Bystander livestreams during Charlotte standoff show an ever
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Saing Chhoeun was locked out of his Charlotte, North Carolina, home on Monday as law enforcement with high-powered rifles descended into his yard and garage, using a car as a shield as they were met with a shower of gunfire from the direction of his neighbor’s house.
As bullets flew just feet away, Chhoeun took out his phone and started live-streaming the standoff between officials and a man wanted for possession of a firearm by an ex-felon and fleeing to elude.
By the end of the ordeal, five people including four officers and the shooter were dead and more injured in the deadliest single-day incident for U.S. law enforcement since 2016.
The deadly shootout also illustrated how smartphone-wielding bystanders don’t always run for cover when bullets start to fly. Increasingly, they look to livestream their perspective of the attack. Experts say the reaction reflects the new role that bystanders play in the age of smartphones.
Related articles
Give free passports to Britain's heroes: On the eve of D
As the nation commemorates the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday, The Mail on Sunday launches a2024-06-03VOX POPULI: Celebrating the arrival of spring the same way as in ‘Tale of Genji’
Feb. 4 was “Risshun,” which marks the beginning of spring on the traditional Japanese lunar calendar2024-06-03VOX POPULI: The war in Ukraine enters its 3rd year with no end in sight
On Feb. 24 exactly two years ago, acclaimed Ukrainian author Andrey Kurkov was jolted awake by the b2024-06-03VOX POPULI: Rooting for the Sendai killifish that survived the 2011 tsunami
In February 1999, the Environment Agency (the present-day Environment Ministry) shocked the nation b2024-06-03Simone Biles performs in front of her mom and NFL husband at Paris Olympics preparations
Simone Biles received an emotional reaction from her mom and NFL star husband Jonathan Owens at the2024-06-03Minister 'not convinced' Fire and Emergency needs further levy boost
Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver2024-06-03
atest comment