News stories of civilian self-defense seldom receive adequate media coverage. After all, armed good guys stopping violent felons does not make headlines like the lives of innocents being taken. Bias and agendas play their part, but the media does not cover an event that did not happen, such as a case where a good guy stopped a violent event before it resulted in the loss of innocent life. However, these are exactly the type of stories we need to highlight to educate non gun owners before they head to the voting booth.
Bodycam Shows Greeley Police Gunfight With Meth-Fueled Shooter
Prosecutors ruled that Greeley police officers were justified in using deadly force against Russel Cooley.
Weld County, CO – Prosecutors have ruled that police were justified in their use of force when they fatally shot a man who fired 55 shots at Greeley police officers (video below).
The incident began at about 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 14, 2019 when Greeley police responded to a call about shots fired near 13th Street and 26th Avenue, KUSA reported. Witnesses told police that a white pickup truck had been shooting at another vehicle. Weld County sheriff’s deputies spotted the suspect vehicle an hour later at a gas station in Eaton. The truck fled and deputies pursued it at speeds of up to 90 mph before they terminated the chase for safety reasons. A Greeley officer spotted the suspect vehicle going east on 37th Street near 47th Avenue, according to KUSA.
The decision letter from the 19th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said that the Greeley officer chased the suspect into a residential neighborhood.
The chase ended at 37th Street and Marigold Avenue when two suspects jumped out of the pickup truck and started shooting at the officers.
The prosecutor’s letter said one of the officers returned fire and the suspects shot him in the arm. Bodycam video showed that the officer drove directly into gunfire to try and stop the suspect. The officer then jumped out of his patrol vehicle to return fire until he was hit. A woman who was reported to have been in the suspect’s vehicle was shot in the leg by police during the gunfight.
That’s when the suspect — later identified as Russel Cooley — dashed into his family’s home in the 3600-block of Marigold Street and a standoff began.
The letter from the district attorney said that Cooley told police at 1:40 a.m. on Nov. 15, 2019 that his family was inside but that officers didn’t need to come inside because he was going to kill himself. Officers heard a shot fired from within the residence just five minutes later at 1:45 a.m. Cooley’s stepfather called 911 and said he thought the suspect had shot himself. Dispatchers were able to instruct the family on how to safely exit the home without incident.
The letter said officers found Cooley dead, face down on the ground with the gun still in his right hand.. Lab tests later revealed the suspect had a large amount of methamphetamine in his system when he died. Officers found the rifle Cooley had used to shoot at law enforcement dismantled and hidden in a laundry basket..
The officer who was wounded at the start of the gunfight underwent surgery 19 days after he was shot and is expected to make a full recovery, the prosecutor’s letter said.
Police found 19 bullet holes in the wounded officer’s police vehicle. They recovered 55 shell casings at the scene.
The letter from the prosecutor’s office said law enforcement were justified in using deadly force during the incident, KUSA reported. Watch what happened when the officer got out of his vehicle in the video below:
Security Guard ‘Definitely Saved Lives’ by Killing Shooter
A Missouri security guard was being hailed as a hero in Kansas City on Tuesday after police said he fatally shot a gunman who killed one person and wounded 15 outside a nightclub during celebrations of the Kansas City Chiefs’ conference championship.
Gunman Jahron Swift, 29, killed Raeven Parks, 25, when he fired on the line awaiting entry into the 9ine Ultra Lounge just before midnight Sunday, Police Chief Richard Smith said. Smith said a “disturbance” took place inside the bar shortly before the shooting. An armed private security guard was inside the club and heard the commotion outside. Smith did not identify the guard, saying only that he was not an off-duty police officer.
“He went outside and that’s when he confronted the suspect,” Smith said. “We think the security guard’s actions definitely saved lives.” Smith said officers quickly arrived on the scene, but only the suspect and the security guard fired shots. A motive for the attack had not been determined.
Police said the business was known to police, and shootings had been reported there before. Officers had checked on the club minutes before Sunday’s shooting. Hours earlier, the Chiefs had defeated the Tennessee Titans to claim a spot in the Super Bowl. The game Feb. 2 will mark the team’s first Super Bowl appearance in 50 years, and the city was awash in parties Sunday night. Police recovered several guns that Smith said apparently belonged to the shooter.
Mayor Quinton Lucas said the 9ine Ultra Lounge could lose its license. The club posted a statement on Facebook saying it was “saddened by the unsavory, tragic act of one individual.”
“Our organization does not believe senseless violence is the answer to resolve any problem,” the statement said. “We would also ask that if you are impacted by this event negatively to please seek support and comfort from family, friends and professional organizations skilled to handle trauma.”
The carnage took place less than four months after four people were killed and five wounded in a shooting rampage at another bar in the city.
Lucas said the city is working to curb gun violence.
“We’ve got a problem in Kansas City,” Lucas said. “We said a few times that it is an epidemic of gun violence. We are losing too many lives; we have too many people shot each year.”
Do you have a story of armed good guys that shows the importance of firearm ownership for self-defense? Share it in the comment section.
Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.
Wow. I didn’t see ANY of this on Mikey Bloombucks’ commercials about Gun Control…
Probably just an honest omission of the FACTS.