WARNING: Graphic video
BURNS, Ore., Jan. 28, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) ─ The Federal Bureau of Investigations has released video of the fatal shooting of LaVoy Finicum, a spokesman for the militia group that occupied the Malheur Wildlife Refuge since Jan. 2.
The unedited video, apparently shot Tuesday from a helicopter above the scene, was released after others traveling with the group militia members gave varying reports of the actions that led to Finicum’s fatal shooting, including one account that accused law enforcement officials of shooting Finicum after he dared them to.
The FBI’s reported that Finicum exited his vehicle, ran into a snowy field and held up his hands, but reached down toward his belt area, causing officers to believe he was retrieving a gun. The video then shows Finicum dropping to the ground and remaining motionless. That happens 9:33 minutes into the 26-minute video.
The FBI reported a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun was later found in Finicum’s pocket.
Prior to the shooting, the video also shows a vehicle apparently driven by Finicum coming close to or striking an officer, who fell to the ground.
Also wounded in the shooting was Ryan Bundy, according to an account shared at a Wednesday news conference. Also capture was the movement leader and the wounded man’s brother, Ammon Bundy, along with Kanab resident Shawna Cox and four others.
The eight people were traveling on on Tuesday from the refuge to a planned meeting in a nearby town when law enforcement officials stopped the vehicles.
Ammon Bundy later released a statement through his attorney, asking the others who remained at the refuge to leave the site and go to their homes. At least eight people reportedly have left the refuge since then, including Provo resident Dylan Anderson, who was taken into custody.
(DEVELOPING)
