Posted on 04/23/2005 8:54:31 PM PDT by SmithL
SPRING VALLEY, Ill. - A man under arrest inside a police station wrested away an officer's gun Saturday, beat the officer over the head with it and was later found dead of a gunshot wound in the building, authorities said.
Robert McFadin, 31, was in a holding area when he allegedly took the gun and assaulted the officer. The officer then fled with another employee, leaving the suspect locked inside the building, Police Chief Douglas Bernabei said.
When other law enforcement officers arrived, they entered the building and found the suspect dead of a gunshot wound to the head, Bernabei said. Authorities said the wound was self-inflicted.
The injured officer was being treated at a hospital, but his injuries did not appear to be life threatening, Bernabei said. McFadin was not handcuffed at the time of the attack, officials said.
"It was one of the most brutal assaults I have seen in 25 years of law enforcement," Bernabei said.
Spring Valley is about 100 miles west of Chicago.
Bernabei said McFadin was spotted early Saturday driving near the home of his estranged wife, who had filed a protection order against him. Police pulled him over and arrested him for drunk driving, Bernabei said.
McFadin posted bond later that morning and was released, but police arrested him again when he confronted his wife later at a restaurant, Bernabei said.
There has been a spate of inmates or suspects attacking officers for their guns recently - with deadly consequences.
Last Sunday, a Providence, R.I., detective was killed with his own gun at police headquarters by a suspect who was not handcuffed and managed to get hold of the weapon.
In March, a defendant in a rape trial in Atlanta allegedly overpowered a court deputy and took her gun, then killed the judge presiding over his case, a court reporter, a deputy outside the courthouse and a federal customs agent.
The suspects in both incidents were arrested and charged with murder.
On Thursday in Augusta, Ga., hospital police shot and killed an inmate who fled a medical building after overpowering a state corrections officer and taking his gun, authorities said.
It's probably not the cops' fault, but they're obviously poorly trained.
Grabbing a gun to kill yourself is quite different than making an escape attempt, like happened in Rhode Island.
Not to the officer who is attacked, naturally... you don't know what their intention is, all you know is that someone's grabbing your damn gun!
This particular incident sounds like a problem that solved itself. I am glad he just took himself.
When other law enforcement officers arrived, they entered the building and found the suspect dead of a gunshot wound to the head, Bernabei said. Authorities said the wound was self-inflicted.
Obviously this man did everyone a favor but saving our tax dollars from prosecuting him and housing him for 20 years.
When other law enforcement officers arrived, they entered the building and found the suspect dead of a gunshot wound to the head, Bernabei said. Authorities said the wound was self-inflicted.
Obviously this man did everyone a favor by saving our tax dollars from prosecuting him and housing him for 20 years.
*ping*
I suppose the cops are saying it was "self inflicted". What a joke.
Maybe the man was freakin' nuts on meth or something.
I'd certainly expect to see an investigation to confirm it was a suicide, but it sure looks like one. Why would they lie about shooting someone who was attempting to overpower an officer?
That's exactly what they're saying. Do you have any proof that it wasn't, or are you just venting an anti-cop attitude?
An examination of the bullet(s) that are retrieved will tell the truth.
Don't be surprised if this story changes as the investigation progresses.
The criminals are now emboldened. Way to go political correctness crowd!!!!
Frankly, I don't care who shot him. I'm glad he's dead.
The media does do its share of soliciting copy-cat crime, doesn't it?
That's exactly what they're saying. Do you have any proof that it wasn't, or are you just venting an anti-cop attitude?
Do you have any proof they didn't? Are you a union hack cop who clams up on bad cop behavior? If so you bear watching.
Well stick your head in the sand if you want but the guy is dead isn't he? It was a cops gun, wasn't it? What more do you need? More proof of the zionist occupational new world order black helicopter police state.
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