OpEdNews » Two Officers Shot, Police Seem To Have Panicked, Witness at My Home

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Tag(s): Georgia; Media; Police Brutality; Television; Trauma
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January 5, 2008 at 18:01:57

Two Officers Shot, Police Seem To Have Panicked, Witness at My Home

by William Cormier Page 3 of 3 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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Sarah: No, not really. They said a MAN had just shot two police officers, so everyone was suspect. They did offer, and wound up giving me a ride to work.

It’s also noteworthy to add that when the roommate that allowed the officers to enter the house, after hearing the shooting, promptly ran out the front door and was tasered by the Gwinnett Police Department, hand-cuffed, and shoved into the back of a police car. He attempted to tell the officers there was another innocent roommate inside, but was ignored and just left in the car, still recovering from being tasered and hand-cuffed as if it were him that was the shooter.

Shots fired, a man running out the door, - that’s an event where the officers may have been somewhat justified in tasering an individual who they didn’t know was the shooter or just an innocent bystander. But, back to Sarah. When the officers were gathering up their wounded, a courageous event in itself, knowing the shooter was still in the house, why did they leave an innocent woman in the house alone with the shooter rather than scooping her up too? Why would the police take care of their own and leave an innocent woman behind when they knew there was a dangerous gunman loose in the house? She could have easily have become a hostage and been killed herself - and it’s only that the shooter seemed to be in shock himself that she was able to exit the house.

The police told her to get on the ground while she was still visible to the shooter. Why? When she exited into the backyard and was told not to move, and she didn’t, why was she also tasered, tackled, hand-cuffed, and literally drug across the yard, part of her face hitting the concrete, when she was only attempting to escape from a man who had just shot two police officers?

We are all saddened when an officer is shot in the line of duty, especially as callously as these two were, but to me, it appears that the police may have panicked a little themselves… Two police officers were victims of a brutal shooting yesterday, but there were two other victims at that location, neither of which had anything whatsoever to do with the crime itself. They were both tasered, cuffed, and even though the police knew they were looking for a MAN, tasered a woman that was attempting to save her own life, and attempted to do as she was told.

Are tasers so “harmless” that even though it may not be justified, it’s OK to tase anyone that happens to be at the scene of a crime? Sarah is sound alseep, was hysterical when she saw the coverage on television, and from her standpoint, wanted to know why the media was interviewing the neighbors rather than the victims of the crime itself. Could it be that the police didn’t want it to get out that they tasered two innocent people, and to add insult to injury, didn’t offer them any help for the trauma they had seen, or even if they needed medical attention, especially when you consider they had both been tasered - which has been known to cause death in cases where people had other, unknown conditions that exacerbate the effects of being tased.

At any rate, I’m guessing this story isn’t over, and maybe the media should consider interviewing the victims, whose home is unavailable to them because it’s a crime scene - or are these real witnesses being overlooked so it won’t hit the news that police and their tasers are going off more and more in separate events all over the country. It seems there’s a new policy for some police departments; Tase First - ask questions later.

William Cormier

1 | 2 | 3

http://justanothercoverup.com/

I am nothing more than a patriotic American that is doing whatever I can to further the cause of democracy, the rule of law, and am absolutely outraged on how the Bush administration is defying our Congress, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights! Footnote: I write in a style that I believe is appropriate in today's world where we can't trust the Mainstream News Media, and rather than concentrating on one article alone, which may or may not receive the exposure and emphasis it should, I prefer to meld several relevant stories together, that each taken alone may not expose the entire situation, but when taken-in as a whole, tend to give the reader a better understanding of the subject. One article or story alone does not represent the "Big Picture" - but when several are effectively tied-together it often reveals a trend or broader view of the subject matter that is important to completely understand any given situation. http://justanothercoverup.com/

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10 comments

I'm just another prisoner on this prison planet who's trying to keep abreast of things so I'll know when to plan my escape.I'm an ex-aerospace/defense industry participant turned behavioral health therapist interested in helping secure my fellow man's sound state of mind, and my environments sound state of well being.
Rick MasonI'm just another prisoner on this prison planet who's trying to keep abreast of things so I'll know when to plan my escape.I'm an ex-aerospace/defense industry participant turned behavioral health therapist interested in helping secure my fellow man's sound state of mind, and my environments sound state of well being.

Out of control?!?

This use of tasers by police as a first response to everything lately has got to stop! This is what happens when idiots are given a means of administering a dose of pain whenever they deem justified. Tasers are meant as a LAST RESORT, just before using leathal force! Not the first thing used when in doubt! Stupid should be painful. Criminals are stupid, not real smart, you only need to be a little bit smarter than a criminal to catch them. What does that say about cops? Stupid, with authority and weapons! Dangerous combination. Is society going to wait until these idiots kill sombody before we take tasers away from them? Are we just as stupid as the cops and criminals? I hope not.

by Rick Mason (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 26 comments) on Sunday, January 6, 2008 at 3:55:59 PM

I am nothing more than a patriotic American that is doing whatever I can to further the cause of democracy, the rule of law, and am absolutely outraged on how the Bush administration is defying our Congress, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights! Footnote: I write in a style that I believe is appropriate in today’s world where we can’t trust the Mainstream News Media, and rather than concentrating on one article alone, which may or may not receive the exposure and emphasis it should, I prefer...

to see more of bio, click on member name
William CormierI am nothing more than a patriotic American that is doing whatever I can to further the cause of democracy, the rule of law, and am absolutely outraged on how the Bush administration is defying our Congress, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights! Footnote: I write in a style that I believe is appropriate in today’s world where we can’t trust the Mainstream News Media, and rather than concentrating on one article alone, which may or may not receive the exposure and emphasis it should, I prefer...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Many people have already died from tasers

This is a story that the local news refuses to correct. There were many inconsistencies in their article(s) and they still haven't - and won't - interview either of the victims who were tasered, nor has there even been an honorable mention of it in the news that I'm aware of. I added this addendum to the original article on my site:

NOTE: Interesting… There’s a large article in The Atlanta Journal Constitution that contradicts every word that Sarah said:
The man responded by firing through the door, striking one officer in the leg and the other officer “multiple times,” Porter said.

Police returned fire and fled, helping the couple also to escape. Porter said a third officer dragged the most seriously wounded officer down the steps. LINK
As an individual that wasn’t there, I have nothing but the statement of Sarah, who told her mother on the phone last night she wasn’t a “couple” with anyone, that she only rented a room at the house. She stated the police left her in the house and the paper states the police safely evacuated the “couple” from the home… Who is telling the truth? I don’t have a crystal ball, and since I wasn’t there, I am only able to relate what I was told during a taped interview and a long discussion in regard the actual circumstances. The AJC had the information I wrote before they published their article so its obvious they are satisfied with the “official account.” Which one is true? I don’t have the evidence or knowledge to make that judgment call, but I’m curious why the media won’t interview the actual victim(s) to get their story when it directly contradicts the official version???
Curious indeed…

William Cormier

by William Cormier (126 articles, 6 quicklinks, 17 diaries, 304 comments) on Sunday, January 6, 2008 at 4:44:29 PM

After Highschool, I joined the United States Marine Corps and served honorably for five years. After my honorable discharge from the Military I became a police officer for gwinnett county georgia. I've worked there for approx. three years.
BillyAfter Highschool, I joined the United States Marine Corps and served honorably for five years. After my honorable discharge from the Military I became a police officer for gwinnett county georgia. I've worked there for approx. three years.

wow

I bet you sit behind a desk everyday. Awsome comments, it just shows how shallow your thought process is. I don't go to a cook and tell him how to cook food, try not to sit on your high horse and tell people what they should or should not be doing. You don't have the slightest hint of what it is like to be a police officer......and I count my blessing everyday your not the one backing me up on calls.

by Billy (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 3 comments) on Monday, January 7, 2008 at 12:46:26 PM

wow

by Billy (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 3 comments) on Monday, January 7, 2008 at 12:46:33 PM

I am originally from New York and now live in Alaska. I was on Long Island on 9/11. I came up here to be with my fiance' who went back to work for the US Army to help with this war. See MakeTheArmyHonest to see that disasterous result.

I am outspoken, down to earth and I hate what this country has become. We have lost the vision of the founding fathers. Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, George Wahington, et al had a dream for us. George Bush and his War Profiteer cronies have nearl...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Robin BoernerI am originally from New York and now live in Alaska. I was on Long Island on 9/11. I came up here to be with my fiance' who went back to work for the US Army to help with this war. See MakeTheArmyHonest to see that disasterous result.

I am outspoken, down to earth and I hate what this country has become. We have lost the vision of the founding fathers. Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, George Wahington, et al had a dream for us. George Bush and his War Profiteer cronies have nearl...

to see more of bio, click on member name

They left a woman because they are cowards....

To the new police we are all potential perpetrators. Only not yet caught, not innocent.

To protect and serve have long ago been forgotten. The thin blue line has become a club of socio paths believing that the public is their enemy and it's us or them. Thus, in their mind gathering up a fellow cop while leaving a defenseless woman in the house is perfectly acceptable.

If we don't demand change: Convicting cops that hurt the public. Fire the arrogant. Demand older, more socially adept officers. Replace 22 year olds with more hormones still then experience. Go back to an elected Sheriff as the highest law officer over us. Stories like this are becoming much too commonplace. Lying to an officer is a crime, an officer lying to the press in order to decieve the public ought to be an equal crime.

by Robin Boerner (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 19 comments) on Sunday, January 6, 2008 at 7:10:16 PM

I am nothing more than a patriotic American that is doing whatever I can to further the cause of democracy, the rule of law, and am absolutely outraged on how the Bush administration is defying our Congress, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights! Footnote: I write in a style that I believe is appropriate in today’s world where we can’t trust the Mainstream News Media, and rather than concentrating on one article alone, which may or may not receive the exposure and emphasis it should, I prefer...

to see more of bio, click on member name
William CormierI am nothing more than a patriotic American that is doing whatever I can to further the cause of democracy, the rule of law, and am absolutely outraged on how the Bush administration is defying our Congress, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights! Footnote: I write in a style that I believe is appropriate in today’s world where we can’t trust the Mainstream News Media, and rather than concentrating on one article alone, which may or may not receive the exposure and emphasis it should, I prefer...

to see more of bio, click on member name

An important comment from a Gwinnett Police Officer

This is a comment I received from a Gwinnett Police Officer, and it must be published to add insight to this story. Evidently, the police didn’t “panic” at all, although his comment does indicate that Sarah was left in the hone and states exactly why it happened. I am unsure this officer was able to speak-out on this issue officially, therefore his identity will be protected - and I must also add that his insight is greatly appreciated as we attempt to understand why the news reports did not jive with accounts by independent witnesses:

My name is XXXXXXX, and I work for Gwinnett County Police Dept. I appreciate your concern about the two officer wounded in this event. Although I don’t agree with you entire article. I know most of the officer’s that initially made contact with Caram, and also the officer’s that helped the wounded officer’s out of the house. You obviously haven’t heard the radio traffic from that night. The officer’s on scene while everything was happening acted in a very calm manner. Why they didn’t take the girl out of the house, probably because they were trying to keep from getting shot themselves. Officer’s are human as well, and to Monday night quarterback this event is not good.

If you would like to listen to the “Panicked Officer’s”, go to scangwinnett.com click on feed archive, then on 1-3-08. After all the times come up, fine the time frame of 8:09 pm - 8:25 pm. About two minutes into it, you’ll hear your “panicked officers” calling out radio traffic, letting responding officer’s know how to come in so not to be in the line of fire, getting patrol cars up near the house to get the wounded out (since FD and the ambulance don’t go into a situation like that). All the while being shot at, at one point you can hear the gun fire in the back ground.

You let me know if the sounded like they were in a panic.

You make the call.

XXXXXXX

This comment, while it conclusively demonstrates the Gwinnett Police Department did not panic, and I accept that my conclusion was wrong; on the other side of the coin, it does prove that Sarah was left in the home alone, not evacuated from the house as the AJC and other media outlets reported.

William Cormier

by William Cormier (126 articles, 6 quicklinks, 17 diaries, 304 comments) on Monday, January 7, 2008 at 9:10:41 AM

Female was left in the house

Check out the radio traffic, my friend clearly states, after all officer's are out of the house, there is one female inside the residence.

Billy

by Billy (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 3 comments) on Monday, January 7, 2008 at 9:22:11 AM

I am nothing more than a patriotic American that is doing whatever I can to further the cause of democracy, the rule of law, and am absolutely outraged on how the Bush administration is defying our Congress, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights! Footnote: I write in a style that I believe is appropriate in today’s world where we can’t trust the Mainstream News Media, and rather than concentrating on one article alone, which may or may not receive the exposure and emphasis it should, I prefer...

to see more of bio, click on member name
William CormierI am nothing more than a patriotic American that is doing whatever I can to further the cause of democracy, the rule of law, and am absolutely outraged on how the Bush administration is defying our Congress, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights! Footnote: I write in a style that I believe is appropriate in today’s world where we can’t trust the Mainstream News Media, and rather than concentrating on one article alone, which may or may not receive the exposure and emphasis it should, I prefer...

to see more of bio, click on member name

I heard that

The Atlanta Journal Constitution just called, and to their credit, even as I'm writing, I believe they are speaking with Sarah right now. This is a story that defies logic in some regards, as I noted the officers who attempted to make the initial arrest were not "newbies", but seasoned officers. I am familiar with the Gwinnett Police Department and am well aware of their usual professionalism and efficiency. If there was even a hint that the perpetrator was capable of the act he committed - the situation would have played-out differently.

I believe I can safely "assume" that William Shable Caram did not have a police record that would have indicated he was violent, and what occurred is obviously NOT what was expected; it appears the police anticipated a run of the mill arrest - not the situation they became involved in.

My gripe in this matter is that the media stated the "couple" was evacuated from the home - and that was not the case. As a citizen, I'm also concerned in regard the up-tick in tasers being used throughout the United States as a first resort - not the last.

Best Regards,

William Cormier

NOTE: As I initially suspected, this story isn’t over yet - and more information will be forthcoming from the AJC (I believe), primarily because they did not receive all of the facts and now are in possession of new evidence and facts.

by William Cormier (126 articles, 6 quicklinks, 17 diaries, 304 comments) on Monday, January 7, 2008 at 10:00:23 AM

I am nothing more than a patriotic American that is doing whatever I can to further the cause of democracy, the rule of law, and am absolutely outraged on how the Bush administration is defying our Congress, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights! Footnote: I write in a style that I believe is appropriate in today’s world where we can’t trust the Mainstream News Media, and rather than concentrating on one article alone, which may or may not receive the exposure and emphasis it should, I prefer...

to see more of bio, click on member name
William CormierI am nothing more than a patriotic American that is doing whatever I can to further the cause of democracy, the rule of law, and am absolutely outraged on how the Bush administration is defying our Congress, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights! Footnote: I write in a style that I believe is appropriate in today’s world where we can’t trust the Mainstream News Media, and rather than concentrating on one article alone, which may or may not receive the exposure and emphasis it should, I prefer...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Rachael Kim Will Be Interviewing Sarah on WSB-TV @Chan 2

Sarah attempted to call-in to the reporter at the AJC, however she was not in her office when she returned the call.

I just received information that Sarah will be interviewed by WSB-TV, Channel 2 in Atlanta on this evening's news. I'm not sure if it will be the early or late edition.

This is certainly a matter wherein we, as Bloggers, can at times, with a lot of luck and perseverance - make a difference when it relates to a story or news article in which we have irrefutable evidence that the official version of the story was wrong.

William Cormier

by William Cormier (126 articles, 6 quicklinks, 17 diaries, 304 comments) on Monday, January 7, 2008 at 3:29:18 PM

I am nothing more than a patriotic American that is doing whatever I can to further the cause of democracy, the rule of law, and am absolutely outraged on how the Bush administration is defying our Congress, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights! Footnote: I write in a style that I believe is appropriate in today’s world where we can’t trust the Mainstream News Media, and rather than concentrating on one article alone, which may or may not receive the exposure and emphasis it should, I prefer...

to see more of bio, click on member name
William CormierI am nothing more than a patriotic American that is doing whatever I can to further the cause of democracy, the rule of law, and am absolutely outraged on how the Bush administration is defying our Congress, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights! Footnote: I write in a style that I believe is appropriate in today’s world where we can’t trust the Mainstream News Media, and rather than concentrating on one article alone, which may or may not receive the exposure and emphasis it should, I prefer...

to see more of bio, click on member name

The Truth Is Out!

The Truth Is Out!: Today, The Atlanta Journal Constitution published a story that I believe is truthful, they didn’t mince words and allowed the facts to be published. I stand humbled that our local media is more forthright and honest than other national publications, and they deserve Kudos for setting the record straight:

Standoff housemate criticizes Gwinnett police for abandoning her

By ANDRIA SIMMONS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 01/08/08

A housemate of the man who shot and wounded two Gwinnett County police officers last week said responding officers failed to protect her and treated her “like a suspect.”

Sarah Akines, 25, said police who were rescuing the wounded officers left her inside the house with the gunman to fend for herself. Then, Akines says, when she ran outside, officers stunned her with a Taser.

“It frustrated me because I was handled like a suspect,” she said. “That’s excessive force. You don’t Tase somebody coming out of the house, and the fact they left me in there is even worse.” MUCH MORE

The truth has been told, and to me, I believe this serves the public interest. It’s not often in these trying days when the truth actually prevails, and to witness real journalism at work has been an undeniable pleasure.

WJC

by William Cormier (126 articles, 6 quicklinks, 17 diaries, 304 comments) on Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 6:04:42 PM