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.

[george wythe]

:-)

[Diddle E. Squat]

No her blood is on the hands of whoever did an inadequate records search or recordkeeping, as well as in your bong.

[Copernicus]

Posted to *bang_list

[JennysCool]

Looks as if the world-famous Pardek drollery is wasted on the thread! LOL!

[coloradan]

If you support the War On (some) Drugs, then this is your war and the "collateral damage" is your collateral damage. By the way, I don't have a bong or indeed use any illegal drugs. But, like any fine Drug Warrior, you must accuse me of illegal behavior to make your point.

[RightWhale]

these knockdown violent entries seem to cause unintentional death and injury far too often.

Once would be enough. It's a bad policy and inappropriate in America. It didn't sound like the thing to do when they started this several years ago, and it ought to be stopped. They probably catch some bad guys, too, but where is the 'presumed innocent' policy of America in all this?

[Diddle E. Squat]

Baloney, your accusation was ridiculous, so I simply turned the tables on you.

[.38sw]

One more innocent victim of the War on (some) Drugs.

[A CA Guy]

The occasional tragedy is bad, but the benefit of getting users and others who are usually violent offenders off the street. Saves far more lives in the end.

If the illegal drug users would stop using their dam drugs none of this would be needed.

[A CA Guy]

Yep, illegal drug users caused another death because they had to have drugs.

[.38sw]

Yep, illegal drug users caused another death because they had to have drugs

Somehow, I knew you'd say that.

[TLBSHOW]

do you know how many police officers smoke Pot?

LOTS!

[follow the money]

Welcome to the New America

[A CA Guy]

"This is due to obsessive narrow mindedness to the point of irrationality." by tacticalogic

We agree, you have perfectly described the using and dealing of illegal drugs.
They cause addiction, expense, grief, hospitalization, murder, violent crime an a shortened life and all kinds of expenses in society. If we let that go, you grow more addiction. Would have been so much better if these mutants changed their ways.

[ThinkDifferent]

If the illegal drug users would stop using their dam drugs none of this would be needed.

The drug war exists because of two incompatible groups: those who want to use drugs recreationally, and those who want drug users punished by the state. Your argument is that if the first group would give in the WOD would end. That's true, but guess what: it's also true for the second. So by your own logic supporters of the WOD bear just as much responsibility for this tragedy as drug users.

[FreeLibertarian]

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.

The ESU lieutenant and the officers responsible for the search warrant should face charges for negligent homicide.

[A CA Guy]

Well, if you know who they are, turn them in and clean out the PD. It's not as if they have been performing their jobs lately with flawless accuracy. If some are using illegal drugs, then that would explain the trouble some are causing.

[verity]

Libertarian wet dream!

[Joe Hadenuf]

Still more tragic casualties in the senseless War On (some) Drugs.

Absolutely agree.