
Amen! I’m a short little white girl. When i was arrested. I complied the whole time. I was like, ok I’m under arrest, let’s just go. I’LL call my lawyers. PIG said he saw a ‘streak’ in my eyes and grabbed me and dragged me to the car and threw me in. I wont even lie it hurt, he slammed my head on the door! I couldnt even lay in my cell that night without laying on a bruise. The deputies did feel horrible for me, and left the phone in our cell (three of the loudest women ever) I almost lost it on one who couldn’t figure out the phone and yelled I’m from Detroit’ all nite.
I did file a complaint with policewatch.org That cop got his.
I think the officers involved should sure the parents of the tard child, for putting them in a position of mental anguish and unnecessary attention.
Simply because your child is a ra-tard,
Does not mean they get special privileges. Movies are NOT free. That seat is available to the next PAYING customer. The police will not simply stand buy, while this sprog fights and refuses to obey lawful commands.
Shame on these parents.
I believe you are retarded sir
What the fuck is your real name “thetruth” because I’d like to find you so I can kick your ass. People like you is what is wrong in the world
You must live a miserable existence. Hope you never have a “ra-tard” child. Honesty, do you have any education with those unreasonable comments?
I don’t believe the cops are “thugs” who wanted this. I bet the tard got wild with them when they tried to remove him from the theater so they placed him in cuffs and with his weak genes he died on his own
Wtf is wrong mental y challenged or not . There is Absolutely NO reason that this situatuon could not have been handle in an appropriate manera that no one had to get hurt .
That’s very, very fucked up….and true and funny as hell….
The Truth:You need to truly take a look at what your saying sir. No matter what your or beliefs are your use of calling someone a derogatory name is a shameful and completely uncalled for. Your own insecurities and lack of self worth could be the only explanation for taking shots a a grieving parent. Yes this site is a forum to sound off on people for many reasons but you will also find a better side to people on this site in cases such as these. Only God and you know why you would use such terrible terms to attack a grieving mother and a young man who died. These comments you made will come full circle in your life and you will be ashamed for speaking like this to anyone in this mothers position. To the mother I’m sorry for your loss and I am praying for you and your son.
Really. What a ignorant comment.
F-ck the police. Most are corrupt and abusive. Just ask their ex-wives. They feel above the law. Keep speeding down the freeway to meet your police buddy at Denney’s. You don’t want to be late for the grand slam.
It’s sad that he was killed but a disability does not give anyone a free pass. A movie ticket is not an all day pass. He went with a guardian who clearly could not handle the task. A responsible guardian should have got control of him or quickly removed him before the situation even called for security to be called. The employee is not to blame or security for doing their job. His death is on his mother for allowing him to go out with someone who couldn’t handle him and the guardian for allowing the situation to escalate.
I hope this is a lesson not just to parents of disabled children but all children. Children need responsible guardians who can handle them at their worse or they could end up being killed.
This post is about as dumb as it gets
First off “The Truth”, Go fuck your mother. You shouldn’t refer to special needs people as the R word, That is just childish and not needed. My brother has Down syndrome and seeing him go through what he has to every day is enough for if you we’re in front of me and said that word I would fucking end you. Show some god damn respect let alone on a post like this. Inbred piece of shit.
the down-syndrom guy shouldn’t be allowed to roam in public, he should be institutionalized. he brought this on himself.
I agree that the outcome here was heartbreaking and i am sorry these parents lost a son but i feel there is more to this story than we have been told. It doesnt add up.
No soul will be taken in vain.. Landon your story will be heard
Why does Nik pretend to give a shit about anyone but himself? RIP Landon <3
First of all, if this was about some black kid, none of you would care. Secondly, the cops were just doing their job. This kid was resisting arrest. If anything, you should be mad at the movie-goers and the cinema workers who called the cops in the first place. Is this a tragic story? Sure. But stop with this whole cop hating crap. They did absolutely nothing wrong in this case.
Those kind of cops define PIGS
May this young man rest in paradise!
Jack are you a dumbass or you just dont know how to read? The post says he was with a companion.
EMBARRASSING!
Nik,
I love the site, but when you put a post/story up like this don’t you think you could take a brief period of time to actually research to make sure it is correct? Not only is the name incorrect, but also the date the event took place. This isn’t to bash you at all Nik as I do enjoy the site. Take care
Hey, special needs folks can be assholes too.
This is so sad. Rest is Peace Landon we are thinking of you and your family!
Anyone who makes ignorant comments about this young man are just sad people who hate their lives. I’ve worked with many disabled people and they are more fun loving and caring then most people who have advantages. I hope you guys just go kill yourselves because you are not worthy of even living with your hateful hearts.
Nik-
These comments are why I invited you to the Buddy Walk in October. Perfect example…
FTP They don’t even like their own. RIP to this poor man. That legit made me cry
Yea I agree with mom above, something doesnt add up. So they were security guards n police uniforms according to the op? Major violation. I’ve taken care of individuals that can’t take care of themselves, my first question was where was the guardian? Handler? Whatever….I think we r missing some deets here.
Holy schnikes, it was ruled as a homicide, wanna c how this one plays out.
Horrible!!!
Yes this is terrible but the theatre is a business and he did not pay to watch that movie again so whether disabled or not he needed to leave when asked. The off-duty Officers were working as security so when they are asked to help with that situation and he still refuses to leave then he forces their hand, they have a job to do which the theatre is paying them for so because he is disabled doesn’t mean he can do what he wants and resist Police and refuse business employees. Where was the person that brought him there? If they can’t talk to him and help him abide by the rules then he will suffer the consequences. Sorry to say it but $hit happens and if he would’ve left when originally asked he would still be here. Don’t blame the theatre or Police for doing their jobs and running their business.
Where’s dorner when u need him!!! Why kill the innocent when there are actual horrible cops out there!!! I wish nothing but the worse on these “cops”.. Pathetic
So Landon had a guardian right? Why was this guardian not able to take care of/handle him before security was called?
So the theatre was supposed to lose revenue of another paying customer, so that he could watch it again, because he is mentally disabled? That sounds fair…maybe next time I want something for free I will just act like an asshole.Stop being touchy feely pussies. He was breaking multiple laws and was resisting. Either your treated the same as everyone else (and are subject to the same laws) or you need to be separated and get special rules in a special place for special people (ie hospital, care home, island etc) Mentally disabled people can be a danger to themselves and others.
Heres the break down :
He (His handler) paid for a ticket for one movie.
He refused to leave at the end of the movie.
He wanted to watch it again for free (theft)
He lashed out and made a scene (handler couldn’t control him)
Authorities were called (this would happen if it was you or I)
They attempted to calm him. They were forced to detain.
He resisted more.
He passed away while they struggled to detain him (would a non handicapped person have died, who knows. You cant speculate).
The police and movie theatre were not in the wrong. They did what they legally had to do. I blame poor parenting and handler decisions.
When it got to the point of the coppers showing up why didn’t the carer just pay for another bloody ticket. They would have been paid back. ffs.
And Jack, I hope you die in a fire.
FUCK THE POLICE
I support the police.
The parents need to get control of their children.
Carry on, nothing to see here.
F*** THE POLICE!!
this is sickening!! such failure in police policy. To much authority is given to police officers we need to invoke our right to protect ourselves from the government and police by any means necessary.
His name wasnt landon!!! Robert Ethan Saylor, of New Market.
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?storyID=147168
The police were doing their job. He refused to leave. Rules exist for a reason… retard or not. If anything, the guardian should be sued for not doing their job. These officers don’t have time to investigate what level or retard this guy was at so that they could better communicate with the guy. That’s not their job. The guardian should be at fault for being incompetent.
Your right if this happened to a black person we would glorify the cops but sadly enough thats not the case. Makes me sad guess we have to keep relying on black on black crime.
A.C.A.B.
This is tragic, however where was his parents. He was basically a criminal stealing from the theater….. But he was a slow kid so it list be ok…… God forbid if he was black also…. That would of have you folks riot
Some of you people who have commented on here are so goddamned ignorant. Doesn’t matter if he had down syndrome or not. There was no need to use that much force that they take a human life. If you think what the cops did was ok then let’s see how you feel if that were one of your family members. If you’re an officer you take an oath to serve and protect. 3 officers to 1 kid. That doesn’t seem fair. And to suffocate him. You used more force than need be. There’s a reason why people of ALL races don’t trust the police. Smh.
This is tragic. He asphyxiated and stopped breathing because they probably put him in a choke hold. And they’ll probably be cleared of any wrong doing by their own department. When you’re approached by the police…be very afraid.
to the usher who brought in the cops: go kill yourself. As for the cops, that’s just cops being cops. They’re murderers, what do you expect? Their job is to “keep the peace” via violence against citizens, their “tools of the trade” are all lethal weapons. Many people still support them and their function in society and are always ready to give them the benefit of the doubt when another citizen gets killed. I don’t, and I think their supporters are all idiots that watch too many movies, but there’s no convincing some people. I hope you all learn the hard way.