In the aftermath of the tragedy in Dallas Thursday night, a major transgression occurred amid the chaos and confusion. A black man legally carrying, was misidentified by police as a suspect in the shootings. On January 1, Texas became the 45th state to enact the legal open carry of handguns in public. Unfortunately, the image of the man’s face went viral and labeled with an armed and dangerous suspect tag over social networks and traditional mediums thanks to the Dallas Police Department.
The man, identified as Mark Hughes, immediately turned himself in and forfeited his AR-15 to authorities, once he realized that he was wanted. He was questioned for 30 minutes by police detectives and released. Hughes was in attendance with his brother (an event organizer) at the scheduled protest and a witness to the callous and sickening violence.
As police organizations continue an alarming and uneven approach and policy in contacting citizens legally upholding their 2nd amendment rights, public support and confidence for law enforcement will continue to waver.
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