Current Events > Neighbor calls police on Black teenager practicing ROTC drills in neighborhood

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https://www.wral.com/neighbor-calls-police-on-black-teenager-practicing-rotc-drills-in-neighborhood/19627584/

Raleigh, N.C. A Raleigh teenager is in shock after one of his neighbors called police on him as he practiced an ROTC routine with a replica rifle.

Jathan Walthour recently joined the ROTC team at Sanderson High School in Raleigh.

At about 9 p.m. Tuesday, he decided to practice outside in his neighborhood.

"I was walking throughout the road.

I was marching down the street.

As I saw the police arrive, I had my rifle on my shoulder," Walthour described.

A neighbor called police on the 16-year-old Black student.

There is a man outside with a gun walking up and down our cul-de-sac, the 911 caller said.

Walthour credits training from a community program called Police Explorers on how to properly handle the situation.

"I placed the gun down on the ground and walked away from it," he said.

"I kept my hands visible, away from my pockets and things, because the officers recommend you keep your hands where the officers can see you."

Shawn Krest, the teen's stepfather, called the situation unfortunate.

He tweeted about his sons experience.

"It's difficult, it's something I'm still learning, as well," Krest said.

"It's tough for me to explain what to do because it's something I didn't have to worry about."

Walthour said he'll continue to march on after being shaken by his encounter with police.

"I had definitely feared that I could have gotten killed that day or even put in handcuffs," he said.

Police suggested he practice his ROTC drills in his backyard instead.

The family is thinking of making fliers to let neighbors know Walthour is in ROTC and not a threat.

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yeah..should probably stick to doing that in your yard

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My city ban JROTC from using replica guns and switch them to flags instead. This was 17 years ago, so I surprise they still have this.

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andrewl923 posted...

My city ban JROTC from using replica guns and switch them to flags instead. This was 17 years ago, so I surprise they still have this.

When I went to school they all looked like they were molded out of fiberglass and no functioning pieces.


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tbf, why was he walking up and down the street with a rifle.. especially at night.

This should be a non news article, race doesn't matter here.

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I had a black friend get handcuffed on the hood of a police car for 30 minutes. A neighbor claimed he was burglarizing his own home. He was packing his truck to go on vacation. He lived in that house around 10 years at that point.

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So is the news that the cops didn't shoot him?

Or is the article literally shitposting for race baiting clicks?

If I saw anyone doing that up and down the street

Well I live in rural ms I wouldn't think much of it

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