Drug War Issues
[Editor's Note: This year, Drug War Chronicle is trying to track every death directly attributable to drug law enforcement during the year. We can use your help. If you come across a news account of a killing related to drug law enforcement, please send us an email at [email protected].]
[Update: According to the Lake Elsinore-Wildomar Patch, neighbors Tuesday identified the dead man as Fred L. Smith and had created a memorial at the gate of his property.]
It's not always this bucolic in Riverside County (Image via Wikimedia)
According to a press release from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the raid took place at 7:00am, and "one suspect was shot after brandishing a shotgun at one of the deputies." The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The press release does not give any further details about where in the residence the man was killed or whether the warrant was a "no knock" warrant. No eyewitness accounts have emerged so far.
Neighbors told the local newspaper The Press-Enterprise the dead man was a methamphetamine dealer and "a nice guy." Denny Borders said the man once told him he kept a shotgun under the bed, but that he wasn't violent. "He wasn't a fighter or anything," he said, "he wasn't a violent person."
Another neighbor, Susan Dreiske, said that while she was troubled by activity at the man's home, she would sometimes chat with him about gardening and that he had recently planted fruit trees in his front yard. "It's sad that he's gone," she said, "but the officers are just trying to do their jobs."
The incident is being investigated by the Riverside Sheriff's Department Central Homicide Unit. The unidentified deputy who shot the man is on paid administrative leave.
Permission to Reprint: This content is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Content of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.
Comments
mistake on 3rd link.
The 3rd link regarding a newspaper was the same as the sheriff's department press release. Just a note.
mistake on 3rd link.
The 3rd link regarding a newspaper was the same as the sheriff's department press release. Just a note.
Secretary of State
Hilary Clinton wants Moammar Ghaddafi to know that the US will not tolerate the killing of civilians by government.
more murders by police
my question is where are the familys of these murdered people.police will continue to murder people in thiere own homes .till the familys of the slaughtered take revenge a eye for eye .i guess thats why they wont even shoot dogs where i live .they know the penalty for murder is another killing ..we got good cops here because they know murder is punished here out side of a court room the way it should be.
Cops license to kill
Whether it is outright murder like the swat guy who slipped and killed the older unarmed black man or this guy protecting his property from maybe real cops, most likely fake rip off cops or real ripoff cops they have pure immunity to kill innocent or any civilians. This guy will not get any charges but will get a paid vacation while his partners in crime get their stories straight to make this a "clean" shoot. They are the worst possible thugs. I will fight anyone kicking my door in, as I am not a criminal unless you bring me a victim. What you do in your home to yourself is your own business. Please dont save me from myself by killing me you mf douche bag shaved head would be military chicken shits. It is a lot easier to play army when you dont have a hadji shooting you back with auto weapons or with IED's. F them. Live free or die
In reply to Cops license to kill by zootey (not verified)
Yep, great points
In reply to Cops license to kill by zootey (not verified)
Yep, great points
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