Seven-Foot Snake Attacks Truck, Trooper Opens Fire

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Posted: 1:35 PM Aug 23, 2008
Last Updated: 11:39 AM Aug 23, 2008

13 comments

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A Michigan State Police trooper fatally shot a nearly 7-foot long Burmese python that slithered onto a road and was spotted lunging at a passing pickup truck.

Motorist Brian Ahlin called 911 Monday after seeing the snake in the middle of the road, just a few feet from a park. Ahlin says the snake tried to attack his truck and continued to do so even after he repeatedly ran over the reptile.

Trooper William Coon arrived and used his .40-caliber handgun to kill the snake. Authorities say the 6-foot, 10-inch python likely was a pet that either escaped from its owner or was deliberately released because of its size.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Ashley Location: Jamesville NC on Aug 27, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Do you have a picture of the 7 foot Burmese Python?

EDITOR'S NOTE: No, we do not have a picture.

Posted by: Chris Location: Greenville on Aug 26, 2008 at 05:05 PM
This guy was safe inside his truck. They kill an innocent, beautiful creature. Just because it was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Zoos or museums would have LOVED to have had a 7 ft burmese python. Animal control should have been called, not a gun toting trooper.

Posted by: Cat Location: NC on Aug 26, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Why did he shoot the python? And this question is based off of the fact that you have caught a chicken snake?? Do chicken snakes squeeze you to death?? Jeez man.. Try not to say things like that anymore. We already get enough ridicule for being from the south without comments like that! The guy was scared! It was a huge snake that doesn't need venom to kill! Thats like what some people said about the shooting the guy that tried to run the cops over with his car! Guns aren't the only things that kill and venom isn't all that some snakes need to kill!

Posted by: williams on Aug 26, 2008 at 08:44 AM
he ran it over several times, then shot it several times, sounds like police brutality to me !!!

Posted by: williams Location: goldsboro on Aug 26, 2008 at 08:37 AM
i am with jack , many snakes have alot of issues , and they do love to strike people.

Posted by: Jack Location: Goldsboro on Aug 26, 2008 at 07:41 AM
Well a snake is a snake i think the Trooper did a good job by killing it because snakes do have issues and probably would have struck someone

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Bertie on Aug 25, 2008 at 02:03 PM
I would attack a truck too if it repeatedly ran over me. Sometimes humans are so mean. Bring the snake here. Then release it to fend for itself.

Posted by: GoPirates Location: GVegas on Aug 25, 2008 at 09:42 AM
LD..Im with you there!! Ewww I hate snakes, I am deathly afraid of them

Posted by: ??? Location: NC on Aug 24, 2008 at 08:24 PM
why would he feel justified in shooting a nonvenomous snake only 7 feet long. I have caught chicken snakes here in NC almost that long with bare hands.

Posted by: jes Location: nc on Aug 24, 2008 at 06:47 PM
i agree with 'stupid comments' why would the trooper want to change his name? just because of coon? thats a very narrow minded and racist thing to day. You would think that in this day that we as a country would be beyond that.

Posted by: SGB Location: Eastern NC on Aug 24, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Now there's a call that doesn't come through on a daily basis...at least I hope not!

Posted by: stupid comments Location: eastern nc on Aug 24, 2008 at 02:23 PM
To voter: Why would the trooper consider a name change? What does his name have to do with anything? Please tell.

Posted by: voter Location: nc on Aug 23, 2008 at 02:43 PM
the good trooper should consider a name change

Posted by: LD Location: NC on Aug 23, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Now Honey I'm glad that python was in Michagin and not in NC cause after calling the police they would have had to call 911 to come get me!!

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