LaVoy Finicum

Robert LaVoy Finicum

Born (1961-01-27)January 27, 1961
Kanab, Utah,[1] United States
Died January 26, 2016(2016-01-26) (aged 54)
Harney County, Oregon, United States
Cause of death Gunshot wounds
Occupation Activist, cattle rancher
Religion Mormon
Spouse(s) Jeanette Finicum[2]
Children 11[3]

Robert LaVoy Finicum (January 27, 1961 – January 26, 2016)[4] was an American militant, author, and cattle rancher involved in the 2014 Bundy standoff and the 2016 occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. He was shot and killed while attempting to evade a roadblock while traveling outside of the refuge.

Background

Finicum operated a cattle ranch and foster home in Arizona.[5] He filed for bankruptcy in 2002.[6]

The Finicums were foster parents to numerous children, who were all removed from their care due to his involvement in the standoff. Finicum stated that this took away his and his wife's main source of income. That represented an enormous loss of income for the Finicums. According to a 2010 tax filing, Catholic Charities Community Services in Arizona paid the family US$115,343 to foster children in 2009.[7]

About a year after joining the Bundy standoff, Finicum ceased complying with the terms of his grazing agreement with the BLM. He would eventually accrue more than $12,000 in fees and fines.[8]

2016 militant occupation

Finicum speaking on January 22, 2016

Finicum was a frequently interviewed personality during the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge by the newly-formed Citizens for Constitutional Freedom group, informally acting as one of their spokesmen and leading a tour of the refuge.[6] He was dubbed "Tarp Man" by MSNBC for sitting outside at night in a rocking chair, covered completely in a blue tarp and holding a rifle concealed underneath.[9]

When asked if he would rather be killed than arrested if the occupation turned violent, Finicum replied, "Absolutely ... I have no intention of spending any of my days in a concrete box."[10]

Death during occupation

One-minute excerpt from 26-minute FBI aerial footage of Finicum's death.[11]

On January 26, Finicum was driving a white 2015 Dodge Ram pickup truck,[12][13] one of two vehicles containing several militants who were all headed for nearby Grant County, Oregon; Ryan Payne, a main leader of the occupation, was scheduled to speak at a public meeting there.[14][15][16] Both vehicles encountered a traffic stop set up by state and federal authorities on a stretch of U.S. Route 395, situated away from populated areas.[17]

At the traffic stop, the second car stopped, and its occupants of one of the cars surrendered peacefully and were taken into custody. Finicum kept driving the pickup truck, but eventually stopped as well. The police launched a round of 40mm foam-nosed pepper spray at the vehicle.[18] One of Finicum's passengers surrendered peacefully and was arrested. Two other passengers recorded cellphone video of Finicum shouting to police that he will ignore their orders and drive away, and also taunting them and suggesting that they should shoot and kill him. Eventually, after sitting still for almost seven minutes, Finicum drove away at high speed.[13][19][20][21][22] The vehicle was subsequently pursued by officers and eventually encountered a roadblock about 1 mile (1,609 m) later. During an attempt to bypass the roadblock, the truck became embedded in a roadside snowbank.[23] Two Oregon State Police (OSP) officers and four agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were posted at the roadblock, with one of the FBI agents nearly being run over by Finicum's truck.[12]

Finicum immediately walked away from his truck and briefly held his hands above his head. OSP officers and FBI agents armed with rifles positioned themselves to his left, while an OSP officer equipped with a Taser X2 walked toward him from his right. As the officer with the Taser attempted to move within 15 feet (5 m) to make the most effective use of the Taser, Finicum turned his body to the left, holding his jacket with his left hand and reaching for a pocket with his right hand. He was then shot three times in the back by two OSP officers.[18][24] Medical assistance was given to Finicum approximately 10 minutes after the shooting.[25]

OSP officers fired three shots into Finicum's truck as it approached the roadblock, and fired three shots into Finicum.[26] While Finicum was leaving his truck, an FBI Hostage Rescue Team operator fired two shots, one of which entered the truck and rebounded, inflicting a minor shrapnel wound on one of the passengers.[27]

Investigation

After Finicum's death, officials stated that he was reaching for a gun in his pocket when he was shot by a state trooper.[17] The FBI also said that a loaded handgun was found in Finicum's pocket.[28] It was later identified as a 9mm Ruger SR9 handgun.[29] Finicum received the handgun as a gift from his stepson.[29][30] His public autopsy was performed on January 28, but officials withheld the autopsy report from the press until March 8.[31][32]

Investigators with the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, assigned to process the scene of Finicum's shooting, were accounting for the two known sets of shots fired by the OSP officers during the event (the shots that killed Finicum, and the earlier shots that struck his vehicle) when they discovered a bullet that struck the roof of the truck at a different trajectory. After ascertaining the bullet's existence with cell phone video taken by one of Finicum's passengers, investigators modeled the bullet's trajectory using computers, and determined that the bullet was fired from the direction where two FBI agents were standing. They later determined that a FBI Hostage Rescue Team member fired twice at Finicum, missing and injuring a second militant in the process. The agent, whose identity was withheld, was under investigation, along with four other FBI agents who were suspected of attempting to conceal evidence of the gunshots. They reportedly told investigators that none of them fired a shot during the incident.[33][34]

During initial processing of the scene, the rifle cartridge casings purportedly fired by the FBI agent were reported not present. However, an OSP officer later described seeing two casings at the scene near where the FBI agents were positioned. FBI aerial surveillance video shows agents searching the area, then huddling together before breaking up moments later, with one agent bending over twice to pick up an unknown object. Law enforcement officials began the investigation into the gunshots after watching the full surveillance video and suspecting something was amiss. Two FBI pickup trucks were searched for casings, but none were found, while at least three OSP officers were interrogated about their initial processing of the scene.[12]

On March 8, officials revealed their findings to the public.[27] The U.S. Department of Justice launched an investigation into the conduct of the agents.[33] Deschutes County Sheriff's Office investigators, along with the district attorneys of Malheur and Harney Counties, declared that Finicum's shooting death was "justified and necessary".[35]

On April 5, cellphone video footage shot by another of Finicum's passengers was released by authorities.[35]

Reactions

Prior to the video of the action being released, some of the militants and supporters had claimed that Finicum was cooperating with the police when he was shot. This included a claim by Nevada legislator Michele Fiore (who was not present at the arrest) that "he was just murdered with his hands up."[36] Cliven Bundy was quoted as saying that Finicum was "sacrificed for a good purpose".[37] In a March 3 interview in prison, Ammon Bundy called the shooting "egregious" and said that the officers involved "should be ashamed of it".[38]

At a news conference, officials had initially declined to comment on the Finicum shooting because the encounter was still under investigation,[39] but they later released surveillance video of the incident, which officials said shows Finicum reaching for a handgun after feigning surrender.[40][41] However, Finicum's family continued to dispute the nature of the shooting, claiming that he was shot in the back while his hands were in the air, and denied the FBI's assertion that Finicum was armed at the time of his death.[42] The Finicum family commissioned a private autopsy, but declined to make the results public.[43]

The Oregon State Police received death threats.[44] On February 6, more than 1,000 supporters attended the funeral of Robert "LaVoy" Finicum in Kanab, Utah, while others rebuilt a razed memorial on U.S. Route 395.[45] About another 100 people led by the 3 Percenters rallied at the Idaho State Capitol in the afternoon in honor of Finicum, who they believed was unarmed at the time of his death.[46] On March 4, a small group of about a dozen armed protesters surrounded a federal courthouse in Tucson, demanding the state troopers who shot Finicum to be indicted and fired; Finicum was from Arizona.[47] Another rally, led by Finicum's wife Jeanette, was held at the Utah State Capitol on March 5. 200–300 people were in attendance.[2] Yet another rally was held in Portland, Oregon that same day.[48]

Personal life

Finicum had a wife, Jeanette, and a total of eleven children.[2][3]

Works

Finicum published a single novel, Only by Blood and Suffering: Regaining Lost Freedom, in 2015.[49]

References

  1. ↑ "LaVoy Finicum Obituary". Legacy. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Maffly, Brian (March 5, 2016). "LaVoy Finicum’s widow tells Utah rally her husband was murdered during Oregon standoff". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  3. 1 2 Yan, Holly; Kravarik, Jason (January 27, 2016). "LaVoy Finicum: Father of 11 who was killed in Oregon said he was willing to die". CNN. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Robert Lavoy Finicum". Find a Grave. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  5. ↑ Anglen, Robert (March 7, 2008). "State, families at odds over mental care for foster kids". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  6. 1 2 Brosseau, Carli (January 26, 2016). "Robert 'LaVoy' Finicum, killed in Oregon shooting, was Arizona foster parent and rancher". The Oregonian. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  7. ↑ Sepulvado, John; Templeton, Amelia (January 26, 2016). "Militant Says Foster Children Were Pulled From His Home". Portland, OR: Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  8. ↑ Taylor, Phil (February 5, 2016). "Why LaVoy Finicum spurned the government". E&E Publishing. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  9. ↑ O'Donnell, Lawrence (January 7, 2016). "#Tarpman makes his 'Late Night' debut". The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell. MSNBC. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  10. ↑ Dokoupil, Tony (January 6, 2016). "Oregon Occupier LaVoy Finicum Warns FBI He'd Take Death Over Jail". NBC News (New York: NBC). Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Complete, Unedited Video of Joint FBI and OSP Operation 01/26/2016" on YouTube
  12. 1 2 3 Zaitz, Les (March 18, 2016). "Bullet casings disappear from LaVoy Finicum shooting scene, sources say". The Oregonian/OregonLive.com (Advance Publications). ISSN 8750-1317. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  13. 1 2 Gunderson, Laura (March 8, 2016). "LaVoy Finicum shooting: What happened when". The Oregonian/OregonLive.com (Advance Publications). ISSN 8750-1317. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  14. ↑ Terry, Lynne (January 27, 2016). "Inside the John Day meeting where Oregon standoff leaders were headed before arrest". The Oregonian/OregonLive.com (Advance Publications). ISSN 8750-1317. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  15. ↑ Hart, Sean (January 25, 2016). "Refuge occupier expected to speak at John Day meeting Tuesday". Blue Mountain Eagle (John Day, OR). Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  16. ↑ Zaitz, Les (February 22, 2016). "Oregon standoff: Grant County sheriff urges release of Hammonds". The Oregonian/OregonLive.com (Advance Publications). ISSN 8750-1317. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  17. 1 2 Perez, Evan (January 28, 2016). "Oregon occupiers: What officials say happened at traffic stop". CNN (Atlanta, GA: Turner Broadcasting System). Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  18. 1 2 Zaitz, Les (March 8, 2016). "LaVoy Finicum shot 3 times as he reached for gun, investigators say". Oregon Live. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  19. ↑ Zaitz, Les (March 8, 2016). "FBI agents under investigation for possible misconduct in LaVoy Finicum shooting". Oregon Live. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  20. ↑ "FBI footage shows LaVoy Finicum reaching for waistband". Portland, OR: KOIN. January 29, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Ryan Bundy's cell phone video of moments before and after Finicum shooting released". KATU. April 5, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  22. ↑ Rollins, Michael (April 6, 2016). "New video of Lavoy Finicum stop released". KGW. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  23. ↑ "What we know about the Malheur Wildlife Refuge arrests". Portland, OR: KATU. Associated Press. January 27, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Chaotic scene of LaVoy Finicum shooting, explained (graphic animation)". The Oregonian/OregonLive.com (Advance Publications). March 23, 2016. ISSN 8750-1317. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  25. ↑ Mimica, Mila (January 28, 2016). "FBI: Finicum nearly struck agent, reached for loaded weapon before he was shot and killed". Portland, OR: KATU. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Sheriff: FBI agents didn't tell investigators about 2 shots fired at Finicum's truck". Eugene, OR: KVAL-TV. March 8, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  27. 1 2 Zaitz, Les (March 8, 2016). "What LaVoy Finicum shooting investigation found". The Oregonian/OregonLive.com (Advance Publications). ISSN 8750-1317. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  28. ↑ Petty, Terrence; DuBois, Steven (January 29, 2016). "Prosecutors use refuge occupiers' own words against them". The Seattle Times (Seattle, WA: The Seattle Times Company). Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  29. 1 2 "Tri-County Major Incident Team Released Reports (Redacted), Officer Involved Shooting (2) January 26, 2016 — Robert "LaVoy" Finicum" (PDF). Deschutes County Sheriff's Office. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Newly released documents show Finicum’s 9-mm was a gift from stepson". Blue Mountain Eagle (John Day, OR). March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  31. ↑ Njus, Elliot (March 8, 2016). "LaVoy Finicum's widow disputes police findings, says husband's shooting was 'assassination'". The Oregonian/OregonLive.com (Advance Publications). ISSN 8750-1317. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Finicum autopsy report" (PDF). Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  33. 1 2 Zaitz, Les. "Mystery shots fired at LaVoy Finicum: 7 key questions and answers (video)". The Oregonian/OregonLive.com (Advance Publications). ISSN 8750-1317. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  34. ↑ Zaitz, Les (March 10, 2016). "Bullet hole on LaVoy Finicum's truck traced to elite FBI team". The Oregonian/OregonLive.com (Advance Publications). ISSN 8750-1317. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  35. 1 2 Peacher, Amanda (April 5, 2016). "Finicum Shooting Investigators Release Bundy Cellphone Video". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  36. ↑ Miller, Michael E. (January 27, 2016). "LaVoy Finicum, Ore. occupier who said he'd rather die than go to jail, did just that". The Washington Post (Arlington, VA: Nash Holdings LLC). ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  37. ↑ Farrell, Paul (January 28, 2016). "LaVoy Finicum Dead: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. New York: Heavy Inc. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
  38. ↑ Bernstein, Maxine (March 3, 2016). "Ammon Bundy says jail 'most difficult thing I've ever done'". Oregon Live. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  39. ↑ Turkewitz, Julie; Seminara, Dave; Johnson, Kirk (January 27, 2016). "3 More Arrests in Oregon as Protest Leader Says 'Go Home'". The New York Times (New York: The New York Times Company). ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 28, 2016. "A version of this article appears in print on January 28, 2016, on page A1 of the New York edition with the headline: Jailed Oregon Protest Leader Urges Followers: ‘Please Go Home’."
  40. ↑ Pierce, Matt (January 28, 2016). "FBI releases video of Oregon occupier's fatal shooting by state police". Los Angeles Times (Chicago, IL: Tribune Publishing). ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  41. ↑ Kaplan, Sarah (January 28, 2016). "FBI releases video, explains how police fatally shot Oregon refuge occupier". The Washington Post (Arlington, VA: Nash Holdings LLC). ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  42. ↑ Henderson, Peter (January 29, 2016). "Family of slain Oregon protester challenges FBI account of his death". Yahoo! News (Sunnyvale, CA: Yahoo!). Reuters. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  43. ↑ Gunderson, Laura (February 6, 2016). "LaVoy Finicum shooting: What happened when". The Oregonian/OregonLive.com (Advance Publications). ISSN 8750-1317. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  44. ↑ Park, Eileen (February 16, 2016). "OSP gets threats after LaVoy Finicum's death". Portland, OR: KOIN. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  45. ↑ Richardson, Valerie (February 7, 2016). "Standoff at Oregon’s Malheur refuge may hurt cause of public lands protesters". The Washington Times (New York: Operations Holdings). Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  46. ↑ Fenner, Erin (February 6, 2016). "About 100 rally at Idaho Statehouse to remember Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupier". Idaho Statesman (Sacramento, CA: The McClatchy Company). Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  47. ↑ Anglen, Robert (March 4, 2016). "Armed protesters outside Tucson court demand justice in LaVoy Finicum's death in Oregon standoff". Arizona Central. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  48. ↑ Zarkhin, Fedor (March 5, 2016). "More than 100 people gather in Portland in memory of LaVoy Finicum". Oregon Live. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  49. ↑ Finicum, LaVoy (July 4, 2015). Only By Blood and Suffering. Digital Legend. ISBN 978-1937735944. Retrieved March 6, 2016.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, April 27, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.