A man from Los Angeles in an online gaming dispute calls police in Wichita, Kansas and says there is a hostage situation. But the man in L.A. gives the wrong address. When the man answers the door he is shot dead by the SWAT team. Andrew Finch was 28 years old.
According to Troy Livingston, the Deputy Chief of the Wichita Police Department, "Due to the actions of a prankster we have an innocent victim."
No, we have an innocent victim because of the actions of one of your police officers.
Don't get me wrong. I have no sympathy for Tyler Barriss who made the hoax call and his since been arrested for his involvement in the incident. I am also well aware that when the police receive such a call that they must take it seriously. But this outcome is entirely the responsibility of the Wichita Police. When Livingston makes such a statement he is telling us the if the SWAT team comes to your home you can expect to die. In which case, none of us are safe. The police are supposed to uphold the law and prevent the loss of life. The Wichita Police did neither in this case.
The officer responsible has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation. It wouldn't surprise if this officer isn't charged with Finch's death. If he is then I would expect him to be acquitted much like the officer in Arizona who was acquitted earlier this month for the 2016 shooting death of Daniel Shaver outside of his hotel room. Police had received a call from other hotel guests who alleged they saw a shadow of a gun in Shaver's room. As it turned out, Shaver was a bug exterminator and was showing a couple of his friends the pellet gun he used on the job. And for this he is dead.
In all likelihood, the best the Finch family can hope is to file a lawsuit against the city and obtain a seven figure settlement. Even if his family is provided for they cannot bring him back to life. Unless states see fit to change their laws with respect to the use of deadly force by law enforcement then the police effectively have a licence to kill in this country.
The police cannot protect and serve if the people believe they need protection from them. I have a bad feeling there will be a lot more Daniel Shavers and Andrew Finches before anyone steps up and does the right thing.
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