TheAgitator.com
Keep on Eye on This One
Thursday, May 1st, 2008A drug raid in Columbus, Ohio last night resulted in two wounded police officers.
The man who shot them is being charged with attempted murder. Thing is, he’s a city employee–a code inspector. Details are still sketchy, but the articles says witnesses heard police ordering other officers to break in windows, then gunshots–nothing yet about an announcement. Also, the article neglects to say if any drugs were actually found. Several people are being held, but only the shooter has so far been charged, and he’s only being charged with the shootings. It’s been my experience that police are usually very quick to announce if they’ve found any drugs, particularly in raids that don’t end well.
More to come, I’m sure. And perhaps new details will show the charges against this guy are justified. Right now, it’s setting off some red flags.
More: They’ve since updated the story to say that drugs were found in the home, though they haven’t said what type or in what quantity.
The article says drugs WERE found, although charges were not filed. “Though drugs were found in the house at 1781 E. Rich St., no drug charges have been filed, and the investigation continues, police said.”
Of course, this does not justify using SWAT tactics for a search. In fact, as a city employee, the suspect would have been subject to drug screening, so they could have checked if (at least he) was using.
To the general public, I’m sure the mere mention of “drugs” being found justifies any and all police action taken.
Its not clear to me if the homeowner shot before the police entered or only as the police were breaking windows and doors. The story seems to suggest the former option. Of course, the story also has the obligatory “scary black man” picture and so I question its balance.
it’s about punishment don’t ya know? (and wasting taxpayer money)
Drugs were found=4mm of rolled paper with possible residue in garbage.
aaaaand as usually happens in cases like this, the cops will soon be announcing they “found child porn on the suspect’s computer” any minute now.
just following the playbook.
Here we go again. Damn.
BTW, Drugs were reportedly found in Kathryn Johnstons home as well. I’m not making accusations, just pointing out why I’m so skeptical.
I live in Columbus. I actually just logged on to see if you had written anything about this and to tell you to “keep an eye on it.”
The one suspect is a former OSU Buckeye Football player. According to the news he has worked for the city as a code enforcer since 1995 and has had “no personnel issues.” His name is Derrick Foster. They also interviewed someone ( teacher or some employee, I didnt catch who she was) from his High School who was just shocked that he would be involved in something like this.
They also started their whole cop-porn. Interviewing the “rescuing officers” and all that. The showed the names of the wounded officers but said they could not show their pictures because they work UNDERCOVER in drug enforcement.
Then they paraded the military gear of the special drug task force. it is called In/TAC. They teased an upcoming segment where they are going to ride around with these guys. They are dressed in all black with their automatic weapons and you know usual “special drug force” outfit. The news was hyping up how awesome these military guys were for sneaking up on the unsuspecting drug dealers! This particular news guy ( I think Fox), some dude named Gabe Spegel or something always gets very excited when he talks about someone being killed.
The whole thing makes me want to throwup, and I almost went off on a rant to my 6 year old kid.
I don’t know these guys or have any insight into their character but the whole thing just screams ” they probably thought it was robbery/home invasion and didnt know it was cops” to me and makes me sick. I dont know any background on the warrant/drug case but i just assume it is the standard ” its a drug warrant so lets get dressed up and break in with machine guns” cowboy cop bullshit we are all used to.