So the two vehicles parked right behind Finicum’s truck with guns pointed at his vehicle did not show the intention to stop him? Then why did he come flying out of his truck when he ran into the roadblock? Why would he have his hands up if he had only had an innocent traffic accident?
Then why did he come flying out of his truck when he ran into the roadblock? Why would he have his hands up if he had only had an innocent traffic accident?
= = =
He figured it out fast.
Running into a roadblock hidden around a corner is not a traffic accident.
PS I think he took off, after waiting, to get to the next county and it’s sheriff. He speeded up pretty good.
Backing up to the earlier video:
He stopped when the vehicle behind him was stopped.
His vehicle was not approached, (at least not so you could see anyone coming up to the vehicle on camera, either on foot or in another vehicle). He stayed at that spot for a while with no forward motion of the vehicle.
He then proceeded down the road, slowly at first, then picking up speed. If the dashes painted on the road are an indication, he was doing roughly 55-60 when he came around the turn, no pursuit vehicle in evidence on the video. He appeared to increase his speed, but dual solid lines make that difficult to estimate. He came around the last turn before the roadblock.
When he saw the roadblock, he hit the brakes, they stayed on (as evidenced by the brake lights until the vehicle stopped), and it was evident he was not going to stop in time. He took the left ditch.
At that point, it seems pretty evident that the roadblock is meant for him, and that any promises of 'safe passage' to the meeting were bullsh*t.
With that many guns, the mission is to survive and sort it out, not shoot it out.
I have been in similar circumstances, even though I had committed no crime. You make no sudden movements, remain calm (not as easy as it sounds), and sort things out with the LEOs. I did and am still here to discuss it.
He, however was standing in deep snow which makes balance problematical, and his movements were likely in response to officer commands: things like "Hands up!", "Freeze!", "Move to the rear of the vehicle!" and "Step away from the vehicle!" all said at the same time.
Needless to say, it is impossible to simultaneously comply with conflicting orders.
Any hand or arm movements which are made involuntarily in an attempt to maintain balance can be misinterpreted easily by people who have been briefed to expect a shootout.
Without audio, it is impossible to say who said what or when the first shot was fired from the video.
It is pretty well documented that in such situations the first shot, fired intentionally or otherwise by either side, will prompt others to discharge their weapons, too.