Was this what Facebook had in mind when they introduced the feature? Or were they picturing people using live streaming to show what they’re making for dinner and to discuss politics with their friends? Recently a man was live streaming to Facebook video of himself and two friends in a car when someone opened up a drive-by shooting on the car wounding all three. The camera fell to the ground after thirty rounds were fired.
After Philadro Castile was shot by a Minnesota police officer while he was driving in the car with his girlfriend and her young daughter, the girlfriend streamed the aftermath of his death to Facebook. Antonio Perkins was live-streaming in Chicago when suddenly shots rang out, and the camera fell to the ground in grass covered in blood. And when a sniper opened fire in downtown Dallas a bystander took out his phone and streamed the events to Facebook as five police officers were shot and killed and nine others were injured. Certainly this wasn’t Facebook’s intention when they added the live streaming feature. But is this what is to be expected? Would it bother you to open your Facebook feed and see a gruesome crime happening? Or do you feel it comes with the territory? Do you think it can be a tool to help solve crimes?
