Friday, December 26, 2008

Deandre Brunston - Excessive Force or Deputies afraid for their lives

Deandre Brunston, a 24 year old male, (nicknamed "Trey"), residing in Compton, Los Angeles County, California, in the United States of America, was shot and killed August 24, 2003, during a standoff with Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies while resisting arrest for an alleged domestic abuse incident. After attempting to evade the police, Brunston ended up cornered on someone's doorsteps where he began taunting and negotiating with the police. He repeatedly told the officers he was wanted for murder (Deandre was not wanted for murder), would rather die right then and there than go back to prison, and that he had a gun in his hand and would use it to shoot the police dog (and the deputies) if the dog was released. However, he was in fact unarmed, only carrying a flip-flop shoe in his right hand, hidden under his T-shirt. Brunston repeatedly stated that he would throw his "gun" down and surrender if he were allowed to speak to his girlfriend Fonda Brown by phone.

After nearly a half hour of unsuccessful negotiations between Brunston and police, one of the deputies called the K9 Department Head, Lieutenant Patrick Maxwell, who, from his cell phone at a party, issued a firm order to release the K9 police dog upon the suspect. A few minutes later, the K9 dog sprinted toward Brunston, at which time Brunston tossed the flip-flop at the dog. The police opened fired at the suspect with 81 rounds, striking the K-9 a split second before it attacked the suspect.

Watch the video here.

Both Brunston and the K9 were seriously wounded in the shooting, and both later died of their injuries. Part of the controversy surrounding this incident involves the fact that the wounded K9 received an emergency helicopter airlift to a veterinary center while Brunston, who was still alive and moving after being shot 22 times, was left to bleed to death on the concrete steps, leading to allegations of Brunston receiving sub-par treatment as compared to the dog.

Give us your thoughts on this incident. Was the force excessive? Was the Sheriff's Department acting in a manner that would be considered "required" to take control of the situation?

Do Gangs and Gang Members such as "Trey" pose such a great risk to society, that lethal force may be necessary?

16 comments:

Robert Seberger said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
LACRIMEPREVENTION said...

I think that race has nothing to do with ignorance. He did make some bad choices and the statements that he made were made true by his own actions. He most likely did not expect for this to happen even though he stated so. Also. It was a flip-flop not a gun that he had in his hand.

blckhe4rt said...

Robert Seberger - How can you say that? He is a kid, even if he is a foolish one for his actions, he is still a young man and a human being regardless of his race. What if it was your child that was shot so many times because of a bad decision?

And what ever happened to less lethal weapons and tactics? And an order to release the K-9 from a cellphone at a party??? How much alcohol did he have at the party before issuing that order???

Unknown said...

i believe they were being way over excessive! they werent even sure what they were shooting at??
and in the hail of their stupidity shot a police officer. i know that it was a dog, but would they have felt the same if it were one of their human officers? i just think this incident could have been resolved without deadly force. God rest the souls that were lost that day.

Unknown said...

I believe that the police over reacted and why couldn't they at lest confirm that he has a gun. I think that the police should at least try to agreed with him.

Lala said...

Robert...don't be racist. It doesn't matter the color, it's just color! Ignorance doesn't look for races but for unfortunate and destroyed minds.

Lala
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wiwid said...

I think that race has nothing to do with ignorance.
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Unknown said...

Very interesting post. I think race isn't the key but the communities in which these events happen. Thanks for this post though it enlightened me on a few things.

Unknown said...

A similiar situation happened in NYC. The problem is cops need to patrol neighborhoods and know the people instead of the us vs. them mentality. I also agree this has less to do with race and more to do with small minded people. Thanks Diploma frames

Sean said...

fIRST OF ALL, HE THREW DOWN THE SLIPPER AFTER THE FIRST SHOTS WERE FIRED, AFTER! THEY FUCKIN KILLED HIM BECAUSE THEY ARE PUSSIES! ALL THE COPS IN THIS CASE SHOULD BE KILLED! COPS ARE FAGGOTS. IT WAS NICE TO SEE THE DOG KILLED THOUGH

Unknown said...

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Robert Seberger said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
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Unknown said...

Wow, found this video while researching my own case against the lasd. It is truly horrific and i cant express my disgust with their banter afterwards. Oh no the dog, and he's still moving, but then taking no action to try to save his life. These deputies have commited murder on this day. Murder. As to the race thing it is obvious that the prisons are filled with black men. Thats a fact, and i cant be of the opinion that it is because they commit more crimes. Instead it is my opinion that those deputies who shot this man, and its not a unique situation, should be the ones behind bars. Look at the difference in crime.... He was allegedy in a domestic dispute. Those police shot him over and over and let him bleed to death. Who is really the one to fear this man with a shoe or these monsters who suggest they do anything to uphold any law while killing because they got tired of negotiating after half an hour.. They believe they are above the law and i think until we rise up against such tyranny we will be destined to see this happen over and over and over. I live near this area and remember hearing the helicopter. I remember being afraid for the suspect since my recent run in with these people. I never realized though that it went down like that. I doubt they did but i pray that the men who shot faced some kind of consequence and that the family received some kind of a monetary appology in lue of the actual appology i am certain they will never be granted.

Unknown said...

I feel your presence. I hear your voice. But most of all I miss your touch. It's not a day that goes by that I don't think about you. Your words u left here with me comforts me at my weakest hour. You was anot amazing older brother to me and an amazing father.i love the fact that everytime i hear my name i think of you. Rest easy brother. Can't wait to met with you again #youroneandonlysister