Cop-Killer On the Run Goes Viral

This is another example of how unpredictable the social media culture may be: Former Los Angeles police officer, Christopher Dorner, is on the run after murdering three police officers in Sacramento, California, earlier this month. US authorities are still trying to find the cop-killer who seems vanished from the surface. Meanwhile, a growing number of people are using social media to express their support for Chris Dorner.

“To see someone kill police officers, they may see this as a kind of way of standing against oppressive force.”

Sid Martinez

The ex-cop accused of three revenge killings left behind a long manifesto outlining all of his grievances and observations. That manifesto has given investigators some clues, but they still don’t know where Christopher Dorner is . Dorner lost his job with the Los Angeles Police Department in 2008. His manifesto vows revenge for that. But, surprisingly, thousands of people now actually support him.

It’s perhaps hard to believe, but there are those out there who sympathize with the man targeting police officers, and killing them.

One Facebook page is proclaiming Dorner for president. “We propose electing a man who could no longer sit idly by and watch as malicious tyrants abuse the innocent.”

The description on the website, “We Are All Chris Dorner”, says, “Yes, this is war.”

And about 3 000 people like the page “I Support Christopher Jordan Dorner.”

CBS Sacramento have asked its readers about why they support a man wanted for at least three killings and the author of a murderous manifesto promising to target cops?

Here are som of the answers:

Because something needs to be done about the long known corruption of not only the LAPD, but several agencies.

He is god for now and I support him and this page.

In addition, a number of fake Twitter accounts have popped up and are adding momentum to the surprising debate.

“Most people would be shocked and appalled that people would support this,” says Sid Martinez, assistant professor of sociology at Sacramento State.

However, Martinez is not surprised by the outpouring of support.

He points to a long history of distrust and tension between parts of Southern California and the police, as the motivation behind the movement.

Some are celebrating this former cop turned alleged cop-killer as a vigilante administering a sick kind of justice.

“So, to see someone kill police officers, they may see this as a kind of way of standing against oppressive force,” Martinez says.

The intensity of the search for Chris Dorner is brilliantly illustrated by ZeroHedge.com, comparing the number of searches on Google for “chris dorner,” compared with searches for “federal reserve.

(Remember, Dorner have been famous for just about a week – the FED have been around for a hundred years) :