Baton Rouge Temperature: 56°
  SEARCH:    GO    2theadvocate    Classifieds    Advocate Archives
Saturday, May 17, 2008

POLICE

Rain of bullets likely from police practice

  • Advocate Westside bureau
  • Published: May 9, 2008 - Page: 2B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

Brusly Police Chief Jamie Whaley said Thursday night that he is almost certain that the more than 20 bullets that hit four camp buildings near Addis were fired by Brusly and Addis police officers during target practice.

Whaley said he is turning the matter over to the city’s insurer, adding, “We’ll do what it takes.”

Whaley said officers nearing a deadline for their annual firearms qualification went to a site they’d used in the past without any stray bullet problems.

“I don’t know if guys missed targets, or bullets ricocheted, or what,” Whaley said. “But after looking at the buildings, and examining the ammo our guys were using, I’m pretty sure it was us.”

Whaley said the officers intended nothing intentional or malicious by using the location  as a firing range.

Whaley also said he is not sure that Addis Police Chief Ricky Anderson agrees with his findings, but added, “I have no doubts.”

The Advocate was unable to contact Anderson on Thursday night.


Comments (10)
Yeah
Friday, May 09, 2008
9:07 AM

This does not sound to good considering these are people who are armed and supposed to have the judgement of when and where to use a firearm. Yet they could not even keep "stray bullets," within a safe practice area under no distress? Wonder what would happen to anyone else (IE not a cop) that put 20 stray bullet holes in someone elses property? I think you would have some explaining to do beyond what the cops just said.
withersteen
Friday, May 09, 2008
9:35 AM

Yee-Haw!! "Reckless endangerment: A person commits the crime of reckless endangerment if the person recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury to another person. “Reckless” conduct is conduct that exhibits a culpable disregard of foreseeable consequences to others from the act or omission involved. The accused need not intentionally cause a resulting harm or know that his conduct is substantially certain to cause that result. The ultimate question is whether, under all the circumstances, the accused’s conduct was of that heedless nature that made it actually or imminently dangerous to the rights or safety of others." Gee, who'da thought bullets are dangerous? Please see another of today's articles: Bill would ban mentally ill from guns http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/18791774.html PROBLEM SOLVED!
Vail-ite
Friday, May 09, 2008
10:53 AM

For sure if you or I were caught doing the same thing we'd be in jail with criminal charges. These country bumpkins are idiots...with guns!
concerned
Friday, May 09, 2008
11:09 AM

It is embarrassing to the citizens of the communities of Addis and Brusly. It would seem that denial only worsens the empact of both the community and it's citizens. Individual officers should have good reasoning in training, but what needs to be established is - Who was in charge of the training, and, insuring that the training was conducted in a safe manner, and, under circumstances that would not pose any danger to the public or property, with extreme potential to cause injury or loss of life? This looks very bad. Much more could be said.
pizota13
Friday, May 09, 2008
1:24 PM

I live in Addis! Where was this at? This is terrible. I have two kids, and I am very concerned. There are only a few places in Addis where you could do this, and one is close to my house. They should be charged with something.
George
Friday, May 09, 2008
2:07 PM

hard to believe that the chiefs of both departments would allow their officers to qualify on a range (?) that wasn't bermed and isolated to prevent accidents from missfires, richochets and "bad aims". I would be curious as to the layout where they were shooting in relation to the damaged buildings. Is it possible that the damage was intentional, thinking that the buildings were vacant and unoccupied? usually during friearms training there is a range officer who is responsible for safety and security. this was very dangereous and unprofessional. some butts need to be kicked.
mark edward marchiafava
Friday, May 09, 2008
3:19 PM

Pizota13, I don't know just how long you've been in Louisiana, but here we have TWO sets of laws: one that applies to us peons, another for the elite. Don't hold your breath waiting for any of "them" to be charged.
concerned mother & father
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
6:25 PM

What is so disturbing about this whole matter is that one of the two unsuspecting, frightened people that were at the camp site was our 14 year old son. When he got home he told us about what had happen. He said that they could hear bullets ripping through the trees and they had to lay down in the truck praying they would not get shot. A few days later, we received a phone call from a member/owner of the camp site informing us that the bullets came from law enforcement officers. Considering that our son's father is in law enforcement and has been for 31 years, this news was very upsetting. Our son could have lost his life because of the carelessness of the people who are suppose to protect him.
citizen
Thursday, May 15, 2008
9:04 PM

Ok, well for all the people who do not understand how it works, these guys were told where to shoot so each officer should not be responsible for it only the person or people who were incharge telling them where to shoot. Another thing that needs to be brought up is why don't the police officers of our parish have a range where they can go and shoot safely. Why not ask our parish president about that and what him and the Sheriff and Chief's plan on doing to ensure this does not happen again. Another thing is if someone's son was in the area in a vehicle ducking for their life, why wasn't 911 called? Sounds like that part of it was kinda made up just to make the incident look worse....
me
Thursday, May 15, 2008
9:21 PM

ok lets think about this people they were shooting at targets right in front of a dirt mound that was as tall as the targets them selfs ok thats one hmm.... they were shooting 40.cal and 45 cal. bullets ok thats two hmm. they were shooting about three hundred yards away into a mound on dirt and shooting at eye level ok thats three hmmm. they said the bullets from the officer's bullets went through multible metal walls and wood ok thats four. hmm. the officers were shooting straight on when the camps that were hit were about thirty five degrees to the left thats five hmmm. this absolutely is impossible
ADVERTISEMENTS


PROMOTIONS


Dish Network

WBRZ CHANNEL 2


 
Envelope icon Have a question, comment, news tip or story idea? Click here to give us some feedback.