A terrible thing happened in the University District early on New Years day. Miles Murphy, a UW student, was killed by police in what ultimately amounted to a misunderstanding. He had always been quite fascinated with the ways and styles of yesteryear, and as such, had a few vintage outfits and uniforms ranging from the 1920s to the '50s.

For New Years, he and a few friends had dressed up in some WWII era uniforms (he had been very careful to make sure any uniform he bought never had any swastika signage on it). They celebrated the New Year with both alcohol, and by firing off a few blanks in a vintage rifle that he had. Neighbors heard shots (the blanks being fired off) and called 911. The police quickly arrived and confronted him and his friends. He had the rifle in his hands when they arrived.

He didn't react to police commands for him drop the rifle, and instead lowered, then raised it again, and took a step forward (he had been drinking). That is when the police opened fire on him.

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The strange part about all of this is that there is no clear place to put the blame. There have been people saying that when someone brandishes a rifle, it's expected for the police to open fire. Yes, that is the policy they have in place. Yes, it was stupid that he had combined alcohol and guns. Nonetheless, this is the utmost tragedy.

I was hardly an acquaintance of him; for the most part I had only spoken to him during the 2006 Saint Lucia festival, at which he played the piano. Whenever I passed by him on campus, I always thought to myself "That's the type of person the world needs." He always struck me as the type to think things through before speaking, and one that does not automatically accept the most popular of anything simply because doing so would be convenient. It seems he was reviving a lost art, or rather, a lost lifestyle. He will be greatly missed.



Seattle Times: Police kill man dressed as German soldier in U-District
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Facebook Memorial Page:
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Fashion article featuring Miles Murphy, written less than a year ago
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