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.

[SJSAMPLE]

I agree. I don't believe any narcotics law justifies the no-knock. I should have made specific reference to that. If the officers feel a no-knock is required, then they must also fear specific (not implied) fear for their own safety. As such, the war against drugs (and America) isn't worth it. However, cases where immediate action must be taken can justify such a warrant.

The "War on Drugs" isn't about drugs, it's about our rights.

[Stew Padasso]

It is the DEA's language straight from their site.

[MrLeRoy]

At least one-third of Americans have used marijuana sometime in their lives.

Uh of course you inherantly imply that 1/3rd of Americans are now regular smokers

ROTFLMAO! You're a hoot, Dane.

[MrLeRoy]

At least one-third of Americans have used marijuana sometime in their lives.

Uh of course you inherantly imply that 1/3rd of Americans are now regular smokers

It is the DEA's language straight from their site.

So Dane has actually claimed that the DEA "inherantly [sic]implies that 1/3rd of Americans are now regular smokers."

Priceless!

[kegler4]

"These are the flower children and hippies of the 60's, where incidentally the drug culture got it's start."

I love it when people overgeneralize.

I was part of this age but I was never a hippie or a flower child. Virtually everbody I knew, including people with crewcuts or nice short business haircuts, at least tried pot at one time. Very few were hippies and even pretended to be hippies. The vast majority passed out of that phase without destroying their brains or moving on to harder stuff despite the fact that the government told them they were doomed. Some have had terrible problems with alcohol, but that's another story.

[kegler4]

Make that "OR even pretended to be hippies."

[headsonpikes]

Why is it you fail to respond to my substantive posts? #374, for instance.

I challenge any of the pro-WODders to seriously address the socio-political consequences of the War on Drugs, an essentially totalitarian quest.

[Dane]

It is the DEA's language straight from their site

I wholly understand that but Stewey in his reply #490 was implying that a lot of people are currently "regular" users, when the DEA quote states that 1/3rd of Americans have tried marijuana and are not regular users.

Who uses marijuana?...
I guess it is safe to assume that LOTS of people are smoking pot.

Of course you two already knew that, and are just trying to mask Stew's misleading implication in his reply #490 with your subsequent replies to my reply #499.

[Stew Padasso]

"All the respected studies I have seen is that "regular" smokers of pot today is around 3% of the population."

What is a "regular" smoker?

[MrLeRoy]

Stewey in his reply #490 was implying that a lot of people are currently "regular" users

If he was implying that by quoting the DEA, then the DEA must have been implying the same thing.

[jayef]

You really think there are just 8 million regular pot smokers in the US? You're kidding, right?

[Dane]

You really think there are just 8 million regular pot smokers in the US? You're kidding, right?

JMO, but you sound like the famous quote from a famous Manhattan Upper West Side socialite in 72 when she was quoted as saying, "I can't understand why McGovern lost, everyone I knew voted for him."

Oh well I guess that happens when you live in your own little world.

[jayef]

OK Dane. Whatever you say.

[A CA Guy]

Actually I go by each situation one at a time. I listed my reasons as to why there was no intent, how this department had a good record and we know this woman had a condition that pre-disposed her for a fatal heart attack.

There are lots of known facts in this story that makes this a horse with no legs for anyone trying to use this to legalized drugs.

This is a liberal agenda on a conservative board. You even try to create a boogie man for those who suffer from paranoia, but that doesn't fly in this case.

[A CA Guy]

I responded, but found your post comes off very artificial and filled with reaching catch phrases of a desperate minority view.
It reflects well that your drinking the kool-aide in lock-step that you want to claim I do.

You don't find me using that catch phrase bunk unless it is to mock the absurdity of it being thrown at me over and over again. I think it is better to talk like a human being.

I guess the point of your catch phrases is that you are hoping to make something stick to the readers you are trying to sway, but the product you want to push darkens the soul and does no good. I doubt anyone living a normal life will bite on your words.

[A CA Guy]

So what you are saying is that the state has no laws you should ever obey.

Your definition of "True Liberty" must be "anarchy" for all then.

When the people vote in representatives for themselves in this Democratic Republic, they have the right to create laws.
You could always move to an island where nobody knows what you do and you can live your dream life that doesn't exist here in the real world.

[A CA Guy]

What a fine boast, pregnancy is acceptable in high school?

No it isn't, maybe if you live in a neighborhood where everybody does it. Jerry Springer high perhaps?
That is exactly what drug advocates want that we don't ever need...acceptance!
We don't need to advocate the decline of a civilization.

You come off sounding like the Borg to me by suggesting resistance is futile, you shall assimilate.

Nope I DON'T drink the koolaid you are pouring bub, thanks though.

[MrLeRoy]

there was no intent

That's what my kids told me after playing ball in the house and breaking a lamp: "We didn't MEAN to break it!" Didn't work for them, shouldn't work for ninja-wannabe Drug Warriors---or their pseudo-conservative cheerleaders.

this woman had a condition that pre-disposed her for a fatal heart attack.

It's her own damned fault she died---how dare she be in poor health when there's a War On Some Drugs on!

[MrLeRoy]

When a crime of force or fraud is committed, that's when Law Enforcement can be legitimately involved.

So what you are saying is that the state has no laws you should ever obey.

What a blatant, pathetic lie you have posted.

[headsonpikes]

So the 'Koolaid' jibe is getting to you.

Good.