The Spearhead Effect

---

[Evan] It's been said that

for every action,

there is an equal

and opposite reaction.

This creates a pendulum.

And endless back and forth

of blurred causes and effects.

All of our debates,

all of our contentions,

knock against one another

over and over.

This noise creates

our status quo.

This is our rhythm.

But, what if someone

steps outside of this cycle?

What is someone does

something unexpected?

Something revolutionary.

They can destroy

the pendulum.

But in doing so,

they've also created

a new one.

A bigger one.

Size to fit the stakes,

they've said.

This is the Spearhead effect.

[Jake] It's been, uh...

five years,

since it happened.

I don't want to talk about it.

I mean, what's there to say?

- [grunts]

- [gasps]

How am I supposed

to get closure?

The man that did this

is still out there.

[sniffles]

I just want to say thank you

for the outpouring of support

after my last video.

I didn't expect it.

But it is good to know

that I am not alone,

that I am not the only

one out there

who feels

frustrated over this.

You know I'm not just talking about

the violent criminals that walk free.

I am talking about the system

that allows it to happen.

Maybe we need to stop talking

about "them", and "they."

Maybe "we" need to step up.

Start taking accountability. Start

cleaning up our own messes,

instead of just reaching

out to the cops and the courts

to solve our problems.

When Officer Bradley

was questioned by superiors,

he claimed that his radio had

been switched off accidentally.

The result

of this investigation,

two weeks paid suspension.

Really?

That's called vacation

where I come from.

The individual officers are

short of something to blame,

they betrayed their oath

to protect and serve.

But I can't be the only one

wondering if this behavior

is condoned or even encouraged

down from the path.

Maybe it's time

we stopped asking questions

and found out for ourselves.

[loud club music playing]

[Jake] Oh, yeah.

[all] Cheers!

[Jake] The negligence I

uncovered over and over again

shouldn't come

as a surprise.

Instead of just complaining about

it, we can do something about it.

Step up. Take accountability.

Don't wait to become

a victim. Defend yourselves.

Lead by example.

If an animal is cornered, nobody

is surprised if it lashes out.

Why should you as a human

being be any different?

[Shelby]

Those are strong words.

Nine million views,

two police departments

under investigation,

twelve officers

already fired.

Mr. Stetson, do you

consider this a success?

This isn't about me.

Okay, its about making sure

people are held accountable.

About making sure that we don't

have to go through our lives,

fearing that we are gonna

lose someone close to us.

When your online presence

began, shortly after your

own family tragedy,

are you motivated

by justice or grief?

No, I am motivated

by the need for change, Shelby.

Okay, it's time that we

reexamine this archaic system

that provides

little retribution...

No, you're trying to dismantle

the institutions of justice.

No, I am trying to bolster

these institutions

to hold themselves

up to higher standards, sir.

You said that people shouldn't

wait to become a victim

before they defend themselves,

this is a clear call

to vigilante...

I can't control the nuances of

how people interpret my message.

Okay, I am simply

keeping people informed.

- Protected. How they choose to do so...

- Give me a break.

Is of their own accord.

Carrying mace

is one thing,

but what do you think

about all these groups

that have been popping up

all over the country

calling themselves

The Pioneers.

[Ramsey] Well, it seems clear how

people are interpreting his message...

[Jake] Oh, come on, you

can't place the blame

solely on my shoulders

for this.

Well, Mr. Stetson,

do you think this

has gone too far?

I believe that

if these groups

are getting information

that leads to violent criminals

being taken off the streets,

then no, it's not too far.

Okay, I simply see civilians

protecting each other.

Doing what's necessary

to keep the streets...

Now, you call bashing in a

victim's knee caps protection?

Since when do we allow

that in America?

You call a verified felon

trolling the streets

with a firearm a victim?

The police couldn't and

wouldn't have done anything

until after the crime occurred.

Okay, I am simply

watching people

do what's necessary

to keep the world

a safer place.

Definitive action

is a slippery slope.

What about

the burden of proof?

For both of you, what about

the burden of proof?

You're right, sir. That's exactly

what it has become. A burden.

Okay, listen.

Listen, it's simple,

let me explain it to you, you stay

on the right side of the law,

and you have no reason

to fear these pioneers.

Mr. Stetson, are you one

of the men behind the masks?

No, Shelby.

I am not one of the men

behind the masks.

Okay, I can do far

more in public

than I could ever do,

behind one of these

silly masks.

You sit behind

a computer screen

all day, young man.

What do you think

that law enforcement is?

I believe that I am doing

exactly what you do, sir.

I am analyzing,

[overlapping chatter]

Mr. Ramsey, one minute please,

I'd like to ask Mr. Stetson

a question.

I understand, Mr. Ramsey,

Mr. Stetson, regardless

of the controversy

there is no denying

you endured

an awful tragedy with the

death of your mother.

Do you believe yourself to be

in the right state of mind

to face all this attention?

I've never felt better.

[Shelby] Well, your profile

has certainly picked up steam

in the last few weeks.

How have your friends and

family reacted to all of this?

It's... It's great.

It's wonderful to have

support behind me.

It... it... Everyone

has just been... great.

[Shelby] I'd like to thank you, Mr.

Stetson, for being on my show.

[cell phone vibrating]

See the interview yet?

Dad?

[Mr. Stetson] No, I haven't.

Do you want me to resend

you the link?

[Mr. Stetson] No, no,

don't worry about it.

I support you, Jake, but I don't

support you making yourself a target.

I'm fine, Dad. Okay?

- [Mr. Stetson] Yeah, well, you sleeping okay?

- Yeah.

It's good. Any more of those

nasty emails or threats?

Dad, okay, anybody is...

Anyone...

gets death threats, all right?

- [Mr. Stetson] It's one way of looking at it.

- Yeah.

Look, you didn't just embarrass those

c*nts, you toyed with their livelihood.

Look, Dad, if we're just

gonna talk about this,

why don't I just call you

tomorrow, okay?

[Mr. Stetson] They are not

gonna take that lightly.

Yeah, nor should they.

[Mr. Stetson] Why don't you come up

for a little while? Take a break.

Get your mind off things.

Dad...

I don't wanna talk about this, you know.

I'll call you tomorrow.

[Mr. Stetson] Jake,

would you just...

Hey, can I get an autograph?

[laughs]

What's up, man?

Hey.

How you doing, dude?

Ah, you scared

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes