HankT
State Researcher
imported post
It certainly is clear thatthis fellow Barraco was a bad guy intent on getting away from a cop at any cost--even if he had to assault the cop.
But what catches my interest is that a couple of brave citizens took it upon themselves to chase and tackle the fleeing felon.
No guns were required by the citizens to help end the threat. Good for them!
Cops: Trooper who fatally shot driver acted in self-defense
September 14, 2009 By PATRICK WHITTLE
The state trooper who shot and killed a driver on the Robert MosesCauseway Sunday acted in self-defense after the man took the trooper's police baton and used it to hit the trooper several times in the face and head, state police said in a statement Monday.
Police identified the driver as Steven Barraco, 42, of Deer Park, and the trooper as a five-year member of the State Police.
The altercation between Barraco and the trooper, 29, began after the trooper observed Barraco making an illegal u-turn over a median on the causeway, Maj. Walter Heesch said in a statement.
Barraco then drove through a stop sign and accelerated to more than 100 mph as the trooper began pursuit, Heesch said.
The trooper chased Barraco for about 3.25 miles before Barraco ditched his vehicle on a traffic median and attempted to flee on foot, Heesch said. A "violent struggle," in which Barraco was able to get control of the trooper's police baton, ensued after the trooper pursued Barraco on foot, Heesch said.
"Barraco got on top of the Trooper and continued to strike the Trooper on the head with the baton," Heesch's statement said. "The Trooper is able to draw his Glock .45 caliber handgun and fired one round which struck Barraco in his upper body."
The trooper, who was later treated and released from a hospital, lost consciousness as the wounded Barraco attempted to flee on foot, Heesch said. Two motorists tackled and subdued Barraco not far from the scene until more police and emergency service workers could arrive, Heesch said.
Barraco was pronounced dead at the scene, Heesch said. Barraco, whose license was suspended at the time, had a small amount of marijuana in his car, he said.
The case remains under investigation, Heesch's statement read.
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/cops-trooper-who-fatally-shot-driver-acted-in-self-defense-1.1446437
It certainly is clear thatthis fellow Barraco was a bad guy intent on getting away from a cop at any cost--even if he had to assault the cop.
But what catches my interest is that a couple of brave citizens took it upon themselves to chase and tackle the fleeing felon.
No guns were required by the citizens to help end the threat. Good for them!
Cops: Trooper who fatally shot driver acted in self-defense
September 14, 2009 By PATRICK WHITTLE
The state trooper who shot and killed a driver on the Robert MosesCauseway Sunday acted in self-defense after the man took the trooper's police baton and used it to hit the trooper several times in the face and head, state police said in a statement Monday.
Police identified the driver as Steven Barraco, 42, of Deer Park, and the trooper as a five-year member of the State Police.
The altercation between Barraco and the trooper, 29, began after the trooper observed Barraco making an illegal u-turn over a median on the causeway, Maj. Walter Heesch said in a statement.
Barraco then drove through a stop sign and accelerated to more than 100 mph as the trooper began pursuit, Heesch said.
The trooper chased Barraco for about 3.25 miles before Barraco ditched his vehicle on a traffic median and attempted to flee on foot, Heesch said. A "violent struggle," in which Barraco was able to get control of the trooper's police baton, ensued after the trooper pursued Barraco on foot, Heesch said.
"Barraco got on top of the Trooper and continued to strike the Trooper on the head with the baton," Heesch's statement said. "The Trooper is able to draw his Glock .45 caliber handgun and fired one round which struck Barraco in his upper body."
The trooper, who was later treated and released from a hospital, lost consciousness as the wounded Barraco attempted to flee on foot, Heesch said. Two motorists tackled and subdued Barraco not far from the scene until more police and emergency service workers could arrive, Heesch said.
Barraco was pronounced dead at the scene, Heesch said. Barraco, whose license was suspended at the time, had a small amount of marijuana in his car, he said.
The case remains under investigation, Heesch's statement read.
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/cops-trooper-who-fatally-shot-driver-acted-in-self-defense-1.1446437