Woman, 92, dies in shootout with police

[wordsmythe]

Woman, 92, dies in shootout with police - CNN.com


ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- Narcotics officers were justified in returning fire on a 92-year-old woman they shot to death as they tried to serve a warrant at her house, a police official said.

Neighbors and relatives said it was a case of mistaken identity. But police said the woman, identified as 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 and "knocked and announced" before they forced open the door. He said they were justified in shooting once they were fired upon.

As the plainclothes Atlanta police officers approached the house about 7 p.m. Monday, 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.

Sarah Dozier, identified as a niece of the woman, told WAGA-TV that there were never any drugs at the house.

And it's OK for them to do this because they had a warrant and the standards of responsibility for the police serving a search warrant have been relaxed.

[lurker]

She sure weren't no Granny Clampett.

RIP

Kathryn Johnston

[TexKan]

Mistaken house??? Happens alot - too bad. The family will reap the wrongful death if it was the wrong addy. It's all about communication. I know my son bopped down a door that was the wrong door. Luckily it was an empty apt. The investigators tell the swat which house, the swat makes the plan and executes - they don't check out the info - that's not thier job down here. Soundsl like the narcotics team was servin their own warrent - I saw Swat on the tape but not so sure they did the shootin - Course if ya ain't got nuthin to hide why shoot? They clearly said who they were - I'm sure. Maybe she couldn't hear that well. Sounds like she wasn't much into to talkin.......... RIP Katie - kinda brings new meaning to Katie bar the door............... sorry bad taste joke. She did shoot 3 officers tho...... what else could they do? The niece will now be on easy street in about 3 years when it gets to court........ she'll be happy then.

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by wordsmythe

And it's OK for them to do this because they had a warrant and the standards of responsibility for the police serving a search warrant have been relaxed.

Let me refer you here for an explanation;

The Whack'em & Stack'em White Paper
News Analysis by J.J. Johnson

News - SierraTimes.com

[TexKan]

Further explination - It's OK cause she shot 3 officers....... if anything this is probably a wrongful death - I doubt they knew the shooter was 92 till it was all over. When ya shoot at cops don't be surprised if ya don't live to tell the story....... this don't take a genious to figger out. It truely is sad but also predictable. Granted they shoulda had the right house - perhaps they did - either way IF a mistake was made - she won't get to spend the money but her family won't hesitate to spend it.

[K C Muffin]

I gotta go with Texie on this one. She was armed before the policemen broke the door down - they identified themselves and probably were drivin' a police car. She had to know who they were. She wounded three of them. Might have killed them if she'd been a better shot. So why did she just come out shootin? This just sounds weird. Worse yet, we'll probably never hear the correct version.

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by K C Muffin

I gotta go with Texie on this one. She was armed before the policemen broke the door down - they identified themselves and probably were drivin' a police car. She had to know who they were. She wounded three of them. Might have killed them if she'd been a better shot. So why did she just come out shootin? This just sounds weird. Worse yet, we'll probably never hear the correct version.

A couple of thoughts here KC.

Often cops park their cars out of sight or use unmarked cars so as not to alert the folks they’re getting ready to raid.

A lot of home invasion type robberies done by violent criminals begin with the crooks kicking in the door yelling “POLICE!” Notice the story said “"knocked and announced" before they forced open the door.” Did you ever watch that Cops show on TV were they are kicking in the door as they finish their little announcement? They come in with guns drawn and the warrant in their pocket.

Personally I think putting offices lives at risk in this manner to enforce drug laws is not good policy.

[wordsmythe]

I've noticed on Cops that they seem to have one of the "cops" designated to stand there and yell "Stop resisiting" even if the person is out cold, just for the camera.

Cops think they are the end all and be all king shit studs in ANY situation. They should be SURE before they kick in any door.

[K C Muffin]

Ok, Hiway (and even Wordie - how 'bout that?) - I gotcha....I just don't get how the woman was armed and shooting so quickly. Does she sit in her rocking chair with the gun in her lap? I just remember my grandma used to sit in her chair with the front of her house in full view while she watched her "stories" on TV. I just think it would be hard to surprise someone like that. I don't necessarily agree with breaking the door down and forcing their way inside, but I think that if they'd knocked and pleasantly announced themself, the supposed perp would have been gone out the back door or upstairs window. Maybe it's my Pollyanna side comin' out, but I generally believe that cops act reasonably. Sometimes I'm wrong. Definitely got the wrong house. Definitely. Heads'll roll over that, I'm sure.

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by K C Muffin

...I just don't get how the woman was armed and shooting so quickly. Does she sit in her rocking chair with the gun in her lap?...

Some folks that live in high crime neighborhoods do. I know a guy that once lived in Huston whose wife did exactly that until he got home from work.

Originally Posted by K C Muffin

...but I think that if they'd knocked and pleasantly announced themself, the supposed perp would have been gone out the back door or upstairs window....

Or flush the evidence down the toilet.