Diversion, again: “had no idea what kind of firepower the people in those vehicles had”.
If they had fully automatic machine guns and RPGs in the trunk, would that be sufficient?
Absent a CREDIBLE threat to LEO life by the driver or passengers — and jumping in front of a vehicle to shoot at it doesn’t count, sorry — there is no justification for the homicide, is there? Finicum didn’t try to ram the LEO’s, he clearly tried to avoid impact.
Trying to demonize citizens for lawfully carrying or transporting firearms — when they were NOT used to threaten someone’s safety — is a diversion.
It most certainly did. They were suspects in an armed Felony.
"If they had fully automatic machine guns and RPGs in the trunk, would that be sufficient?"
Certainly. So would the 9mm pistol Mr. Finicum was thought/known to be carrying.
"Absent a CREDIBLE threat to LEO life by the driver or passengers - and jumping in front of a vehicle to shoot at it doesn't count, sorry - there is no justification for the homicide, is there? Finicum didn't try to ram the LEO's, he clearly tried to avoid impact."
It happens all the time. Driver tries to blow around the cops, one of them gets in front of him. If driver doesn't stop and cop has to jump out of the way, it's assault with a deadly weapon. It most certainly does count because they're the legal authorities.
"Trying to demonize citizens for lawfully carrying or transporting firearms - when they were NOT used to threaten someone's safety - is a diversion."
Carrying a firearm during the commission of a Felony. I was on a Grand Jury once and we indicted more than one person on that. All of it traces back to their having occupied the Refuge while armed. And if they solicited armed people to come "defend" them, it could possibly be construed as incitement or insurrection.
I'm not saying I agree with it, just that that's the way the Feds are looking at it. The ones they choose to prosecute could be looking at a laundry list of serious charges.