Death sparks a look at 'nonlethal' weapons

Following the death in Boston of an innocent bystander, hit in the eye by a pepper-spray projectile fired by police, the use of "less-lethal" and "non-lethal" weapons by law enforcement is receiving scrutiny nationwide — including Utah.

Many of the crowd-control devices used by police in Boston trying to control unruly fans after a Red Sox baseball victory are also used by the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office. And the Utah deputies hope the tragic incident early Thursday involving a Boston officer and a 21-year-old college student does not prompt the public to become critical of the use of those weapons.

In Boston, Police Commissioner Kathleen O'Toole said the department may discontinue the use of the weaponry that killed Victoria Snelgrove as officers tried to contain an estimated 80,000 fans. The crowd had poured into the Fenway Park area following the Red Sox victory at Yankee Stadium in New York, a win that sent the Boston team to the World Series.

Salt Lake County Sheriff's Range Master Nick Roberts said the situation in Boston is very sad, and his heart goes out to the victim's family. But he hopes the incident doesn't become a springboard to criticize those types of weapons.

"It's a shame the public has to see something like this happen after a joyous event like the Major League Baseball game," he said.

What the public doesn't hear about are the numerous occasions when such weapons have been successful and saved lives, he said.

"If you just had a handgun, what would the outcome be? You would hear of numerous, numerous shootings. But you don't because of 'less-lethal' weapons," Roberts said.

In Salt Lake County alone, Roberts said, the sheriff's office uses nonlethal weapons on a weekly basis.

"There's not a week that doesn't go by that we're not using the Taser or pepper ball" or pepper spray, he said.

A pepper ball is considered a nonlethal weapon, while a rubber bullet is labeled "less-lethal." In such cases, a firearm is used that shoots projectiles such as rubber bullets or beanbags without enough force — under ordinary circumstances — to cause serious injury or death. There are occasions, however, where it could happen, Roberts said.

Nonlethal means just that, Roberts said. Those types of weapons include Tasers, pepper balls and pepper spray. There are several brands of pepper-filled-ball guns. The sheriff's office uses the one with the lowest impact.