LR police fatally shoot man during raid
By
Jennifer Godwin
,
Gavin Lesnick
This article was originally published January 17, 2012 at 7:10 a.m. Updated January 17, 2012 at 3:49 p.m.
PHOTO BY GAVIN LESNICK
Family reacts after meeting with a police officer near the scene of a reported shooting early Tuesday.
- Comments (41)
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Police fatally shoot man during drug raid
Police on Tuesday fatally shot a man during a drug raid at 1322 S. Tyler Street, authorities said. F...
A police officer stands guard near the white house on the corner at 1322 S. Tyler in Little Rock.
LITTLE ROCK — The Little Rock house raided by SWAT officers early Tuesday had been under surveillance for weeks as a suspected drug house, authorities said as they released more details on the fatal shooting that drew anguished family members to the neighborhood where the raid took place.
Police spokesman Lt. Terry Hastings said early Tuesday morning SWAT officers moved into 1322 S. Tyler St. around 6:30 a.m. and were met by a man, standing at the top of a short set of stairs, armed with an AK-47.
The man, Angelo Clark, 31, was shot before he fired any shots, Hastings said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
While inside, police discovered a small growth operation of marijuana, according to the report, complete with plants, scales and other drug paraphernalia. Police and SWAT also found a second AK-47 clip and a .40-caliber Smith and Wesson handgun. Video surveillance equipment was also located that viewed the area where transactions of narcotics were being made.
Police escorted around a dozen people described as family to 13th and Tyler as officers continued processing the scene.
Shortly after 7:30 a.m. they huddled around an officer, and after several minutes of discussion, many of the family members began weeping and started falling to the ground.
"You killed my cousin," one of them screamed through tears.
A woman and child were also in the house when the raid occurred but were not injured.
The child was placed with a family member, while the woman was transported to the police department for questioning.
Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
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Comments on: LR police fatally shoot man during raid
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JIMBOB47 says... January 17, 2012 at 8:03 a.m.
And it goes on and on...
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HawgFan says... January 17, 2012 at 8:17 a.m.
Not a good idea to answer your door armed with an AK-47 when it's the po-po calling.
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NONSHEEPLE says... January 17, 2012 at 8:25 a.m.
I bet those same family members KNEW he was dealing....
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Razorbacosanostra says... January 17, 2012 at 8:31 a.m.
Let's start the blame game. First the second amendment, second the police, third society, yada yada yada. If you are carrying an AK47 your chances of dying, whether by the police or someone else, is exponentially higher than someone who is not carrying said weapon.
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djaye says... January 17, 2012 at 8:35 a.m.
If your cousin didn't want to be killed, he shouldn't have had an AK-47 in his hand. I feel for this family, but if you do things that are against the law, then there are consequences to be paid. Why is it always law enforcement that gets the blame instead of the law breakers?
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BillK52 says... January 17, 2012 at 8:35 a.m.
Of course the family knew and now they will blame the officer. If the officer would have been killed they would have bragged about it. So yes, where does it end. It can only end when we get Crack and Crime off of the streets so the officers MUST do their jobs and they MUST be protected. Theses dopeheads dont care who they kill because they have no basic morals..... Talk to the families about that one, yea, start with the parents.
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debbiel43026 says... January 17, 2012 at 8:37 a.m.
I am glad I don't live in this God forsaken place,people don't want a job if they can deal drugs,rob and steal from businesses and if you don't have something they can steal from you they just shoot you....
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Murphy01 says... January 17, 2012 at 9:10 a.m.
I guess selling crack was his way of doing his "day of service" to honor MLK.
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bunnies says... January 17, 2012 at 9:24 a.m.
"You killed my cousin," one of them screamed through tears.
Your cousin shouldn't have been a drug dealer or answered the door with a AK-47. Both of which make him a bone head with limited free time. Police get a bad rap and sometimes for good reason, but this certainly isn't the officers fault.
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Razorblack says... January 17, 2012 at 9:39 a.m.
Does every story evolving anyone from the African American race in a crime have to bring out the racist to comment? And why the reference to MLK? The racist are just as ignorant as the man with the AK47. I am praying for my hometown and the racist too.
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JennieLou says... January 17, 2012 at 9:59 a.m.
Very sad! Nowhere here do I read anything about prayer for the souls involved in this carnage. It's too late for the dead man, but hope still abounds for his family and loved ones. Let's remember them in our prayers and teach them about God!
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RazorColorBlind says... January 17, 2012 at 10:02 a.m.
"Does every story evolving anyone from the African American race in a crime have to bring out the racist to comment? And why the reference to MLK?"
--as quoted by the guy with the screen name "RazorBlack"
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Murphy01 says... January 17, 2012 at 10:38 a.m.
Why the reference to MLK? Two weeks ago you had black church and "community" leaders calling for an end to black on black violence. Last night there was a meeting between city and black community leaders to discuss way to reduce crime. The reference was made because yesterday was MLK day, the one day that maybe, just maybe, there would be no black on black crime.......................
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debbiel43026 says... January 17, 2012 at 11:06 a.m.
THERE WAS A SHOOTING AFTER THE SO CALLED MLK MARADE ,MARTIN LUTHER KING WAS ALL ABOUT NON VIOLENCE.
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Razorblack says... January 17, 2012 at 11:23 a.m.
Answering to RazorColorBlind: I am a graduate of UofA-Fayetteville and my last name is Black, you nimrod. I'll be sure to pray for you, too. As for Murphy01, I appreciate your explanation (I no longer live in LR, but I read the article from yesterday about the teenage girl being wounded and felt very ashamed for my hometown). But lets not fool ourselves, 365 days a years crime goes on in this country whether it is caught by law enforcement or not. It crossed all social-economic and racial lines. Try and start thinking of solutions instead of the harping on ethnic background of the people involved. MLK day is a federal holiday not a black holiday, I do feel that since MLK did stand for peace all people should honor that concept. But MLK also asking for equality, justice and an end to some of the same kind of backwards thinking that goes on here when their is a news event dealing with African Americans & crime. Believe me this rant is mild compared to the one that I posted to the people in my home (mostly African American based) group on Facebook about the ignorance that going on within the community. I grew up in a community where everyone looked out for one another and we were a village. Again let me reinterate that I am sadden by what's going on in my home community and I am an African American.
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Razorblack says... January 17, 2012 at 11:28 a.m.
Please excuse my typos in the previous post.
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Jason2010 says... January 17, 2012 at 12:07 p.m.
It's sad that anyone lost their life, but I'm happy the Little Rock Police officers were not hurt and am thrilled that they're trying to clean the city up. Keep up the good work.
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onlyGodmatters says... January 17, 2012 at 12:19 p.m.
Wow....Razorblack, I feel your pain and anguish. Every time an article involving African Americans appears in the paper an onslaught of negative and/or racist comments are posted. If we sue someone, we're labeled as greedy. Why? Whose business is it anyway? If it didn't affect you personally, pray for the affected parties and keep your negative comments to yourself. Prayer changes things. Negative comments do nothing more than make bad matters worse, and create more racial animosity.
Note: Ever since the negative comments were made regarding the Ellison family suing the LRPD for killing their father, I have been keeping tabs on the comments that are being posted. An article was posted where an obviously Caucasian person filed a lawsuit. Not a single comment was made. When an article was written that involved white-collar crime. Again, not a single comment was made. If you have a problem with people filing lawsuits and/or committing crimes and feel your comments will help the situation, then comment on every article, not just those involving African Americans.
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MenLR2 says... January 17, 2012 at 12:39 p.m.
Condolences to the family of the man killed. We all have issues in our family and sad that yours is blighted by this one. ....
To LRPD, Kudos for doing the job that is asked of you. .......
......To the officer who had to pull the trigger, Thank You for being able to go home to your family one more day. Thank You for allowing yourself to be put in a position to protect yourself, your fellow officers and the public.
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Razorbacosanostra says... January 17, 2012 at 1:27 p.m.
pdcitizen, was the lawsuit with the "obviously caucasian" person filed against the LRPD because they killed one of their family members? Also if you think people don't comment on white collar crime articles you are way off base.
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NickieD says... January 17, 2012 at 1:35 p.m.
JennieLou: YOU win! The dumbest comment of them all... "...teach them about god!"
Them who? The crack dealers? The police? The idiots who can't tell the difference between criminals and relatives?
Praying for anything, but especially dealing with this kind of shooting, is just plain stupid. What is it you expect your god to do anyway? Raise the dead?
Please tell me, what is it you're praying for?
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Cadron_Boy says... January 17, 2012 at 1:41 p.m.
The real problem is asinine drug laws -- take the profit out of drugs and next thing you know: no more drug dealers. Society is forcing these folks seeking a recreational escape -- these folks can't afford a cruise to the Bahamas -- underground and stigamizing them as criminals. And in this setting they are exposed to even more drugs, more criminals (some of which are violent offenders) and more guns as in this environment weapons are needed to protect themselves. Yes there is no end in sight because an entire business enterprise has been developed -- from police to judges to social workers to -- all of whose salaries and jobs are dependent on continued illegal drug use. We brought this upon ourselves.
Bless all involved -- from the guy carrying a AK47 to the wife and child now left without a hand to hold, to the family, to the police, etc. But d&%^ those that continue to support the policies and politics that have allowed these scenarios to play out over and over again.
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TheBatt says... January 17, 2012 at 1:54 p.m.
Isn't it amazing how upset, distraught, shocked, and even angry family members can be - while it is doubtful they were ignorant of his drug dealing.
And before this is all over, we can rest assured that this will be paraded around as racist and/or injustice. The family has no-one to blame but their family member who was dealing... and themselves. What efforts did they make to intervene before it came to this?
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Ramcharger says... January 17, 2012 at 2:20 p.m.
It is about choices, good or bad.
What our lives are about depend on the choice made.
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onlyGodmatters says... January 17, 2012 at 3:04 p.m.
LaHoggaNostra, what difference does it make as to who is being sued? The fact remains that the commentators, who follow articles in this newspaper, perceive that it is perfectly okay for Caucasians to sue anyone for any reason; yet it's not perceived as okay for African Americans to do the same. The more important question is, "What purpose does the negative comments serve?" My grandmother taught me that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Words we should all live by.
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Razorbacosanostra says... January 17, 2012 at 3:47 p.m.
pd, it's because you are spinning the facts to fit into your agenda but feel free to do as you like.
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letstalk says... January 17, 2012 at 4:20 p.m.
Put legs on your prayers so they will go somewhere, get involved!!
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tomrob says... January 17, 2012 at 4:23 p.m.
you killeed my cousin.....classic, simply classic
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JennieLou says... January 17, 2012 at 4:46 p.m.
NickieD: If you read my message you'd see I suggested prayer for the souls of the family and loved ones involved in this carnage. As for your comments about my God and what He can do...I feel sorry for you that you obviously don't know the God I serve. I'll add you to my prayer list. You see, my God can do anything...ANYthing!
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i_lay_hardwood_yahoo.com says... January 17, 2012 at 5:11 p.m.
Urum, who dhere? The police! Hode on let's me gets my gat. They be done killed our cuzin. It prolly cuz he be black. Wrong it was because he be done made the wrong careers path to buying him some dem 20's urum seeumsayinz playa. The taxpayers of this community are sick of this type of behavior in our black communities. For christ sakes minorities have all the advantage they can have. EOE, affirmative action and so onand on. Get over it people and get a f'in job.
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NickieD says... January 17, 2012 at 7:39 p.m.
JennieLou; gosh, I'm sorry... I didn't know that. Know why?
Cause I have never, ever seen one thing actually attributable to any god at all, yours or anyone elses.
Praying for a soul... that sounds functional... NOT!
You call this "carnage", no matter how you spin this, one idiot got killed for being... well... an idiot. No carnage happened... your command of the English language is as good as your command of reality.
If you add me to your prayer list and your god can do anything, tell him to send me a couple of gold bars will ya? After all, your god can do anything... right?
Oh, oh and while this powerhouse of nothingness is at it, have it tell everyone all over the world just exactly what it would like us to do and how it would like to be served. That would solve problems all over the world, wouldn't it?
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ePHraimAG says... January 17, 2012 at 9:40 p.m.
The Young Man may probably not have used that AK47, and all because Cops and Governors want to be a little richer from what is classed as a soft-drug. The whole scene Of it is sickening. I see that Clinton never got busted for making Money ON Cocaine and He had paid guards too with His Brother taking the Wrap and serving little Of none at Boot-camp. My Condolences to The Family...I am sure The Kid would have dropped The Gun given The chance! Please send those cops to AfGHanistan to swat down on someone elses House, bet they will be running away from Folk who have intent to use weaponry.
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JennieLou says... January 17, 2012 at 10:17 p.m.
Nickie D:
Copied and pasted from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary:
Definition of CARNAGE
1: the flesh of slain animals or men
2: great and usually bloody slaughter or injury (as in battle)
I'm sorry for you that you don't know God but as I said before, I will pray for you. You really Need my God. How did you get to be your age without knowing Him? That must be a miserable life. I'm so glad He's prevalent in my life. He'll do for you if you earnestly pray and ask Him to guide you to Him - then listen and do. This is my last reply back to you. I hope something I've said makes you stop and think about how much you need God. God Bless You.
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jreppoh says... January 17, 2012 at 11:59 p.m.
Why not pick him up as he is coming and going,guess it wouldn't be as exciting! Oh I'm white as if that should matter. Other people in the home were put in danger. I reread this story and and I saw NOTHING about crack nor meth. I cannot believe people are still killed over pot. Pot should be legal the man made stuff not. Most certanly not be killed over it. Hope he didn't think it was a home invasion robbery. Sorry for his family.
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Testingonetwothree says... January 18, 2012 at 3:46 a.m.
Another one bites the dust.....
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Frasier says... January 18, 2012 at 10:01 a.m.
When the SWAT team bashes down the back and front doors and toss in incapicitating explosives nothing good is going to happen by greeting them with a leveled AK-47 assault rifle. The SWAT team did what what circumstances forced them to do. The shooter had a choice and made the choice he did. It is a sad day for the family to be sure but drugs rarely produce a rosey outcome.
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Packman says... January 18, 2012 at 2:18 p.m.
Two to the chest, one to the head. Works every time.
Hey JennieLou - NickieD is the poster child for Godlessness. If you read this forum long enough you will find he has multiple kids, lives off a government check, and can't/won't hold a job. People like NickiD will never understand, because they will not try, that Christians pray for things like strength, forgiveness, comfort, and peace in our hearts and not material things we can acquire of our own good works. Tim Tebow, for example, never prays for his team to win. He prays that he nobody will be injured during the competiton and that he be given the strength to perfrom as is God's will.
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ToGQ4U says... January 18, 2012 at 4:12 p.m.
One less cell mate, shame.
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noneofyourbuisness says... January 18, 2012 at 7:32 p.m.
first of all i wouldnt be supprised if they found a ak47 in the house and said he was pointing it at him cops lie and lie all the time just think who is the court going to trust and they know it too come on all you folks that dont know about weed it is so much safer than beer iv had friends die from beer so instead of risking everyone life how about you surrond the home shut off all power and water i promise they will come out or they will die in there atleast you wont have to lie sorry most cops i know and talk to do what they want and i think this is the case here but there aint know way to ever no
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NickieD says... January 18, 2012 at 8:14 p.m.
JennieLou: I pick #2 as relevant... great and usually bloody slaughter... get it... one guy dying from gross stupidity does not constitute carnage... get real!
As far as your god goes, I have had a great life, free of mumbo jumbo and make believe, and magic garbage. There is nothing, no proof, no fossil, no finger print of your god any place on this planet. What makes America great is, it is OK for you to live in your delusion of ignorance and afterlife, without having to go to school and learn about science or history or archeology or palenotology or astronomy... wonderful! Continue to believe that the Earth is 5,000 years old and that men rode dinosaurs.
This is not my last response to you, I hope I can get you to see the light of reason and logic and I can only hope that you finally see how much of your life you have wasted thus far groveling and mumbling at the sky. May cheese be in every sandwitch.
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