Gilbert, Bruce

Attended the Tennessee School for the Deaf; never had a steady job, instead working at various odd jobs. Served a 5-year prison sentence for sexual battery on a child under 13. Because of his erratic behavior, his mother filed a complaint with the police, hoping in this way to get psychiatric help for him. When officers arrived at the house, he was shoveling in a ditch. They walked up on him from behind and grabbed him. When he reacted, they considered him to be resisting arrest and sprayed him with Mace, struck him with a baton, and slammed him against a wall. He broke free and picked up his shovel. Officers said he was swinging the shovel at them; witnesses said he was assuming a defensive position. Whichever, the police opened fire, killing Gilbert with 5 shots. At no time was communication established between Gilbert and the police officers.