Customs officer fatally shoots motorist at border

Arizona Republic ^ | 13 Feb 2003 | AP

[JackelopeBreeder]

LUKEVILLE - A U.S. Customs inspector fatally shot a motorist Thursday who had apparently threatened him during an attempted inspection at a border crossing, a spokesman said.

The driver of the sports utility vehicle was crossing from Mexico into Arizona when he aroused suspicions that he might be smuggling something, said Customs spokesman Roger Maier.

[HiJinx]

Here's the info on the shooting you heard about...

[Poohbah]

Actually, they're Niven's First and Second Laws, not Heinlein's.

[HiJinx]

It's like a blockade runner...someone who blows through the Port of Entry without stopping.

I 'spect that explains how it matters...

[Once-Ler]

"I don't care if they start shooting people at random when they cross the border if it will discourage Criminal Infiltration"

Wow...you are obviously not a compassionate conservative.

[BlueLancer]

That's it ... kick a guy when he's down ...

see #16,17,19,and 38

I'm such a putz ...

[Poohbah]

Chill. Niven and Heinlein were buddies.

[Hoverbug]

That's it ... kick a guy when he's down ... see #16,17,19,and 38

I'm such a putz ...

Hey, don't you mean Niven's? ;-) Hb

[and the horse you rode in on]

REAL police wear REAL police uniforms, drive REAL police cars, and are respected by me and many others. Unfortunately SWAT teams replete with their military wannabee types who dress up like Nazi stormtroopers complete with face masks and a complete lack of accountability are ruining the moral authority of the real police.

Absolutely right. I told my son, who is in the Police Academy now, that I am proud of him, but that if he ever becomes a SWAT member or an undercover cop he will no longer be welcome in this house.

[Marine Inspector]

What's a "Port Runner", and how could that possibly come into play here?

A "Port Runner" is an individual that has entered the US at a Port of Entry and speed through to avoid being inspected.

It is a felony and a great risk to the Immigration and Customs Inspectors, as the subject usually attempts to run us over.

I had a guy take off will I had my arm in his window. Damn near ripped it off. I've also had them run over my feet.

I can only speculate, but I would bet the subject attempted to hit the CI with his vehicle.

[Marine Inspector]

With a dog in the car...

Yes, it's a distraction and may get you past the inspection.

[Nov3]

Absolutely right. I told my son, who is in the Police Academy now, that I am proud of him, but that if he ever becomes a SWAT member or an undercover cop he will no longer be welcome in this house.

Undercover would be tough because the Officers that do that often end up severely screwed in the head. They have to act like trash and live like trash in extended situations.

The SWAT team is totally out. If SWAT teams were used only in extreme circumstances for terrorists or hostage situations or violent fugitive takedowns I would be on their side. Unfortunately they are mainly used to execute warrants that are issued on the information of unknown informants usually drug addicts who are either looking at charges themselves or are given drugs for the info by police. I have been in a judges house here in Memphis when the police were getting the warrants signed. Three officers came in and said they had some business that night. No questions by the judge. Just small talk and a lot of signing. It was enlightening. I hope some dyslexic sprung junkie doesn't give my address to the police for a half dozen rocks! If I got shot defending my house nobody would get in ANY TROUBLE for it. The officer would probably feel bad for at least an hour until his buds told him " you are going home tonight" or something like that.

[madfly]

pinging Border list. Sorry, getting here late on this thread. No time to edit out names of those who have already posted here, therefore, so sorry for double pings.

Anyone wanting ON or OFF my BORDER ping list, please click on "PRIVATE REPLY" to this post, to instant Freepmail me.

Thanks

madfly

[Carry_Okie]

No kidding.

After all the perp was only a "moooootorist." Just a random driver, peaceably going about his business... that MEAN and EVIL ARMED customs officer... we should take their guns. That'll make em more polite.

If there's anyone I truly hate for what has been done to this country, it's the evil monsters who spin words like this in news reports.

[RnMomof7]

I don't care if they start shooting people at random when they cross the border if it will discourage Criminal Infiltration

This is a war..there are casualities in a war..This man disregarded the reasonable request of a peace officer..he is a casuality of the war on terror..and like you I am not disturbed by it..

[b4its2late]

The victim was "lucky" that the border guys only have guns. They should have tanks and shoulder missles......

[cricket]

"The Customs inspector tried to inspect the vehicle but the driver interfered. The driver then threatened the inspector, prompting the officer to fire a single shot, striking the man, Maier said. "

. . .man threatens 'authority figure' with gun.

Not too smart. People are becomming their own worst victims from the movies they watch.

[cricket]

"I bet it turns out to be an American citizen who asked why they were rousting him when there was a hundred wetbacks sneaking under the fence, so they shot him for being uppity."

In this case. . .

uppity = stupidity

[cricket]

"With a dog in the car..."

I missed that, and now I am upset.

[VaBthang4]

Next time he'll shut the hell up and let the inspector do his job.
Oh wait a minute...no, I guess there wont be a next time. Probably came as quite a shock to the individual who didnt like being inspected....tough.

[VaBthang4]

"Ha, this article puts the whacko's here in a quandary. Do they knee-jerk a spew about jack-booted thugs, or are they forced to acknowledge that the US actually did something to enforce the border?"

Yep. I was thinking the same thing. The Contrarian FReeks are kinda in no man's land on this one.