BURNS, Ore., Jan. 27, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Law enforcement officials on Wednesday addressed the death of one protester, and the arrest of several others, in connection with the ongoing armed occupation of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge, in eastern Oregon.
“Actions are not without consequences,” said special agent Greg Bretzing, who is in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Oregon.
Those arrested through a traffic stop on Oregon’s U.S. 235 as they traveled to a meeting were movement leader Ammon Edward Bundy, 40, of Emmett, Idaho; Ryan C. Bundy, 43, of Bunkerville, Nev.; Brian Cavalier, 44, also of Bunkerville; Peter Santilli; Ryan Waylen Payne, 32, of Anaconda, Mont.; and Shawna Cox, 59, Kanab, Utah. Joseph Donald O’Shaughnessy, 45, of Cottonwood, Ariz., was arrested in a separate event in Burns, Ore.
The name of the person fatally shot was not released at the news conference, but has been widely reported to be LaVoy Finicum, 55, of Cane Beds, Ariz.
“We have had a very deliberate and measured response,” Bretzing said. “We have worked diligently to bring the situation at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge to a peaceful end.”
“There are will people illegally occupying the Malheur Wildlife Refuge at this point,” he said. “I will say they have been given ample opportunity to negotiate.” Bretzing said armed occupiers have been urged to return to their families and to have their grievances addressed by the legal system.
The armed protesters, most of whom are ranchers by trade, took over the refuge on Jan. 2, and voiced their anger over the convictions and prison sentences of ranchers Dwight Hammond and his son, Steven Hammond. The two were found guilty of arson on federal land, in a dispute about grazing rights and fees.
Also speaking at the news conference was Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward, who was involved in the arrest operation.
“This can’t happen anymore,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion. “This can’t happen in America. This can’t happen in Harney County.”
Ward said his own negotiations with the group had failed.
“They had ultimatums I couldn’t meet,” he said. “I’m hear to uphold the law. I’m disappointed the traffic stop yesterday that was supposed to bring a peaceful resolution to this ended so badly.”
Ward said the occupation is hurting area residents. If it were just a matter of waiting out the protesters, “We could have waited a lot longer,” he said, “… but his has been tearing our community apart. It’s time for everyone involved in this occupation to move on. There doesn’t have to be bloodshed in our community.”
Bill Williams, Oregon’s U.S. District Attorney, said multiple law enforcement agencies have been focused on the refuge occupation.
“We have been working very hard to resolve the situation in a peaceful manner and to stop threats to public safety,” he said. “We will continue working on a resolution.”
