Police: Retreat before you shoot, defense is last resort

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Police Department advises citizens to exercise caution this holiday season, should they find themselves facing a potential zombie confrontation.

"Citizens have the right to defend themselves and use deadly force in the face of being attacked with deadly force. They would have to be certain it was a zombie though," said Chief of Police Isaac Brown.

Considering zombies have a reputation for being less than chatty, Chief Brown said a zombie encounter would likely present great potential for communication problems between citizens and someone in a "zombie state."

Confirming an individual is a zombie would still not be enough to warrant deadly force, according to Chief Brown.

"The best thing for a citizen to do is retreat and defend themselves as a last resort," said Chief Brown.

Chief Brown suggested the basement of Memorial Auditorium could serve as a temporary detainment area for zombies. The building is not slated to be used as one of the city's planned emergency shelters and could offer a win-win scenario for both zombies and citizens, according to Brown.

"There is no light to bother them and we wouldn't have to see them either, said Brown, adding that his department was in the process of purchasing new animal catch poles and nets, which could be useful in rounding up zombies.

Chief Brown was uncertain whether being a zombie would be grounds for the police department to detain a suspect and added the city attorney or a judge would need to be consulted on that determination.