Police gunfire hurts 2, hits neighbors' homes

[Conservativesux]

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Police gunfire hurts 2, hits neighbors' homes

By Tonya Alanez and Monte Morin

Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — Ten Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies opened fire early yesterday on a sport-utility vehicle they were chasing, discharging 120 rounds in a frenzied crossfire that injured a deputy and the unarmed suspect while sending bullets into nearby homes.

The shooting on a narrow residential street in Compton sent residents diving for cover as bullets zipped over their heads and through their windows. In the aftermath, bullet holes pocked the walls of at least five homes.

Sheriff Lee Baca pledged a full investigation into the incident, which was caught on videotape. "The aspect of shooting in an urban area is problematic and dangerous under all circumstances," he said.

Internal-affairs investigators are trying to determine whether the gunfire was a case of "contagious fire," meaning that some deputies incorrectly believed their colleagues' shots were coming from the suspect, prompting them to open fire. Neighborhood residents said the deputies put their lives in jeopardy.

"This is crazy — really, really crazy," said Trina Hays, 42, who dived onto her lawn when the shooting erupted 20 feet away. "They didn't have any concern for anybody's life, including their own. That's why their own police officer got hit. ... They could have just sat there and waited it out, but they opened fire."

More at:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002269289_chase10.html?syndication=rss

[Nomad559]

1. Video

http://www.zippyvideos.com/146240851255585.html

[saigon68]

2. These Rambo Wanabees should go to Iraq.

Where there are a few more Challenges for them.

[Jack_DeLeon]

3. and some people claim that only Police should have guns...

because they are specially trained to use them. :eyes:

I saw that video and it was a major fucking screw up.

You shouldnt fire on someone unless you intend to kill them, and despite all those officers and all those rounds spend the guy they were shooting at didnt even die. Thats not to say if the police were even in the right by shooting at him.

Good Job guys, you even injured one of your own. By the way the officers were arranged pretty much in circle and firing towards the center I'm amazed more officers werent hit by the officers on the other sides.

[Retired AF Dem]

4. They must of used that old Clint Eastwood movie

"The Gauntlet" as their training guide.

[sandnsea]

5. They tasered a pregnant woman

8 months pregnant, tasered her numerous times and pulled her out of her car, to the ground and arrested her. Because she didn't think she had to sign the speeding ticket. She said she'd take the ticket, but she didn't think she had to sign it. That's what happens when authoritarianism takes control. It leads to abuse in the home, on the streets and in our government.