New video footage from the scene shows the man climbing the stairs to the bridge where the two gunmen lay injured after being shot by police marksmen.

The member of the public is seen kicking a weapon away from the terrorists – but police continue firing at the bridge, causing the man to duck for cover.

As police close in on the injured gunmen, the refugee is then challenged by members of the public, who mistake him for a terrorist.

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[–] HiddenLayer555@lemmy.ml 12 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

It happens.

With a much, much lower likelihood of it happening if the guy was white, I bet.

He got shot because he "looked" like a terrorist in the police/public's eyes, despite being the one fighting the terrorists.

[–] FauxPseudo@lemmy.world -2 points 1 week ago

In America the rate is pretty distributed. But it's a very small sample size because most people don't get involved.

The number one thing that makes you look like a terrorist in a situation like this is holding a gun.

[–] tehsillz@lemmy.world -4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Anyone holding a gun during an active shooting is automatically a suspect in the few seconds it occurs.. I doubt it has anything to do with skin color.

[–] HiddenLayer555@lemmy.ml 9 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

So why did the public mob the guy then? They saw him literally fighting the gunman and still assumed he's one of them? If it was a pale skinned blond guy they 100% would have believed him when he said he's trying to help, but because he's Middle Eastern they refused to see past the "terrorist" stereotype.

And if they didn't see him fighting the terrorist, that's worse. They attacked a random Middle Eastern guy assuming all of them are terrorists. Why didn't they go after any of the white people on the beach in the same way?

[+] tehsillz@lemmy.world -6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Maybe because he's standing on top of the shooter, kicking the gun with his hands up?? How are people supposed to know he's not part of it.

[–] HiddenLayer555@lemmy.ml 9 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

How else are people supposed to fight terrorists? Say please and thank you?

kicking the gun

Because someone intent on helping them shoot people definitely does that.

with his hands up

Oh so they could clearly see he wasn't holding a weapon.

[–] tehsillz@lemmy.world -2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Do you think people have drone vision or something? This is happening in the midst of chaos. Just because you can see it in the video doesn't mean people around there can see what is happening. There is a wall around him. NOBODY can see him kicking the gun.

[–] HiddenLayer555@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I see your point and accept it. However, I don't think that takes away from the broader fact that this is significantly less likely to happen to white people compared to Middle Eastern.