FBI apologizes for mistaken shooting
Wounding of Pasadena man called 'unfortunate accident'; Agency vows full investigation
----------------------------------------------
By Stephen Manning
The Associated Press
Originally published March 6, 2002, 4:52 PM EST
WOODLAWN -- The FBI apologized today for the shooting of an unarmed man Friday by agents searching for a bank robber, but gave few other details about the incident.
"Let me express our sincere sorrow for this unfortunate accident," said Lynne Hunt, the agent in charge of the FBI's Baltimore office.
"We will do everything necessary to complete a full investigation of the facts."
Joseph Schultz, 20, of Pasadena, was shot Friday afternoon after the car his girlfriend was driving was pulled over. His attorney said afterward that Schultz may have been shot while reaching for the seatbelt after he was ordered out of the car.
Hunt said she would not give any details on what led to the shooting while a shooting review team is investigating.
Schultz remained in serious but stable condition today at Maryland Shock Trauma Center with a shattered right cheek and jaw. Family members said he spoke for the first time since the shooting, saying he thought he was going to die.
Schultz was riding with his girlfriend, Krissy Harkum, 16, when they were pulled over at 6 p.m. Friday in Pasadena by four FBI agents looking for a bank robber.
Hunt said Harkum's car was similar to the suspect's car and that the man they were seeking also had a female companion in his car.
Hunt would not identify the agent who fired an M-4 rifle at Schultz, saying it was FBI policy not to give out names.
Joseph C. Asensio, an attorney for Schultz's family, said agents approached the car with rifles drawn and ordered the two out of the vehicle.
Asensio has stated that Schultz was reaching to unfasten his seat belt when he was shot.
She denied allegations that Schultz did not receive immediate medical treatment for his injuries.
She said that an FBI agent came to his aid and also called for emergency help.
Shootings by FBI agents are very rare. Last year, there were only 11 intentional shootings by agents, three of which involved dogs, Hunt said.
The agent who shot Schultz has been temporarily reassigned at his own request.
FBI policy allows agents to use lethal force if they believe a suspect is about to place them in "imminent danger," Hunt said. She would not say if this incident met that criteria.
Hunt said she apologized to Schultz through Asensio and to Harkum's father, Joseph Harkum.
Joseph Harkum would not comment today.
The FBI arrested the alleged bank robber they were looking for on Sunday. Michael Blottenberger is charged with robbing an Allfirst branch bank Feb. 20.
It's going to be his and the girlfriend's word against that of a scad of Fibbies. One would think that Schultz himself would have corrected the allegation if indeed it was false.
As if he would just keep on keeping on in that same squad if he had NOT requested it? Not even put on "leave with pay"? Gimme a break, by their own word they're still investigating. This reeks of coverup speak.
Several things leap to mind from this sentence...
Just how many 'unintentional' shootings did they have last year?
Is this rate higher or lower than that of police, US Marshals, etc.? (Not gonna beat BATF, thats's fer sure!)
What do they have against my puppies? =^(