Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Robb

(39,665 posts)
Wed Aug 21, 2013, 12:16 PM Aug 2013

Concern rises after border-vigilante standoff

PHOENIX -- The arrest of a border vigilante accused of pointing a gun at a Maricopa County sheriff's deputy during a confrontation in a desert smuggling zone shows that the "minuteman"-militia-style movement is still active in Arizona and a growing threat to public safety, law enforcement officials say.

(snip)

Deputy Pat Arend, who reported staring down the barrel of Malley's AR-15, said it is a small miracle that neither he nor Malley was shot in the brief encounter.

Arend said he initially assumed that Malley, dressed in tactical gear, was another law-enforcement officer working in the area when they encountered each other after 9:30p.m. outside Gila Bend.

"The reason there wasn't a shooting is because, to me, he was passing himself (off as) law enforcement, so the last thing I'm going to do is shoot a cop," Arend said.

"If I would have pulled my gun, and he's thinking I'm a drug smuggler, he's going to shoot. I asked the guy later, 'What would you have done if I had my gun out?' And there was dead silence."

Read More: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/08/21/concern-rises-after-border-vigilante-standoff/2680247/

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Concern rises after border-vigilante standoff (Original Post) Robb Aug 2013 OP
Deputy might have been doing us all a favor if he had shot the Blue_Tires Aug 2013 #1
This is a different bunch of bad apples Xipe Totec Aug 2013 #3
Even Joe Arpaio is creeped out by these guys... Xipe Totec Aug 2013 #2
Arpaio is just jealous that he can't "take command" of them Blue_Tires Aug 2013 #4
I think it's more that they are no longer under his control Xipe Totec Aug 2013 #5

Blue_Tires

(55,445 posts)
1. Deputy might have been doing us all a favor if he had shot the
Wed Aug 21, 2013, 12:22 PM
Aug 2013

crime ring member/neo-nazi/smuggler masquerading as an LEO....Damn, I didn't even know any of these clowns were still around after that nazi gunned down his family...

Xipe Totec

(43,888 posts)
3. This is a different bunch of bad apples
Wed Aug 21, 2013, 12:32 PM
Aug 2013

From the article:

"There is no Minuteman Project anymore, nor anything I know of that exists like a minuteman movement."

Instead, there appear to be small groups that are trying to play a different role than previous organizations, which publicly distanced themselves from vigilantism.

The groups that camped in the desert with some fanfare eight years ago would frequently check in with law-enforcement dispatchers to share their locations and learn of any police operations going on in the area. Now, they want to be the police, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said.

The worm has turned on Joe...

Xipe Totec

(43,888 posts)
5. I think it's more that they are no longer under his control
Wed Aug 21, 2013, 12:38 PM
Aug 2013

Joe fostered this kind of vigilantism and now it's gotten away from him.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Concern rises after borde...