Aftermath of death LaVoy Finicum

1 aftermath of death

1.1 investigation
1.2 prosecution of fbi agent
1.3 reactions

aftermath of death
investigation

after finicum s death, officials stated reaching gun in pocket when shot state trooper. fbi said loaded handgun found in finicum s pocket. later identified 9mm ruger sr9 handgun. finicum received handgun gift stepson. public autopsy performed on january 28, officials withheld autopsy report press until march 8. cause of death listed 3 gunshot wounds of back, abdomen , chest. manner of death: homicide. wounds specified gunshot entry (posterior left shoulder, left upper , right lower back.)

investigators deschutes county sheriff s office, assigned process scene of finicum s shooting, accounting 2 known sets of shots fired osp officers during event (the shots killed finicum, , earlier shots struck vehicle) when discovered bullet struck roof of truck @ different trajectory. after ascertaining bullet s existence cell phone video taken 1 of finicum s passengers, investigators modeled bullet s trajectory using computers, , determined bullet fired direction 2 fbi agents standing. later determined fbi hostage rescue team member fired twice @ finicum, missing , injuring second militant in process. agent, identity withheld, under investigation, along 4 other fbi agents suspected of attempting conceal evidence of gunshots. reportedly told investigators none of them fired shot during incident.

during initial processing of scene, rifle cartridge casings purportedly fired fbi agent reported not present. however, osp officer later described seeing 2 casings @ scene near fbi agents positioned. fbi aerial surveillance video shows agents searching area, huddling before breaking moments later, 1 agent bending on twice pick unknown object. law enforcement officials began investigation gunshots after watching full surveillance video , suspecting amiss. 2 fbi pickup trucks searched casings, none found, while @ least 3 osp officers interrogated initial processing of scene.

on march 8, officials revealed findings public. u.s. department of justice launched investigation conduct of agents. deschutes county sheriff s office investigators, along district attorneys of malheur , harney counties, declared finicum s shooting death justified , necessary.

on april 5, cellphone video footage shot of finicum s passengers released authorities.

prosecution of fbi agent

an fbi agent, w. joseph astarita, alleged have fired 2 shots @ finicum s pickup, 1 of penetrated roof of pickup , exited through window. fbi agents believed have recovered ejected empty cartridges. five-count indictment lying circumstances @ scene of finicum s death, , obstruction of justice, has been obtained in portland against astarita department of justice. being represented public defender.

reactions

prior video of action being released, of militants , supporters had claimed finicum cooperating police when shot. included claim nevada legislator michele fiore (who not present @ arrest) murdered hands up. cliven bundy quoted saying finicum sacrificed purpose. in march 3 interview in jail, ammon bundy called shooting egregious , said officers involved should ashamed of it.

at news conference, officials had declined comment on finicum shooting because encounter still under investigation, later released surveillance video of incident, officials said shows finicum reaching handgun after feigning surrender. however, finicum s family continued dispute nature of shooting, claiming shot in while hands in air, , denied fbi s assertion finicum armed @ time of death. finicum family commissioned private autopsy, declined make results public.

the oregon state police received death threats. on february 6, more 1,000 supporters attended finicum s funeral in kanab, utah, while others rebuilt razed memorial on u.s. route 395. 100 people led 3 percenters rallied @ idaho state capitol in afternoon in honor of finicum, believed unarmed @ time of death. on march 4, small group of dozen armed protesters surrounded federal courthouse in tucson, arizona, demanding state troopers shot finicum indicted , fired. rally, led finicum s widow, held @ utah state capitol on march 5. 200–300 people in attendance. several dozen rallies held @ various locations throughout country following saturday.

on may 12, more dozen arizona politicians wrote letter oregon governor kate brown, in asked conduct another, more transparent investigation finicum s death.

on august 27, 2016, finicum s widow jeanette announced plans sue osp , fbi civil rights violations relating death. retained california-based attorney, representing ryan bundy, case.