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2 charged in officer's shooting
Contra Costa Times ^ | 4/25/5 | Chris Metinko

Posted on 04/25/2005 8:05:01 AM PDT by SmithL

A Pittsburg police officer shot twice Saturday evening remained on life support and in critical condition Sunday.

The officer, 36-year-old Larry Lasater of Pacheco, suffered two gunshot wounds as he chased two robbery suspects on the Delta De Anza trail at about 6 p.m. near Belle Drive and Desrys Boulevard.

Pittsburg police Capt. William Zbacnik identified the man who allegedly shot Lasater as 18-year-old Alexander Rashad Hamilton of Antioch. The other robbery suspect's identity was withheld because he is 17.

The Saturday shooting occurred after two armed, masked men entered a Raley's supermarket on Buchanan Road and robbed the store as well as a Wells Fargo bank branch inside. The robbers then drove away in a car, lost control and crashed.

Police pursued two men on foot.

According to Zbacnik, Lasater saw or heard the shooting suspect hiding in some bushes along the trail. When he called for the man to come out, he was fired at multiple times and hit twice. Lasater was wearing a bullet-resistant vest.

Other officers returned fire but did not hit Hamilton, who then surrendered. A semiautomatic handgun was reportedly found in the suspect's possession. Antioch police arrested the other suspect a short distance away. Although witnesses reported seeing two weapons during the robbery, the juvenile did not possess a weapon when he was arrested, according to police.

Zbacnik said Lasater joined the force in September 2002. He refused to say where the officer was hit. He did say Lasater underwent hours of surgery at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, where he remains. Zbacnik said many Pittsburg officers, including Police Chief Aaron Baker, were at the hospital Sunday offering support to Lasater's family, including Lasater's wife who is seven-months pregnant.

Zbacnik called the shooting a "tremendous blow" to the department and said the atmosphere around the station was "difficult to describe."

Sunday afternoon, officers from several agencies -- including Danville, Antioch, Pittsburg and the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office -- still were canvassing the Delta De Anza trail.

Zbacnik said Hamilton has had other run-ins with Pittsburg and Antioch police. He declined to give specifics.

Both Hamilton and the juvenile have been charged with attempted murder and robbery, according to police.

The shooting is the second involving a Pittsburg police officer in the past two years. In 2003, Inspector Ray Giacomelli was killed while investigating a homicide. He was the first Pittsburg officer killed in the line of duty since 1935.

"We all said at that time, we never wanted to go through this again," said a solemn Zbacnik.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: banglist; leo; officerdown; officershooting
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The Officer has undergone hours of surgery and still is on life support as of this morning. Prayers for the Officer, his family, and fellow officers.
1 posted on 04/25/2005 8:05:03 AM PDT by SmithL
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To: SmithL
Prayers sent. May God allow full recovery.
GE
2 posted on 04/25/2005 8:08:32 AM PDT by GrandEagle
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To: GrandEagle

The 17 year old won't face the death penalty if the officer doesn't make it. After all that 17 year piece of human filth is considered a more productive citizen than the police officer with a wife and child on the way, he's facing the death penalty for doing his job.


3 posted on 04/25/2005 8:12:23 AM PDT by boofus
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To: SmithL
Did you guys here about this guy?


4 posted on 04/25/2005 8:18:42 AM PDT by Idisarthur
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To: Idisarthur

Is that the guy from PG County, MD?


5 posted on 04/25/2005 8:19:49 AM PDT by cardinal4 (George W Bush-Bringing a new democracy every term..)
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To: cardinal4

No that's the guy from Provence RI who jumped out a third story window after shooting a detective with his own gun. he was a suspect in the stabbing of an 84 year old woman. In the back naturally. His family is charging Police Brutality.


6 posted on 04/25/2005 8:30:22 AM PDT by massgopguy (massgopguy)
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To: GrandEagle

I just heard on the radio that the family is making arrangements to donate his organs. Not a good sign.


7 posted on 04/25/2005 8:44:40 AM PDT by SmithL (Proud Submariner)
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To: massgopguy

Any more details or a link?


8 posted on 04/25/2005 8:49:14 AM PDT by B4Ranch (Report every illegal alien that you meet. Call 866-347-2423)
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To: SmithL; 4woodenboats; 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; Accountable One; Aeronaut; AKA Elena; Alamo-Girl; ..
Urgent Prayer ping.


Prayers for this officer...Lord, please have Mercy on him...spare him. Allow him to be here for the child he and his wife are expecting! In Jesus' precious name...Amen

Blessings,
trussell

If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.

9 posted on 04/25/2005 8:50:32 AM PDT by trussell (Prayers for the children!)
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To: SmithL

No, not good at all


10 posted on 04/25/2005 8:52:28 AM PDT by GrandEagle
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To: SmithL

Prayers sent.


11 posted on 04/25/2005 8:53:57 AM PDT by TXBSAFH (Never underestimate the power of human stupidity--Robert Heinlein)
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To: SmithL

God bless and keep this officer and his family.


12 posted on 04/25/2005 8:55:57 AM PDT by hershey
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To: SmithL

Prayers for the officer, his family and the medical personnel involved.


13 posted on 04/25/2005 8:57:49 AM PDT by EternalVigilance ("But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.")
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To: Idisarthur

This cop killer's family will sue and collect big time. Alice in Wonderland time.


14 posted on 04/25/2005 8:57:55 AM PDT by hershey
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To: SmithL

I join in prayer for this officer and his loved ones!


15 posted on 04/25/2005 8:58:22 AM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: SmithL

Prayers sent.


16 posted on 04/25/2005 9:19:47 AM PDT by WV Mountain Mama (Anyone else able to track the hubby's movements by open drawers,cabinets and clothes on the floor?)
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To: trussell
Oh Lord, please spare the life of Officer Larry Lasater. Help him to recover. Comfort his wife and coworkers, help them to feel your peace. And Lord, I do pray for justice.
17 posted on 04/25/2005 9:36:10 AM PDT by FreedomHasACost
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To: SmithL

Dear God I ask humbly for you to bless and heal my brother. Provide comfort and strength to his wife and family to overcome this hardship whatever your will may be. St. Michael, watch over the Pittsburg Police Dept., guide them through this difficult time and protect them. Amen.


18 posted on 04/25/2005 11:14:45 AM PDT by Horatio Gates (Minutemen; just doing their part in community policing)
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To: boofus
The 17 year old won't face the death penalty if the officer doesn't make it.

How come? They charge juveniles all the time.

19 posted on 04/25/2005 11:42:17 AM PDT by Nov3 ("This is the best election night in history." --DNC chair Terry McAuliffe Nov. 2,2004 8p.m.)
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To: Nov3

17 year old murderers can not be sentenced to death because 5 liberal members of the US Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional because countries in Europe have laws against putting minors to death.


20 posted on 04/25/2005 11:52:10 AM PDT by boofus
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