Police Storm Wrong Apartment, Resident Dies of Heart Attack

WABC News NYC ^ | May 16, 2003 | Art McFarland

[Unknown Freeper]

(Harlem-WABC, May 16, 2003) — Police smashed down an apartment door and used a flash grenade in their search for a potentially dangerous suspect. But it was the wrong apartment, and the woman who lived inside is now dead after suffering a heart attack.

Police smashed down an apartment door and used a flash grenade in their search for a potentially dangerous suspect. But it was the wrong apartment, and the woman who lived inside is now dead after suffering a heart attack.

What happened at 310 W. 143rd Street was meant to be the end result of a drug investigation based on confidential information from a police informant. But it is now among the most tragic errors of the NYPD.

Lucille Ross, Building Resident: "She was such a lovely person. If something was to happen with her like this, I want to know why."

The search warrant was apparently issued for apartment 6F in the multi-unit building. It was the home of Alberta Spruill.

Today Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said it was based on what investigators thought was reliable information. But it all turned out to be a terrible mistake.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly: "Entry was made by officers from our Emergency Services Unit who used a flash grenade during that entry. Once inside the officers found the occupant, a 57-year-old woman, identified as Alberta Spruill. She was briefly handcuffed while police conducted a cursory search of the apartment. The patrol captain then entered, and saw that the apartment did not match the description given by the informant, and immediately ordered that the handcuffs be removed."

The commissioner said Ms. Spruill soon told officers she had a heart condition, and then complained of chest pains. EMS was called to the scene and administered aid. But Ms. Spruill died a short time later at Harlem Hospital.

Commissioner Ray Kelly: "On behalf of the entire New York City Police Department, I want to offer my condolences and sympathy to the family of Alberta Spruill. I also want to offer my apology. This is indeed a profound tragedy."

Calvin Alston, Building Resident: "We're all just devestated. Really devestated. Because this is a woman that got up and went to church every day ... went to work every day. And we're all just devestated that this would happen to someone like this."

Police Commissioner Kelly did say a "flash grenade" was used at apartment 6F before officers entered. It may be the use of that flash grenade broke procedure. The ESU lieutenant who used it is now on administrative leave pending the investigation. Those grenades have been used 85 times this year.

And NYPD tells us only four mistakes out of 1,900 search warrants have been made this year. The investigation of this tragedy continues.

[Amelia]

I don't think I said the majority or many...

I said, I don't think MOST people in these professions use drugs. and you replied, get your head out of the sand.

but a interesting story here.

Yes, I'm sure that the sites in favor of legalizing drugs have plenty of stories about upstanding citizens using drugs. Consider the source.

Now, would you care to back up your assertions with some facts from unbiased sources, or are you speaking from personal knowledge?

[Amelia]

I think those that are pro-drugs want the assumption out there everyone else is extremely stained with human flaw so their vice can been seen in some acceptable light.

I think you've hit the nail on the head.

[ThinkDifferent]

Those that "advocate (approve)" "illegal (against the law)" drugs regarding selling, transportation and use.

Fair enough. Then it does not apply to most anti-WOD Freepers, who want to change existing drug laws but do not sell, transport, or use illegal drugs, or advocate such activities.

[TLBSHOW]

YOU CAN'T READ?

Why not spend some time in the


library on the internet

[dennisw]

Mutants is the right word for the assassins who push hard drugs. A trial and swift execution is too good for them.



Words and music by Hoyt Axton

You know I've smoked a lot of grass
O' Lord, I've popped a lot of pills
But I never touched nothin'
That my spirit could kill
You know, I've seen a lot of people walkin' 'round
With tombstones in their eyes
But the pusher don't care
Ah, if you live or if you die

God damn, The Pusher
God damn, I say The Pusher
I said God damn, God damn The Pusher man

[justshe]

TLBSHOW to A CA Guy
On News/Activism ^ 05/16/2003 3:56 PM PDT #52 of 144 ^

do you know how many police officers smoke Pot?

LOTS!

---

TLBSHOW: So the question is why aren't the teachers the lawyers the police officers or the judges homes doors busted down?

AMELIA: The question is, how do you know all these people are using drugs?

Answer the question, Todd.

Nice try at dodgeball....but you aren't a kid anymore.

Answer the question, Todd.......as I've shown you your OWN words. And I suggest YOU do the research to bolster YOUR ASSERTIONS. "Can't you read?", I think you said.

[A CA Guy]

"You mean they all do it and therefore everybody should use drugs" wouldn't be a sufficient enough answer?

I'm shocked, shocked I tell you!

Next thing you are going to tell me is that there are liberals hiding in conservative clothing that have a political party obsessed with the right to do illegal drugs in the name of the Constitution.

[sit-rep]

I can just see the energy they all had on their faces when the count down started. A bunch of yahoos. WTF ever happened to knock and serve warrant? Surround the apartment and knock peacefully, warrant in hand.

[Doe Eyes]

The use of tobacco is "illegal (against the law)" in many locations in the United States. I take it you have no problem with these restrictions. Would you mind if the elderly woman next door when killed as part of the war on tobacco?

[headsonpikes]

POST #14.

We made it that far before your classless, inhumane comment about how the old biddy had only her own poor health to blame.

You, sir, are a cad.

[harrowup]

"I think those that are pro-drugs want the assumption out there everyone else is extremely stained with human flaw so their vice can been seen in some acceptable light. "

I think you've hit the nail on the head.

I think you've both hit your head too often without a helmet on.

The death of this 57 year old innocent victim has nothing to do with who wants to legalize drugs and who wants to blame everyone else for whatever is wrong today.

This death was caused by a team of licensed goons who had no business busting down a lady's door...even if Jack the Ripper, Al Capone, Marquis deSade and Lizzy Borden were inside with all of Husseins' WMD's.

[visualops]

It wasn't just the grenade as some have said, but they handcuffed her while searching her apartment. Plus, it isn't as if they calmly meander through. Everyone knows a raid like this would be loud and fast. I think that would be terribly frightening and traumatic for ANYONE. All the comments about unfortunate collateral damage are nonsense. It would have been very easy to find out who lived in that apartment and what their lifestyle was. I guess it's just nab 'em first, investigate later. There is no excuse whatsoever for raiding the wrong home.
When peoples' lives are involved, you can't just say "oops".



"devestated"
Can't News 7 afford a spellchecker?

[Amelia]

The death of this 57 year old innocent victim has nothing to do with who wants to legalize drugs and who wants to blame everyone else for whatever is wrong today.

I didn't say it did...I was arguing a side topic, which is whether or not most police officers, teachers, lawyers, and judges smoke marijuana. I don't think they do. What do you think?

[ActionNewsBill]

What village are you talking about? The ones the illegal drug users are called "The village of the dammed".

Illegal drug users didn't kill the woman, and she didn't die due to poor health. The fact remains that the cops had the wrong address, and killed an innocent woman, while you cheer her death and try to place the blame on others.

That's what is meant by the statement. Maybe a better one would be "You have to break a few eggs to make an omelet."

The point is, you don't care how many innocents have to die at the hands of corrupt and incompetent police..The drug warriors, you included, are in part responsible for her death because you support this kind of criminal behavior by police,

[TLBSHOW]

Sorry to disappoint you but the cops are at fault for killing this lady and that is the bottomline.

You can never stop pot it grows anywhere. But you can stop hard core drugs and we should, but then you would have to want to, and this govt does not want to.

[headsonpikes]

POST #14...you strike again! "Horrible health."

Probably smoked and drank....eh, Clenched A?

Geez, you just don't quit, do you?

[justshe]

~~~Next thing you are going to tell me is that there are liberals hiding in conservative clothing that have a political party obsessed with the right to do illegal drugs in the name of the Constitution.~~~

I think we have discovered another 'closet' toker.... a liberal hiding in conservative clothing advocating people should and DO break the 'two faced law.

It's a SHOCK.....isn't it?

[TLBSHOW]

No spinning, I said Lots do, not most. Since lots do and they are cops they are hypocrites.

[Newbomb Turk]

We gunna smoke a ounce to this !