Woman, 92, Slain in Shootout With Police

[kurth]

Woman, 92, Slain in Shootout With Police
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ATLANTA -- The niece of a 92-year-old woman shot to death by police said her aunt likely had reason to shoot three narcotics investigators as they stormed her house. Police insisted the officers did everything right before entering the home Tuesday evening, despite suggestions from the woman's neighbors and relatives that it was a case of mistaken identity.

The woman, Kathryn Johnston, was the only resident in the house at the time and had lived there for about 17 years, Assistant Chief Alan Dreher said. The officers had a legal warrant, "knocked and announced" before they forced open the door and were justified in shooting once fired upon, he said. Sarah Dozier, the niece, told WAGA-TV that there were never drugs at the house. "My aunt was in good health. I'm sure she panicked when they kicked that door down," Dozier said. "There was no reason they had to go in there and shoot her down like a dog."

As the plainclothes Atlanta police officers approached the house about 7 p.m., a woman inside started shooting, striking each of them, said Officer Joe Cobb, a police spokesman. One was hit in the arm, another in a thigh and the third in a shoulder. The officers were taken to a hospital for treatment, and all three were conscious and alert, police said.

Rev. Markel Hutchins, a civil rights leader, said Johnston's family deserves an apology. "Of the police brutality cases we've had, this is the most egregious because of the woman's age," Hutchins said. Hutchins said he would try to meet with Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington and would also meet with lawyers.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061122/APA/611220516

[Mythsaje]

1. Is it just me

or is this article contradictory as hell?

They were shot as they approached the house, yet knocked and announced? How could they do both?

And another article suggested it was actually a no-knock warrant and the cops were plainclothed and masked.

Hmmm.

Smell a stinker here, folks.

[Hobarticus]

3. I miss the good old days...when cops would get their fuckin' story straight

Before they'd blow someone away, needlessly.

[Matariki]

4. I noticed that too. Do you have a link to the other article?

those two scenarios are worlds apart.

[Mythsaje]

5. Link

to post citing the article, at least...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2780123&mesg_id=2784141

[thingfisher]

7. My reaction exactly!

I am getting sick to death of these storm trooper like "police raids' both in real life and on tv. We have come to accept the typical raid as looking like a military assault. The police are more like a civilian military presence these days and I am very wary of the whole thing.

These thugs whatever the real story might be were obviously ill informed and using excessive force to make a routine drug bust. Who the hell did they think was in there the whole Columbian mafia!

[indepat]

2. Amurikkka, Amurikkka, God shed W's grace on thee

[MazeRat7]

6. Not to mention being a hell of shot for age 92... she tagged 3 for sure....

in the dark, from inside the house ????

Yeah, something doesn't add up with this story. I agree with the other posters up-thread, something smells on this one.

MZr7

[nosmokes]

8. plus the fact they will not release the warrant

makes it stink all the more. and just how fucked up are the atlanta police that a 92 yo can tag 3 before they get her? if they were truly expecting to encounter a well armed drug dealer then obviously they were were woefully unprepared.