Feds: No charges for Border Patrol agents in Arizona shootings

[Newsjock]

Source: Associated Press

No criminal charges will be pursued against U.S. Border Patrol agents involved in separate 2011 fatal shootings in southern Arizona, federal authorities say.

The Justice Department in Washington announced Friday that its decisions were based on facts developed during independent and comprehensive investigations into the incidents.

Carlos LaMadrid, 19, ... was seen loading bundles of drugs into a vehicle and failed to stop when pursued by officers, Douglas police have said.

In the other incident, authorities say 17-year-old Ramses Barron-Torres ... reportedly was throwing rocks at agents who were trying to thwart drug-smuggling attempts.

Read more: http://azstarnet.com/news/local/border/feds-no-charges-for-border-patrol-agents-in-arizona-shootings/article_b7b5842a-0153-11e3-a90f-001a4bcf887a.html

[Socal31]

1. Our law enforcement is completely backwards in this country.

Every Podunk city police force received so much federal "anti-terrorism" money after 9/11, they didn't know what to do with it. So they bought armored personel carriers, uniforms, new rifles......basically trying to emulate military style tactics along the way. You can't be too safe when you kick in grandma's door, right?

Meanwhile, our border patrol agents, who go out into the middle of nowhere, with backup up to an hour away....sometimes carry only a pistol. They deal with cartels, coyotes, smugglers...all with the potential to outgun them.


As for the topic, the one who killed the kid throwing rocks should be in jail. Period.

[branford]

2. Rocks can kill and seriously injure.

I admit to not knowing the specifics of the rock throwing incident and the article provides no details, but I'm always surprised when people (not necessarily you, Socal31) dismiss rock throwing as non-violent or harmless. That is simply not the case. A thrown rock is a potentially very deadly weapon. No citizen or law enforcement officer need willingly submit to an intentional, violent, criminal assault by a rock thrower, as the Department of Justice apparently concluded.

It also makes no difference that the rock thrower in this instance was a minor. Although I regret any loss of life, particularly a child, a 17 year old teenager if often stronger and more agile than many adults and clearly knows that his act is criminal and capable of serious harm. No self-defense laws for either law enforcement or civilians, to my knowledge, make exceptions for teenagers.

However, as with any potentially injurious or deadly assault, the officer should respond in a manner consistent with both the specific circumstances and his or her training.

[gopiscrap]

3. typiical asshole pigs

this is why so many in the US hate the fucking cops so much.

[grantcart]

4. Prosecutors have no problems bringing charges where the facts warrant it

http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jun/21/local/la-me-ln-agents-smuggling-20130621

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/oct/25/border-agent-jaile-arrest-teen-drug-smuggler/?page=all#pagebreak

http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=896405

http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/11/16/mexican-drug-smuggler-shot-by-border-agents-indicted-on-drug-smuggling-charges/