Posted on 07/13/2005 9:22:25 AM PDT by radar101
Under increasing community criticism over a police standoff that resulted in a toddler's death, an angry LAPD Chief William Bratton lashed out Tuesday, describing Jose Raul Pena as a "cold-blooded killer" responsible for his own daughter's death.
We're outraged because this baby had to die," Najee Ali, director for Islam Project Hope. "This community is on edge, and we're at the breaking point."
Even before all reports are in, Bratton acknowledged it is likely that bullets fired by police killed the toddler as well as the gunman, but he said that made Pena no less responsible for the death of his own daughter. In his most detailed account yet of what happened, Bratton said Pena's wife, Lorena Lopez, called from Pena's auto-repair shop in the 10400 block of Avalon Boulevard at 2 p.m. Sunday and said Pena had threatened to kill her.
At 3:47 p.m., Pena's 17-year-old stepdaughter called 911 from a nearby location, saying he had threatened her, too. When officers arrived, Pena was holding toddler Susie and a 9 mm handgun that he fired at police, Bratton said.
Eventually, Pena fired at the stepdaughter when she tried to escape, Bratton said. The teenager was pinned down until officers got her to safety during a dramatic rescue captured by television cameras.
"She indicated that the father had threatened to kill her, kill the baby, kill himself, kill the mother," Bratton said. Hostage negotiators first reached Pena by telephone about 5 p.m. and kept the line open. He briefly engaged in conversation about 5:30 p.m., but abruptly stopped talking.
Then Pena soon fired again, hitting Officer Daniel Sanchez, 39, in the shoulder. Police returned fire. Both Pena and the girl were killed.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailynews.com ...
The second case. He is a homegrown person (If you go to the article, his picture is there. He may be affiliated with a Plaintiff's Attorney.
"We're outraged because this baby had to die," Najee Ali, director for Islam Project Hope
No, actually Ali, the baby didn't have to die. But let's assign blame where blame belongs, okay?
yeah , but just a FRiendly FReeper point,... it was quite a different dynamic here then, Rudy & Bratton , I hope yer correct , we'll see
If you're such a true believer in MSM reports, what are you doing at FR? What qualifies you to be a critic of the LAPD based on hearsay? What we DO know is that the perpetrator Pena caused this tragic series of events. I agree with the Chief on this one.
So --- break. We're really scared. Go right ahead. Bratton is right -- the father is the perp in this. The LAPD did what WE pay them to do -- take criminals out of the gene pool.
I am glad Bratton, came out and took a strong stance . They call the cops and then cry foul. LAPD is always under fire. Glad Bratton spoke up. I don't live in LA. Every time there is a police chase, killing it's racist. blame the cops. Activist, lawyers are on every street corner waiting to cash in.
Same old California bashing from the ignorant. Oh, by the way, did you notice that Free Republic is based in the California that you hate?
If the dad had lived, he would have been charged with murder, would he not, for causing the crime scene which resulted in the baby's death? I faxed a letter to LAPD Chief Bratton this morning, a BIG thank you. He's come out in support of the SWAT Team -- 'they have children, too, and they want to come home alive.' Thank you! This is just a big thing to get a lawsuit going, I think.
If the dad had lived, he would have been charged with murder, would he not, for causing the crime scene which resulted in the baby's death? I faxed a letter to LAPD Chief Bratton this morning, a BIG thank you. He's come out in support of the SWAT Team -- 'they have children, too, and they want to come home alive.' Thank you! This is just a big thing to get a lawsuit going, I think.
Not to start a flame war -- but NYPD was, is and will continue to be the finest police dept. in the country. Bratton has his work cut out for him out in L.A.
I don't understand your post -- what is it that Bratton did in NYC? Did you/ they like him?
The shootout took place inside an office area during the storming of the nut's position, not somewhere a sniper could have taken the guy out.
The only real alternative would have been to just leave the guy alone. Had they done so, and he killed the little girl and himself, that would have been the cop's fault too. Just as LEOs were criticized at Columbine for NOT storming the building.
Look at it this way NAJEE. Call it a preemptive strike on a future infidel. That's one less adult non-believer to deal with down the road you friggin' a$$ jockey. /rant
I don't want to shock you too much, but there are actually some worthy human beings living in L.A., deserving of safety and protection.
Are you saying L.A. deserves to have Pena and his ilk shooting and killing whomever...?
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Bratton and a few other very forward thinking brass modernized the NYPD. They understood how technology could help and hinder law enforcement. They began cracking down on seemingly insignificant "quality of life" crimes that lead the way for larger crimes. They brought in systems that created greater accountability among mid-level brass. And, they won back the trust of many minority neighborhoods.
What Bratton et al did in NYC became a model for cities around the country.
The "demonstration" last night looked like the beginnings of a riot; they're itching to get one going.
What I should have said is, if you give a guy like Bratton enough leeway, he'll change things for the better. If he's tripped up in politics etc., then his talents are wasted.
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