Hawkeye DL says he nearly became another statistic

Ekakitie wrote in a Facebook post that approximately five Iowa City police officers stopped him and four guns were pointed at him as police searched for a suspect who had robbed a nearby bank 10 minutes earlier.

"My pockets were checked, my backpack was opened up and searched carefully, and I was asked to lift up my shirt while they searched my waistband," Ekakitie wrote. "Not once did they identify themselves to me as Iowa City Police officers, but with four gun barrels staring me in the face, I wouldn't dare question the authority of the men and woman in front of me. This is what happened from my point of view."

Ekakitie said he did not initially respond to police orders to stop because he was approached from behind and was wearing headphones.

"In this situation, what the media would fail to let people know is that the suspect had his headphones in the entire time the Police Officers approached him initially," Ekakitie wrote. "The suspect had actually just pulled up to the park because he was playing a newly popular Game called Pokémon Go. The suspect didn't realize that there were four cops behind him because his music was blaring in his ears. The suspect had reached into his pockets, for something which was his phone, but for all the cops could have known, he was reaching for a gun. The suspect could very well become another statistic on this day.

"I am not one to usually rant on Facebook or anywhere else, but with all of the crazy things that have been happening in our world these past couple of weeks it is hard to stay silent. I am thankful to be alive."

WhiteBoyHatcher wrote:Seems kinda dumb, I know law enforcement is a tough position but where is the common sense? Guy who robs a bank is going to be strolling in the park with headphones on, blissfully unaware of his surroundings?