There is a disturbing case out of New Mexico where police fired into a van full of children after the mother tried to drive away from officers. As shown on the video below, an officer stopped Oriana Ferrell on a routine traffic stop only to see her drive away. What followed was a chase, smashing windows of the van, and the shocking decision of an officer to fire into a vehicle with kids in the backseat.
First and foremost, it should be noted that Ferrell had violated a host of laws. She fled the scene, engaged in a high-speed chase, resisted arrest, and police say that they found two marijuana pipes in the car. However, it is the discharge of the weapon that shocked many of us.
Ferrell was originally pulled over for going 71 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour zone. She argues with the officer who goes back to his car only to see Ferrell drive away. At this point, he is aware that there are five children in the car aged 6 to 18.
He then pulls her over again and yells at her to get out of the van. When she refuses, he tries to force her out. When her teenage son gets out to confront him, the officer pulls his taser and the teen goes back into the car.
He tells her that she will be charged and to get out as she argues with him. She inexplicably insists that she did nothing wrong and “didn’t run away.” She gets out of the car and the officer tells her to face the van to be cuffed. After she locks herself back into the van, the officer takes his baton and starts to break windows even though he knows that children are seated inside. The flying glass constitutes an obvious threat to the children and this is the first serious breach that I can see. I do not understand why they do not immobilize the van or why he decides to break the window next to the children rather than the driver.
As he is smashing the windows, she drives away. That is when another officer fires three shots directly into a van filled with children. It is a shocking use of force with no concern for the children inside the van. At this point, Ferrell is only accused of a minor traffic stop, leaving the scene, and resisting arrest. There has been no weapon or attack on the officer. Yet, this officer put three slugs through the back of a van filled with children.
Ferrell then leads the police on a 10-minute chase before turning herself in. The New Mexico State Police have not removed any of the officers from active duty.
Ferrell was charged with five counts of abuse of a child, aggravated fleeing an officer, resisting an officer, reckless driving and possession of drug paraphernalia. The abuse of a child is interesting given the fact that it was the officers that fired into a van full of children. Moreover, it is not clear what the basis is for the charge against her teenage son for battery of an officer.
As the video below shows, there was ample reason for an arrest, but the excessive force used by the police is very disturbing and warrants a full investigation. The officer firing the weapon could have killed three children with this unjustified use of force. The police had multiple cars and could easily stop a minivan without resulting to the use of potentially lethal force.
What do you think?
Kudos: Michael Blott
Arguably the most liberal city in the US, Madison, Wi., was recently found to be the most racist. A liberal group called Race to Equity did a study on racial disparity in Madison/Dane County. They expected it to show Madison to be in the upper echelon of diverse cities. Well, they did the research, crunched the numbers, and to their shock and shame, found this elitist, pompous, progressive city to have the worst racial disparity in the US. This is big news here in “Paradise.” Ironically, this is something many critical thinkers, and virtually all black people, except for those in the elite white establishment, have been saying for decades.The leaders are beginning to go through the different stages of grief. Maybe, by pointing out the lack of diversity here will help change things. Don’t you all think that is a worthy goal???
nick,
Having another hissy fit? Sit back and chill.
Sensitive and defensive? No…we’re just wondering why you feel the need to know the racial makeup and professions of the people who comment on this blog when it’s none of your business.
“Drop it. Now.” My, my, my. Aren’t you the assertive one Mr. Stanley. I’m inquiring into the diversity of this blog. I WILL NEVER drop it. So, deal w/ it. And, since I am seeing just how sensitive and defensive the GBers are on this important topic, I believe I will be bringing it up more frequently. It’s a First Amendment thing.
Nick,
Methinks you are the one who needs to let this rest. Drop it. Now. As one of my professors liked to point out, “Once you have that information what do you plan to do with it?”
nick,
You’re the one who has made assumptions and claims about the people who comment on this blog. We don’t recruit people. People visit this blog of their own free will. I don’t have a problem with that.
Plus whenever I log on this blog smells like patchouli oil.
nick,
The problem here is yours. You’ve been told what the policy is here. If that presents a problem, I remind you again that your participation is voluntary. However, no one appointed you “blog diversity chairman” or any other position. If you don’t like your perceived composition of the guests in this salon, feel free to find a party more to your liking or start your own.
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Nick said: “I don’t know of any black folk or cops currently commenting.”
Well, if nick doesn’t know of any “black folk or cops” currently commenting on this blog–then there can’t be any, doncha know!
No one has come out as far as I know saying their black. Until I know we have @ least a few black folk I’ll call this suburb lily white. How do you know it’s not lily white??
OS, That tired old dog just won’t hunt. Put the ol’ boy to sleep.
nick,
How do you know that this is a “lily white” group? Care to explain how you came by that knowledge?
Wow. Why is is everyone so sensitive. Listen, this is a lily white, insular group here. Whenever I bring it up everyone gets huffy, defensive and even a bit paranoid. The first step in solving a problem is admitting you have one.
Nick,
Probing for personal data is one of the quickest ways to get banned. Not only on this site, but most blogs. If someone has personal information about a commenter, that information is to be treated as confidential unless the user him or herself wishes to reveal it. That is all I am going to say on the subject, so let’s drop it.
nick,
Many people have divulged personal information about themselves and many have not. I have no way of knowing whether the personal information people divulged was factual or not. I can’t verify the things they’ve said. That’s what else I have to say.
nick,
You’ve been told time and again, the choice of how much of their personal lives commentators wish to share is entirely at their discretion. While I know the GB’s and several other regular posters, I would not violate their discretion or privacy simply for the sake of your curiosity.
Elaine, I’m simply asking. Many people have divulged their occupation, race, state/city they reside, sexual preference, economic/political affiliation, hobbies, favorite sports, etc. I don’t know of any black folk or cops currently commenting. Apparently you don’t either. What else is there to say?
nick,
I have no idea who any of the people who comment on this blog are–except for the guest bloggers…and one other person. I have no knowledge of their ethnicity or race or profession–unless they’ve made note of such in their comments. Maybe you’d care to enlighten us as to how you know/acquired information about the ethnicities, races, professions of the people who comment on this blog.
I would like it.
This was a black driver and a cop. We have neither presently commenting on this thread and I’m not certain any of those demographics commenting in months. Enlighten me, please. Don’t you think it would be edifying to have a cop or black person commenting on this?
Any substantive comments. And where are the alleged present ones