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.

[asneditor]

Pure Hogwash!

You sound like you will do anything the government tells you to do. I really do feel sorry for fools like you.

If our founding fathers had the attitude you do we would still be part of Britain.

[newwahoo]

"The Judge who signed the warrant and the keystone kops who participated should pay. If their pockets are not deep enough empty their pension funds."

Cool. If thats the new policy I'm going to have to take a crash course in fiddle playing 'cause NYC will be burning before you know it.

[A CA Guy]

If they get illegal drug use, they perhaps would sell their own mothers into slavery, so I wouldn't expect a quick "no" at any time on that kind of question around these drug threads.

[A CA Guy]

Not at all, I find plenty to challenge the government on and try and change through the Republican party.

I don't think backing illegal drugs is either honorable or ethical though and to try and back it in the name of the Constitution is warped.

[newwahoo]

"I for one will tonight keep you, a hero police officer, in my prayers that God blesses you and keeps His umbrella of protection around you. God Bless your service to our country. We are blessed as a people to have you."

I'm just doing a job I love to do. I chased a bad guy through traffic the other day and it just made my week knowing that he wouldn't be stealing things from people at least for a little while. Thank you for the prayers though. I've only had one minor injury so far, but all prayers are very welcome.

I don't have any problem with people wanting to change the drug laws through the political process. I do disagree though when they try to wreck the LE profession to reach their goal. We're only enforcing the laws as they stand. Destroying this magnificent department is high on the list of local liberal goals, and I can't stand seeing people here join in that.

They stand arm-in-arm with fat, lying Al Sharpton and his minions.

[A CA Guy]

I would hope under any case or situation they wouldn't, but you can never say never with kids.
The biggest preventer of troubled lives for children is for them to eat dinner with their parents because they then won't lose the bond with the parents that would help stop them crossing the line into negative values.
Unless they were born to Libertarian/ACLU types, then they were lost before their birth if their parents practice what they preach.

[newwahoo]

"The story further down stated that this was the only accidental death our of 1900 entries and this woman has a pre-existing condition for a fatal heart attack. Granted they should review this to see if things could get even better, but by what I read, they do pretty darn good. I figure if they stopped this kind of entry and enforcement of the law, thousands more would be dead by people who would have killed, been killed or over-dosed. Do it is a tragedy, but to lose hundreds or thousands of others by stopping is no answer."

Its a tragedy, and one I'm sure she will always remain with those involved. An older guy told me once "kid, you just can't win here with the liberals. Just get out with your ass, your sanity and your pension in one piece and you've done good".

[A CA Guy]

The reason that destroying departments like that is a priority is that they are in fact anarchist. Anything should go.
As far as Sharpton is concerned, he'd kill a brother if it would get him a degree of more power and money.
He is a betrayer of the people he claims he serves and his type only keeps his people down.

I have a cousin who was among those digging out bodies during 9-11 and is an officer.
He has told me several times how he had been forced to chase the bad guys who refused to stop into and through alley ways where at any time he can be ambushed.
I think cops have it tough enough and don't mind them having all the tools they can for their safety.
At the same time, I think it is good to review situations like this woman's death so they can do better in every way.

But I do think they were doing very good stuff and that this was a tragic accident and that there was no criminal intent.

[A CA Guy]

Same for rape and murder. Doesn't mean you stop trying and to at least slow it down.

[newwahoo]

I'm guessing that there might be fewer deaths if some drugs were legal but unless that happens these idiots are still going to be shooting each other over turf unless we're proactive. Another sad aspect to it is that the turf shootout bullets seem to always end up in little kids' heads.

I guess I'm not really pro or anti at heart. Its sad to think of the cops that were murdered over whiskey in the 20's and wonder if it was necessary. Its just that whatever is the law has to be strictly enforced or the mutts get completely out of hand and drag everyone into their fights. Whether all or some drugs are worth fighting is not for me to decide really.

[newwahoo]

"It just makes the enforcers more powerful."

Yeah, I'm so powerful I'm afraid that I'll lose my job, my future and my freedom for a good faith mistake trying to do the public's bidding.

Powerful indeed...

[A CA Guy]

The problem with what they tried to do in the 20s was the alcohol was already out of the bottle and socially acceptable. Even with booze today, though restricted, it is still a big killer as is drugs.
I for one am a survivor of a broken neck by a drunk driver. They are also being much harsher today with the drunks.

Drugs are not nearly as socially acceptable as alcohol has ever been, so it is best to keep a stigma over it to keep people away from a bad costly habits.
These addicts can get their bosses sued out of business and here in CA almost all violent crime offenders are addicts.

PS. 1/3rd of our jails have locked up violent offenders and murderers who are all illegal aliens.

[newwahoo]

"The reason that destroying departments like that is a priority is that they are in fact anarchist. Anything should go."

Its just another facet to the Libs attempt to destroy western civilization before they make it over the way they want it. I'm sure its never crossed anyone's mind here that the NYPD is probably one of the largest single employer of conservatives in NYC! If you don't like the laws, change them. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water though....

[A CA Guy]

ENFORCING THE LAW...