Wardrobe switch may have caused SWAT sniper to shoot wrong woman

[Story]

PHOENIX (KPHO) -
A wardrobe switch may have caused a Phoenix S.W.A.T. sniper to shoot the wrong woman.

A Phoenix police spokesman said an armed female suspect barricaded herself and another woman inside an apartment complex near 12th Street and Broadway Road.

Sgt. Trent Crump said police sharpshooters fired when they thought they saw the suspect threatening the other woman.

It turns out, the person they shot was not the suspect.

http://www.kpho.com/story/14921355/wardrobe-switch-may-have-caused-swat-sniper-to-shoot-wrong-woman?hpt=ju_bn6

[rowjimmy]

Meh, she was probably guilty of something...student loan default, tax fraud.. I'm sure she had it coming :rolleyes:

[gman]

I remember a situation in Florida, bad guy runs into home and ties up the dad, mom, and adult daughter. Swat rolls up. Couple hours later bad guy tells daughter to go to kitchen and get him some water. Sniper kills her as she's in the kitchen. Bad guy gets scared so he gives up. Last shot of the news segment swat members are high-fiving each other. Trigger happy.

[John Culver]

Originally posted by gman
Last shot of the news segment swat members are high-fiving each other. Trigger happy.

That right there is the problem.

[Dave Hume]

The problem is that SWAT teams exist AT ALL.

Get rid of the paramilitary units, the paramilitary mindset will follow.

Get rid of ALL of the fookers.

[SWOHFAL]

Originally posted by Dave Hume
The problem is that SWAT teams exist AT ALL.

Get rid of the paramilitary units, the paramilitary mindset will follow.

Get rid of ALL of the fookers.

I think every big city should have one, but they should be very few in number and for hostage rescue only, not trained as a general purpose assault force. Small towns don't need them and can rely on a local metro or state police to provide them when and if needed. As it stands, many rural counties and small towns have SWAT teams - WTF?

[Deltaten]

WHen it went from " Protect and Serve" to "Let's all be sure to go home tonite" is when it failed..miserably. When PA SP put a "Soldiers of the Law" sticker on the window pillar, I knew we were fooked!

[Sailor553]

I still miss Reed and Malloy....:sad:

[odin75]

The problem is that SWAT teams exist AT ALL.

Get rid of the paramilitary units, the paramilitary mindset will follow.

Get rid of ALL of the fookers.


This might sound strange coming from a guy who has 6 years of SWAT experience, but there is truth in you're sentiments. SWAT teams should only be used for last resort and in much more limited applications than they are generally used today. The paramilitary mindset is dangerous and opposed to the correct mindset of community "Peace Officer". The "billy badass"shit has to go. There are far too many instances where the "bad guy" could easily be surveilled and picked up in safer circumstances for everyone involved rather than making assaults and busting down doors. Even with the best laid plans and the best intentions, accidents happen and nothing ever goes according to plan....which opens the door for tragedy. Local community law enforcement needs to get back to it's "Peace Officer" roots. Protection and advocacy for those in the community who cannot protect themselves effectively or are being taken advantage of.

Greg in FL