Georgia Pastor Killed in Botched Drug Bust

Reason ^ | 3 September, 2009 | Radley Balko

[marktwain]

From the comments:

"According to an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the family were first told that he died in an automobile accident. After that, they were told that he had been shot. It was only later on that it was revealed to the family that it was an officer-related (aka 'isolated incident') shooting.

And yes, of course, according to the police spokesman who wasn't on the scene, the officers did try to warn him: “They yelled, ‘Police. Stop,’” Shirley said."

[BGHater]

Atlanta had a some rogues a few years ago that killed some people and planted evidence on a old lady during a drug raid.

[PLMerite]

“They yelled, ‘Police. Stop,’” Shirley said.”

Shirley you must be joking.

[RedMonqey]

They shot the wrong Ayers.....

[Natural Law]

Another public execution for the crime of contempt of cop?

[agere_contra]

I'd have trouble hearing someone yelling 'Police stop' from behind my car if the motor was running.

More importantly - if they didn't look like cops, I wouldn't sit around waiting to be mugged no matter what they were yelling. I'd drive the hell out of there, and if that meant menacing the muggers with my car it would be sheer self-defence.

A cop in plainclothes cannot expect to be obeyed without displaying a badge. At the very best this was a clusterfrack - at worst, someone needs to go to jail.

[GulchBound]

If a car load of armed civilians jumps out of a vehicle with weapons drawn and approaches in a menacing manner, they deserve any lead thrown in their direction. If you're a cop, you'd better damn well look like one. If you're not dressed like a cop, you're a civilian. Anybody can say 'Stop, Police' while firing in your direction, and dodging bullets while waiting for them to show an ID is not a recipe for a long life.

Next time it might be the officer that catches the lead... for the safety of every other officer out there, they need to throw the book at these SOBs and lock them away permanently.

[GulchBound]

Not to mention that they shot a fleeing suspect. There is no reasonable self-defence excuse.

Book-em Dano!

[Colvin]

To Quote the president...
The police acted stupidly.

I am glad I live in an area where most of the populace is armed, and we are rarely visited by the sheriffs department.

[GulchBound]

Maybe it’s the cops that need to have their access to guns restricted? There had better be some immediate and loud outrage on the part of law enforcement or I could see this turning ugly.

[NativeNewYorker]

Victim on right.

[mkjessup]

So much for ‘Officer Friendly’.

[Tailback]

If killing the innocent pastor saves just one child from smoking a joint, it was worth it...

(/drug warrior mode)

[DPMD]

Damn! I saw only the words “Ayers,” and “killed by police.”

What a disappointment.

[The Sons of Liberty]

Wrong Ayers

[Infralutheran]

This appears to be Pastor Ayers blog http://jonathanayers.blogspot.com/

All I can say is sad. I would have liked to meet him here on earth. Sounds like he was a cool guy.

[deks]

Video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl4a4Y2sMVk&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fnews%2Egoogle%2Ecom%2Fnews%3Fclient%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26q%3DJonathan%2BAyers%26oe%3DUTF%2D8%26um%3D1%26ie%3DUTF%2D8%26hl%3Den%26ei%3DJUSlSq3vBY%2DDngfLo8jmBA%26sa%3DX%26oi&feature=player_embedded#t=53

After backing up and stopping he is driving away from the two men, one of whom appears to be pointing a gun at him.

[Drew68]

If killing the innocent pastor saves just one child from smoking a joint, it was worth it...

Sarcasm aside, they didn't even recover any drugs.

[BruceysMom]

Prayers for those he left behind, and justice for those that caused his demise. I come from a family of Baptist ministers. This hits close to home.

[truthguy]

A cop in plainclothes cannot expect to be obeyed without displaying a badge.

Exactly! Any half wit criminal could say he's a cop and then carjack you. If they are willing to carjack you then they would have no qualms about claiming they are cops. This whole thing stinks. There's more to this story. This is another tragedy in the madness of our drug war. This must stop.