Fox News Guest Blames Bystanders for Not Stopping NYC Shooter: ‘Apathy Is What Occurred’
A Fox News guest said “bystander apathy” helped lead to the fatal shooting in Midtown, Manhattan on Monday night.
Police say 27-year-old Shane Tamura, of Las Vegas, opened fire with an AR-15 inside 345 Park Avenue and killed four people, including an off-duty police officer, before fatally shooting himself. A photo of Tamura before the shooting circulated online, and it showed him with a rifle at his side before walking into the building.
During Fox’s coverage, Sean Hannity spoke with retired NYPD Officer Bill Stanton, who said people need to be proactive and take matters into their own hands.
“We see it again,” Stanton said. “And there’s talk of more police officers. There’s talk of, you know, more omnipresence… But we need to deputize ourselves. Sean, let’s take you as an example. My understanding is you train really hard in MMA. I’m guessing you train with your firearm, as well.”
“I do,” Hannity replied.
“We each need to empower ourselves not to be a victim,” Stanton continued, adding that he and Hannity would have been in a position to stop the perpetrator. “Bystander apathy is what occurred, is the term used as this gentleman walked– this cretin walked with a long gun down the street. No one said anything. I’d be curious to see how many 9-1-1 calls were made. We need to empower ourselves, deputize ourselves. If you would’ve seen that person, I guess you would’ve acted a lot different, as would have I. These businesses that have security in the lobbies, there’s a knee-jerk reaction. They may enhance it, but they do a cost-benefit analysis, and it’ll go right back to the same.”
Stanton went on to slam the “defund the police” movement and said people do not respect police anymore.
“Only when we respect police officers, when respect is given back to the police officers, when we end this ‘defund the police,’ when we end the sending in therapists or counsellors, will people respect and yes, be slightly afraid that I might get taken out before I do anything,” he added. “We see this perpetrator, this sicko, as well as criminals all over Manhattan, all over the country, not respecting the law, feeling they can do what they want. Only when we collectively push back, fight back, and act will this lesson hopefully stop.”
“Yeah, it’s sad,” replied Hannity. “I do think people need situational awareness. And you know, if you see something, say something. Make the phone call. Call the police. Try and get on top of it.”
Watch above via Fox News.
