JimConway
Instructor
See below for the DEA stats on last years shootings.
Lots of dogs shot, lots of AD's. A LONG read, but good info!
Observations? Lessons? Comment at will...
=======================================
DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION
Office of Inspections
2007 Firearms Discharge Report
The 2007 Firearms Discharge Report is an examination of 56 DEA firearms discharge incidents that occurred during fiscal year (FY) 07. This report provides a statistical overview of the incidents, along with a short synopsis of each shooting. The information contained in this report is intended to educate DEA’s SA/TFO workforce and to ensure that DEA’s SAs/TFOs conduct enforcement and training operations safely and in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Incidents noted in this report consist of on-duty/off-duty shootings involving DEA SAs or TFOs, shootings by state/local law enforcement officers while assisting DEA, and shootings involving foreign law enforcement agencies with whom DEA was engaged in joint operations.
These 56 incidents involved 79 LEOs, with 10 incidents involving multiple shooters. In 7 instances, suspects either fired or pointed loaded handguns at LEOs. In 10 instances, suspects used their vehicles as weapons.
Seventy of the LEOs involved in shootings utilized some type of ballistic armor (vests, shields). In FY 07, there were no reported instances of offenders utilizing ballistic armor.
While lessons have been learned and improvements to training and operational procedures have been made as a result of analyzing these incidents, IN believes that it is vital this information be disseminated to the field as a means of enhancing agent/officer safety.
In FY 07, the number of unintentional discharges increased from FY 06 (12 in FY 07 vs 7 in FY 06). Most of these unintentional discharges occurred as LEOs were preparing to store or clean handguns, indicating a failure to exercise proper firearm safety by checking the weapon for a loaded chamber prior to disassembling the weapon for cleaning or storage. Of the 10 unintentional discharges with handguns, 8 involved Glocks, 1 involved a Colt Commander, and 1 involved a Smith & Wesson revolver.
In 10 instances, suspects used their vehicle as weapons. Most of these instances occurred during buy/bust operations where suspects were able to defeat the vehicle containment techniques utilized. This allowed suspects to escape containment and place LEOs lives in danger, thus requiring the LEO to utilize deadly force.
Average distance between LEO and Offender – 14.6 feet
Average distance between LEO and canine – 5.1 feet
Average number of rounds fired by LEO per incident – 5 rounds
INCIDENT 1
On October 12, 2006, SAs/TFOs from the San Juan Office attempted to stop two suspects in a vehicle departing a housing project. After slowing down several times as if to stop, the vehicle again slowed and the suspect in the passenger’s seat jumped out and fled into some near woods. A TFO continued the pursuit on foot. The suspect turned and pointed a handgun at the TFO. The TFO fired one round from his Glock 23 .40 caliber at the suspect. The round missed and the suspect was arrested without further incident. The suspect was in possession of a Springfield .40 caliber semi-auto handgun at the time of arrest.
Distance of Shooting: 60 feet
INCIDENT 2
On October 26, 2006 SAs/TFOs from the Yakima Resident Office (RO) were assisting Washington State and Sheriff Department officers with a marijuana grow operation in a remote area of the Grayback Mountains. A SA and two local officers hiked several miles to the grow site during which the team become lost in the underbrush and one of the officers became exhausted and was unable to continue. Radio and cell phone communication was intermittent. The SA, in an effort to draw the attention of search teams, fired one round from her Sig Sauer P-229 .40 caliber handgun into the ground. The team was located by rescuers a short time later.
Distance of Shooting: N/A
INCIDENT 3
On October 27, 2006 SAs from the Rapid City Post of Duty (POD), assisted by local officers, executed a federal search warrant in Rapid City, SD. After entry was made and while clearing the residence, a local officer carrying a ballistic shield in his left hand and a Glock 22 .40 caliber handgun in his right, kicked open a closed laundry room door. As he kicked open the door, one round from his Glock discharged into the wall. The suspect and a child were located in the residence. No injuries occurred.
Distance of Shooting: N/A
INCIDENT 4
On November 9, 2006, SAs from the Miami Office attempted to arrest a DEA fugitive at a café in Miami, FL. After observing the fugitive enter a vehicle in the café’s parking lot, SAs attempted to contain the vehicle. One SA blocked the fugitive’s vehicle from the rear with an OGV and exited to approach the fugitive’s vehicle on foot. The fugitive backed into the OGV several times, each time pushing the OGV further to the rear. The fugitive then attempted to run down the SA. The SA fired six rounds from his Glock 23 handgun at the fugitive. The fugitive drove away and was arrested a short time later and was fond to be suffering from gunshot wounds to the chin, chest, left arm and shoulder. The SA was not injured. The fugitive was transported to the hospital where he was treated and survived his wounds.
Distance of Shooting: 7 feet
INCIDENT 5
On November 17, 2006, SAs were assisting local officers execute a search warrant at a residence in East Chicago, IN. While entering the residence, the team was charged by a large mix breed canine. One officer fired seven 9mm rounds from his H&K MP-5 submachine gun at the animal, striking it four times in the body. The animal continued to charge until a second officer fired one round from a Colt AR-15 .223 caliber rifle, striking the animal and killing it.
Distance of Shooting: 6 feet
INCIDENT 6
On November 17, 2006, a SA from the Atlanta Office was attempting to clean her Glock 27 .40 caliber handgun after range qualification. The SA was utilizing the weapon cleaning room at the police range. The SA ejected the chambered round, allowed the slide to return forward and removed the magazine. In preparing to disassemble the weapon, the SA pulled the trigger and the weapon discharged one round into the counter top. No injuries resulted from the discharge.
Distance of Shooting: N/A
INCIDENT 7
On December 1, 2006, SAs from the Cleveland RO, assisted by local officers, executed a federal search warrant at a residence in Akron, OH. While making entry, the team was charged by a large pit bull. A local officer fired eight rounds at the animal from his H&K MP-5 submachine gun. The animal was struck and the neck and body and was killed. One of the other four rounds punctured a water line in the basement, causing minor property damage.
Distance of Shooting: 10 feet
INCIDENT 8
On December 5, 2006, a TFO assigned to the St. Louis Office was cleaning several handguns belonging to a SA assigned to the office. After the TFO cleaned a Glock 27 .40 caliber handgun for the SA, the SA loaded the weapon, placed a round in the chamber and placed the weapon into a plastic case. Later, the TFO asked the SA to check the weapon to ensure the TFO had properly re-assembled the weapon. The SA removed the weapon’s magazine and without checking the chamber, pulled the trigger to disassemble the weapon. The weapon discharged one round, which struck the SA in the left hand and passed through a partition before striking a metal file cabinet. The SA was transported to the hospital and underwent surgery to repair his wound. The SA has returned to duty and no other injuries resulted from the discharge.
Distance of Shooting: N/A
INCIDENT 9
On December 12, 2006, deputies from the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department (SD) assisted members of the Los Angeles Division MET-2 execute a federal search warrant on a residence in Bloomington, CA. Upon making entry, the entry team was charged by two large pit bulls. One deputy fired one round from his H&K .45 caliber handgun, striking the pit bull in the head. The second pit bull charged and one deputy fired a round of 00 buck from his Remington 870 shotgun, striking the animal in the shoulder. Another deputy fired three rounds from his H&K MP-5 at the animal, striking it in the body several times and a third deputy fired one round from a .45 caliber H&K handgun at the animal. Both animals were killed
Distance of Shooting: 2 feet
INCIDENT 10
On December 13, 2006, local officers assisted SAs and TFOs from the Milwaukee DO in the controlled delivery/execution of a search warrant at a residence in Milwaukee, WI. As the local officers made entry, a Rottweiler charged the team. One officer fired two .223 caliber rounds from a M-4 carbine at the animal and another officer fired one round from a Sig Sauer P-226 9mm handgun at the animal. The animal was struck in the body by two of the rounds and was incapacitated.
Distance of Shooting: 2 feet
INCIDENT 11
On December 22, 2006 SAs from the Buffalo RO were assisted by officers from the Jamestown PD in executing a state search warrant at a residence in Jamestown, NY. Upon making entry, the entry team was charged by two pit bulls. An officer armed with a Colt M-4 rifle fired two rounds at the animals. The rounds missed and the animals fled to a nearby field.
Distance of Shooting: 3 feet
INCIDENT 12
On December 27, 2006 officers from the Detroit PD assisted SAs from the Detroit Office in the execution of a federal search warrant at a residence in Detroit, MI. As officers made entry, they were charged by a large pit bull. One officer fired one round from his Glock 22 handgun, striking the animal in the body and incapacitating it.
Distance of Shooting: 5 feet
INCIDENT 14
On January 11, 2007, SAs from the San Diego Office executed a federal search warrant at a residence in Lakeside, CA. As SAs made entry, they were charged by a large pit bull. One SA fired six rounds from his Glock 22 handgun at the animal, striking it in the head and neck areas and killing it.
Distance of Shooting: 5 feet
INCIDENT 15
On January 11, 2007 during an undercover operation in Miami, FL, SAs from the Miami Office attempted to contain and arrest a drug suspect in his vehicle. The suspect escaped containment and in doing so, struck and slightly injured an SA on foot. Two other SAs fired at the suspect; both fired one round from their Glock 22 handguns. The suspect was not struck and was later arrested. The injured SA was treated and released and has returned to duty.
Distance of Shooting: 5 feet
INCIDENT 16
On January 19, 2007 deputies from the Collier County SD assisted SAs from the Ft. Meyers RO in executing a federal search warrant at a residence in Collier County, FL. As deputies entered the residence, they were charged by three pit bulls. One deputy fired one round from his Glock 22 handgun, striking one of the animals in the back/chest area, killing the animal. The other animals were controlled by deputies on the scene.
Distance of Shooting: 5 feet
INCIDENT 17
On January 18, 2007 an Oxford RO confidential source (CS) was a victim of an attempted home invasion robbery. Two suspects attempted to enter the CS’ residence while armed with a shotgun and 9mm handgun. The suspect with the 9mm handgun fired one round at the CS, who returned fire with Glock 23 .40 caliber handgun. The CS fired 10 rounds, striking the suspect with the 9mm handgun twice; once in the right hand and once in the head. The suspect died at the scene.
Distance of Shooting: 10 feet
INCIDENT 18
On February 8, 2007, SAs from the Chicago Office MET, assisted by local officers, attempted the probable cause arrest of a suspect in a motor vehicle. As officers approached the suspect’s vehicle on foot, the suspect defeated containment and attempted to run down an officer. The officer fired one round from his Glock 23 handgun at the suspect. The suspect was not hit and was arrested a short time later.
Distance of Shooting: 5 feet
INCIDENT 19
On February 8, 2007, SAs from the Columbus DO executed a federal search warrant at a residence in Columbus, OH. As the SAs were making entry, they were charged by a pit bull. One SA fired two rounds of rifled slugs from a Remington 870 shotgun at the animal. The animal was hit once in the chest and killed.
Distance of Shooting: 10 feet
INCIDENT 20
On February 21, 2007, local officers were assisting SAs/TFOs from the Chicago Office make an arrest in a marijuana investigation at a residence in Geneva, IL. As officers approached the residence, they were charged by a large pit bull. A TFO fired one round from his Glock 21 .45 caliber handgun at the animal and a local detective fired two rounds from his Glock 23 at the animal. The animal was hit in the body and incapacitated.
Distance of Shooting: 3 feet
INCIDENT 21
On February 22, 2007, an SA assigned to the Albuquerque DO was cleaning his personally owned Smith & Wesson model 19 .357 caliber handgun at his workstation. Prior to wiping down the weapon, the SA unloaded the weapon and cocked the weapon while the cylinder was open. After wiping down the weapon, the SA placed the weapon between his legs and reloaded and closed the cylinder. The SA pulled the trigger, firing one round, which lodged in the floor. No injuries resulted from the discharge.
Distance of Shooting: N/A
INCIDENT 22
On February 23, 2007 a SA from the Yuma RO was attempting to disassemble his Glock 22 in the weapon cleaning area of the office. The SA ejected the chambered round and allowed the slide to return forward. The SA then dropped the weapon’s magazine and while pointing the weapon at a wall, pulled the trigger. The weapon discharged one round, which penetrated the wall and struck a metal door in the prisoner processing area. No injuries resulted form the discharge.
Distance of Shooting: N/A
Lots of dogs shot, lots of AD's. A LONG read, but good info!
Observations? Lessons? Comment at will...
=======================================
DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION
Office of Inspections
2007 Firearms Discharge Report
The 2007 Firearms Discharge Report is an examination of 56 DEA firearms discharge incidents that occurred during fiscal year (FY) 07. This report provides a statistical overview of the incidents, along with a short synopsis of each shooting. The information contained in this report is intended to educate DEA’s SA/TFO workforce and to ensure that DEA’s SAs/TFOs conduct enforcement and training operations safely and in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Incidents noted in this report consist of on-duty/off-duty shootings involving DEA SAs or TFOs, shootings by state/local law enforcement officers while assisting DEA, and shootings involving foreign law enforcement agencies with whom DEA was engaged in joint operations.
These 56 incidents involved 79 LEOs, with 10 incidents involving multiple shooters. In 7 instances, suspects either fired or pointed loaded handguns at LEOs. In 10 instances, suspects used their vehicles as weapons.
Seventy of the LEOs involved in shootings utilized some type of ballistic armor (vests, shields). In FY 07, there were no reported instances of offenders utilizing ballistic armor.
While lessons have been learned and improvements to training and operational procedures have been made as a result of analyzing these incidents, IN believes that it is vital this information be disseminated to the field as a means of enhancing agent/officer safety.
In FY 07, the number of unintentional discharges increased from FY 06 (12 in FY 07 vs 7 in FY 06). Most of these unintentional discharges occurred as LEOs were preparing to store or clean handguns, indicating a failure to exercise proper firearm safety by checking the weapon for a loaded chamber prior to disassembling the weapon for cleaning or storage. Of the 10 unintentional discharges with handguns, 8 involved Glocks, 1 involved a Colt Commander, and 1 involved a Smith & Wesson revolver.
In 10 instances, suspects used their vehicle as weapons. Most of these instances occurred during buy/bust operations where suspects were able to defeat the vehicle containment techniques utilized. This allowed suspects to escape containment and place LEOs lives in danger, thus requiring the LEO to utilize deadly force.
Average distance between LEO and Offender – 14.6 feet
Average distance between LEO and canine – 5.1 feet
Average number of rounds fired by LEO per incident – 5 rounds
INCIDENT 1
On October 12, 2006, SAs/TFOs from the San Juan Office attempted to stop two suspects in a vehicle departing a housing project. After slowing down several times as if to stop, the vehicle again slowed and the suspect in the passenger’s seat jumped out and fled into some near woods. A TFO continued the pursuit on foot. The suspect turned and pointed a handgun at the TFO. The TFO fired one round from his Glock 23 .40 caliber at the suspect. The round missed and the suspect was arrested without further incident. The suspect was in possession of a Springfield .40 caliber semi-auto handgun at the time of arrest.
Distance of Shooting: 60 feet
INCIDENT 2
On October 26, 2006 SAs/TFOs from the Yakima Resident Office (RO) were assisting Washington State and Sheriff Department officers with a marijuana grow operation in a remote area of the Grayback Mountains. A SA and two local officers hiked several miles to the grow site during which the team become lost in the underbrush and one of the officers became exhausted and was unable to continue. Radio and cell phone communication was intermittent. The SA, in an effort to draw the attention of search teams, fired one round from her Sig Sauer P-229 .40 caliber handgun into the ground. The team was located by rescuers a short time later.
Distance of Shooting: N/A
INCIDENT 3
On October 27, 2006 SAs from the Rapid City Post of Duty (POD), assisted by local officers, executed a federal search warrant in Rapid City, SD. After entry was made and while clearing the residence, a local officer carrying a ballistic shield in his left hand and a Glock 22 .40 caliber handgun in his right, kicked open a closed laundry room door. As he kicked open the door, one round from his Glock discharged into the wall. The suspect and a child were located in the residence. No injuries occurred.
Distance of Shooting: N/A
INCIDENT 4
On November 9, 2006, SAs from the Miami Office attempted to arrest a DEA fugitive at a café in Miami, FL. After observing the fugitive enter a vehicle in the café’s parking lot, SAs attempted to contain the vehicle. One SA blocked the fugitive’s vehicle from the rear with an OGV and exited to approach the fugitive’s vehicle on foot. The fugitive backed into the OGV several times, each time pushing the OGV further to the rear. The fugitive then attempted to run down the SA. The SA fired six rounds from his Glock 23 handgun at the fugitive. The fugitive drove away and was arrested a short time later and was fond to be suffering from gunshot wounds to the chin, chest, left arm and shoulder. The SA was not injured. The fugitive was transported to the hospital where he was treated and survived his wounds.
Distance of Shooting: 7 feet
INCIDENT 5
On November 17, 2006, SAs were assisting local officers execute a search warrant at a residence in East Chicago, IN. While entering the residence, the team was charged by a large mix breed canine. One officer fired seven 9mm rounds from his H&K MP-5 submachine gun at the animal, striking it four times in the body. The animal continued to charge until a second officer fired one round from a Colt AR-15 .223 caliber rifle, striking the animal and killing it.
Distance of Shooting: 6 feet
INCIDENT 6
On November 17, 2006, a SA from the Atlanta Office was attempting to clean her Glock 27 .40 caliber handgun after range qualification. The SA was utilizing the weapon cleaning room at the police range. The SA ejected the chambered round, allowed the slide to return forward and removed the magazine. In preparing to disassemble the weapon, the SA pulled the trigger and the weapon discharged one round into the counter top. No injuries resulted from the discharge.
Distance of Shooting: N/A
INCIDENT 7
On December 1, 2006, SAs from the Cleveland RO, assisted by local officers, executed a federal search warrant at a residence in Akron, OH. While making entry, the team was charged by a large pit bull. A local officer fired eight rounds at the animal from his H&K MP-5 submachine gun. The animal was struck and the neck and body and was killed. One of the other four rounds punctured a water line in the basement, causing minor property damage.
Distance of Shooting: 10 feet
INCIDENT 8
On December 5, 2006, a TFO assigned to the St. Louis Office was cleaning several handguns belonging to a SA assigned to the office. After the TFO cleaned a Glock 27 .40 caliber handgun for the SA, the SA loaded the weapon, placed a round in the chamber and placed the weapon into a plastic case. Later, the TFO asked the SA to check the weapon to ensure the TFO had properly re-assembled the weapon. The SA removed the weapon’s magazine and without checking the chamber, pulled the trigger to disassemble the weapon. The weapon discharged one round, which struck the SA in the left hand and passed through a partition before striking a metal file cabinet. The SA was transported to the hospital and underwent surgery to repair his wound. The SA has returned to duty and no other injuries resulted from the discharge.
Distance of Shooting: N/A
INCIDENT 9
On December 12, 2006, deputies from the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department (SD) assisted members of the Los Angeles Division MET-2 execute a federal search warrant on a residence in Bloomington, CA. Upon making entry, the entry team was charged by two large pit bulls. One deputy fired one round from his H&K .45 caliber handgun, striking the pit bull in the head. The second pit bull charged and one deputy fired a round of 00 buck from his Remington 870 shotgun, striking the animal in the shoulder. Another deputy fired three rounds from his H&K MP-5 at the animal, striking it in the body several times and a third deputy fired one round from a .45 caliber H&K handgun at the animal. Both animals were killed
Distance of Shooting: 2 feet
INCIDENT 10
On December 13, 2006, local officers assisted SAs and TFOs from the Milwaukee DO in the controlled delivery/execution of a search warrant at a residence in Milwaukee, WI. As the local officers made entry, a Rottweiler charged the team. One officer fired two .223 caliber rounds from a M-4 carbine at the animal and another officer fired one round from a Sig Sauer P-226 9mm handgun at the animal. The animal was struck in the body by two of the rounds and was incapacitated.
Distance of Shooting: 2 feet
INCIDENT 11
On December 22, 2006 SAs from the Buffalo RO were assisted by officers from the Jamestown PD in executing a state search warrant at a residence in Jamestown, NY. Upon making entry, the entry team was charged by two pit bulls. An officer armed with a Colt M-4 rifle fired two rounds at the animals. The rounds missed and the animals fled to a nearby field.
Distance of Shooting: 3 feet
INCIDENT 12
On December 27, 2006 officers from the Detroit PD assisted SAs from the Detroit Office in the execution of a federal search warrant at a residence in Detroit, MI. As officers made entry, they were charged by a large pit bull. One officer fired one round from his Glock 22 handgun, striking the animal in the body and incapacitating it.
Distance of Shooting: 5 feet
INCIDENT 14
On January 11, 2007, SAs from the San Diego Office executed a federal search warrant at a residence in Lakeside, CA. As SAs made entry, they were charged by a large pit bull. One SA fired six rounds from his Glock 22 handgun at the animal, striking it in the head and neck areas and killing it.
Distance of Shooting: 5 feet
INCIDENT 15
On January 11, 2007 during an undercover operation in Miami, FL, SAs from the Miami Office attempted to contain and arrest a drug suspect in his vehicle. The suspect escaped containment and in doing so, struck and slightly injured an SA on foot. Two other SAs fired at the suspect; both fired one round from their Glock 22 handguns. The suspect was not struck and was later arrested. The injured SA was treated and released and has returned to duty.
Distance of Shooting: 5 feet
INCIDENT 16
On January 19, 2007 deputies from the Collier County SD assisted SAs from the Ft. Meyers RO in executing a federal search warrant at a residence in Collier County, FL. As deputies entered the residence, they were charged by three pit bulls. One deputy fired one round from his Glock 22 handgun, striking one of the animals in the back/chest area, killing the animal. The other animals were controlled by deputies on the scene.
Distance of Shooting: 5 feet
INCIDENT 17
On January 18, 2007 an Oxford RO confidential source (CS) was a victim of an attempted home invasion robbery. Two suspects attempted to enter the CS’ residence while armed with a shotgun and 9mm handgun. The suspect with the 9mm handgun fired one round at the CS, who returned fire with Glock 23 .40 caliber handgun. The CS fired 10 rounds, striking the suspect with the 9mm handgun twice; once in the right hand and once in the head. The suspect died at the scene.
Distance of Shooting: 10 feet
INCIDENT 18
On February 8, 2007, SAs from the Chicago Office MET, assisted by local officers, attempted the probable cause arrest of a suspect in a motor vehicle. As officers approached the suspect’s vehicle on foot, the suspect defeated containment and attempted to run down an officer. The officer fired one round from his Glock 23 handgun at the suspect. The suspect was not hit and was arrested a short time later.
Distance of Shooting: 5 feet
INCIDENT 19
On February 8, 2007, SAs from the Columbus DO executed a federal search warrant at a residence in Columbus, OH. As the SAs were making entry, they were charged by a pit bull. One SA fired two rounds of rifled slugs from a Remington 870 shotgun at the animal. The animal was hit once in the chest and killed.
Distance of Shooting: 10 feet
INCIDENT 20
On February 21, 2007, local officers were assisting SAs/TFOs from the Chicago Office make an arrest in a marijuana investigation at a residence in Geneva, IL. As officers approached the residence, they were charged by a large pit bull. A TFO fired one round from his Glock 21 .45 caliber handgun at the animal and a local detective fired two rounds from his Glock 23 at the animal. The animal was hit in the body and incapacitated.
Distance of Shooting: 3 feet
INCIDENT 21
On February 22, 2007, an SA assigned to the Albuquerque DO was cleaning his personally owned Smith & Wesson model 19 .357 caliber handgun at his workstation. Prior to wiping down the weapon, the SA unloaded the weapon and cocked the weapon while the cylinder was open. After wiping down the weapon, the SA placed the weapon between his legs and reloaded and closed the cylinder. The SA pulled the trigger, firing one round, which lodged in the floor. No injuries resulted from the discharge.
Distance of Shooting: N/A
INCIDENT 22
On February 23, 2007 a SA from the Yuma RO was attempting to disassemble his Glock 22 in the weapon cleaning area of the office. The SA ejected the chambered round and allowed the slide to return forward. The SA then dropped the weapon’s magazine and while pointing the weapon at a wall, pulled the trigger. The weapon discharged one round, which penetrated the wall and struck a metal door in the prisoner processing area. No injuries resulted form the discharge.
Distance of Shooting: N/A