What's the point of being undercover if they're going to break down a door (and do anything in which they need to be known as police)? It seems as though they deserve the blame, not only for breaking into the wrong house (which could be excusable), but for failing to make it clear that they were police officers, thereby making the shooting far more likely.<<<<<<<
Another possibility:
Before everyone assumes the cops screwed up, it's very common for thugs/dope dealers to lie and use Grandma's address as their residence to the parole/probation officer or court. Sometimes they actually live there, often they just keep stuff there or use the property from time to time. If an actual warrant was obtained, then there was other info indicating criminal activity at the location.
Often, the press confuses serving a warrant with a warrantless search (probation/parole, can be done with or by the cops), which is often done at the address of record. Normally, a knock and notice is done first, on those searches. So Jr. could have given Grandma's address all over town, and be living elsewhere.
I'm guessing Grandma didn't answer the door, and the cops aren't about to stand out front while everyone inside gets rid of evidence or gathers weapons. Normally, there would be good reason to believe the thug was there or doing business there, so there isn't enough info at this point to know what happened. I sincerely hope nobody broke into the wrong address, wrong street, whatever.
Sad event, but likely there were other circumstances not disclosed. When the thugs use Grandma's address as their own, they subject that property to search and seizure as per their probation/parole conditions, nice thing to do to Grandma. I've dealt with many a mad Granny, but it doesn't usually end up tragic like this case.
Sad event? How bout tragic most horrifying event?
When the thugs use grandma's house, everyone should know and find a way to catch the sorry low life bastard on the street.
I'd call that a major srewup. Impeach the judge who issues a warrant on info like that.
A little due diligence is in order in situations like this.
Daily surveillance of the home in question for some period of time (a few days at least) to verify that the residence is truly a drug house.
If it is verified that the home is indeed a drug house there are two approaches that could have prevented this tragedy.
Monitor the home for a day and wait for the dealer to leave the residence. Then make a traditional service of warrant. (Uniformed police, knock, identify and search). After the home is entered and drugs found arrest the perp.
Monitor the home for a day and wait for the dealer to enter the residence. Perform your no knock raid as soon as possible.
I have read of similar No Knocks performed on no more than the word of an informant who was not even made to point out the home only gave an address.
Warrants are to be issued on sworn affidavit that a crime is believed to have been committed. Judges need to require more than the word of informants before issuing search warrants (particularly when many informants are criminals with extensive criminal records themselves simply looking for favorable treatment) . The police need to do some work to be more certain that they have the correct home.
Those who act with out practicing due diligence must be held accountable especially when innocents are harmed.
It appears that an innocent woman has lost her life due to the failure of narcotics detectives to be sure of their facts. Those in the position to make the decision to make a no knock raid on this house must be held accountable for their failure to ensure that they had the correct home and that actions were take to ensure the safety of the innocent.