Malheur Situation Continues to be Powder Keg after Death, Arrests

By David Codrea

Ammon Bundy
LaVoy Finicum, left, has been killed. Ammon Bundy, right, has been arrested. But the situation has still not been resolved and may now actually be more dangerous.
AmmoLand Gun News
AmmoLand Gun News

USA –  -(Ammoland.com)-  “It has come to the attention of PPN that many individuals are responding to this news as a ‘Call to Action,’” the Pacific Patriots Network advised followers after the arrest of key Malheur Wildlife Refuge leaders and the shooting death of group spokesman LaVoy Finicum. “[PPN] is issuing an immediate ‘STAND BY’ Order to all those who are mobilizing to the peaceful city of Burns, Oregon.

“We will not pursue any action until all of the facts have been pieced together regarding the traffic stop and the arrest of Ammon Bundy,” the advisory explained. “During this time, cooler heads must prevail. We do not wish to inflame the current situation and will engage in open dialogue until all of the facts have been gathered.”

That’s sound thinking, especially since conflicting accounts of what happened have emerged. One purported eyewitness essentially claims Finicum was executed, while others who say they were present allege he was advancing on authorities. This is where dash-cam videos from the police cars present will be indispensable.

UPDATE: Overhead FBI Drone Footage Released

Regardless, there are deep divisions evident by comments under news accounts, some rejoicing in the law enforcement response and others decrying it as totally unnecessary and heavy-handed. And there is mounting anger which could flare and spread, something this column warned about when the story first broke. The last thing needed now is for loose cannons like the guy claiming to be a retired Green Beret colonel (who says his service record was sealed by Ronald Reagan) to show up, threatening to kill cops arresting him for DUI.

Forward Observer director Sam Culper’s SITREP of the situation on the ground at Malheur was posted on the Oath Keepers website. Of special note:

Blaine Cooper has reportedly assumed leadership at the Refuge and has been told to leave immediately. During a phone call with Pete Santilli, Pete can be overheard saying, “Blaine, please don’t do this.” Blaine is reportedly wanting to make a stand. Women and children are still at the Refuge.

Information since gleaned from other sources indicates the women and children have now removed themselves, leaving a handful of armed occupiers determined not to leave.

A press conference was held today by the FBI, posted on FlashAlert.net.

“Containment road blocks are now in place around the Refuge,” Greg Bretzing, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Portland, announced. “If the people at the refuge want to leave, they can do so through the checkpoints where they will be identified. If they have questions or concerns, they can call the negotiators at the number that has been provided to them.”

Now that “authorities” have drawn first blood under disputed circumstances — with no grievance issues resolved — it’s anyone’s guess what, when and where the next move will be, and importantly, by whom.

David Codrea in his natural habitat.

About David Codrea:

David Codrea is the winner of multiple journalist awards for investigating / defending the RKBA and a long-time gun rights advocate who defiantly challenges the folly of citizen disarmament.

He blogs at “The War on Guns: Notes from the Resistance,” and also posts on Twitter: @dcodrea and Facebook.

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Gerald Brookman

To those who criticize Jamie’s statement: Were YOU there? The death of Finicum is sad, but he brought it on himself. Armed takeover of federal property is wrong, illegal, and STUPID. If you disagree with federal policies, the proper way to dispute them is in court and/or the political system, NOT by an armed occupation of federal property. This is WRONG, whether it’s done by Muslim terrorists, or homegrown “Patriots”.

Dennis

from what I can tell from watching the video those FBI agents and Troopers where cowards. They need to be prosicuted

jim

Dash cams will most probably show very little as the events unfolded off to the side of the road. What may show more evidence are any helmet and body cams the officers wore (If the FBI is forthcoming with ALL of that footage) From my living room, it seems that LE was intent on harm. Let me ask you: If you were standing with your arms out to the side and bullets began to enter your body, would you not grab at your body? Why did LE pour rounds into the vehicle (the windshield can clearly be seen to be… Read more »

Terry H

Yeah, wait until he pulls a gun, kills a couple cops, and then shoot him. Stupid. Don’t obey commands, reach for a gun, get shot. Doesn’t matter, Black or White, it’s been the same for decades. Don’t reach for a gun, follow their instructions, and go home. It’s not rocket science.

freewill

nobody seen a gun, what he was reaching for doesnt matter, nobody seen a gun… he reached twice to his left side and didnt pull a gun ..he was shot from behind, there was at least ten guns trained on him..nobody else that i know of shot, only the guy behind him..he was no threat to the guy behind him

Tommie

All federal agencies are being militarized. What is the agenda here? It can’t just be because of a few terrorist attacks. There is more going on here than that.

Boone

Maybe this whole land grab thing is about paying off the American Governments Debt to foreign governments. I don’ t know the amounts but China, Russia, Great Britain are owed large sums of money that the American government can’t pay back. I just read an article about how Saudi Arabia is taking over vast tracks of land in Arizona and growing feed for Cattle and horses and using our land and water then sending the feed back to there home land, why use up there resources when they can use up ours. I lived in Reno, NV for over 10yrs.… Read more »

Jamie

You do not reach for something with the FBI they don’t fool around.

jamie

La Voy was being stupid. He ran from the police, he tried to run a roadblock. He nearly hit someone. Then instead of staying in his vehicle with his hands in view he got out of his vehicle. They knew he was armed and he reached into his jacket not once but twice before he was shot. You can clearly see in the video the police not raising his weapon until LaVoy reached into his jacket twice for a loaded gun. If you reach for a weapon then they are going to shoot in self defense. Maybe this is what… Read more »

freewill

he didnt get out of the truck armed threatening anyone, he didnt pull out a gun the first time he reached to his left side, the guy in front of him didnt shoot, the guy in back of him shot him in the back..what Levoy was thinking doesnt matter, did you see a gun?…no!!…did you shoot him in the back?..yes because “I thought” he was reaching for a gun, there was at least 10 guns trained on him, and the guy that killed him shot him in the back when nobody seen a gun, people should demand he be prosecuted… Read more »

Jim

He did the right thing other than all out fight and get everyone in the vehicle shot to pieces. He got out and with hands up surrendered-good! Then he got stupid and went into his jacket (twice). What the hell are the LEOs to believe? Wait and see what he pulls out-not likely, so he got shot and killed–what would you do if this were in your house-wait for the trespasser to go into his jacket? Bottom line when it comes to resisting arrest-anywhere. The LEOs must act as if you are trying to kill them-their only choice, so they… Read more »

jim

The autopsy results will be interesting. There was a rifleman in the woods behind Mr. Finicum. The dashboard cams may not provide any evidence as he was well off the road to the side of the vehicle. While I saw the fuzzy helicopter or drone aerial video what occurred still remains unclear. That he tried to run an officer over is unclear as well. It appears more like the officer tried to jump in the way of the truck to attempt a stop. At the final stop, Mr. Finicum emerges with his hands up and does not appear at any… Read more »

shallnotbeinfringed

Jamie you should have quit while you were ahead. Your right. You don’t know what happened.

Shaft

REST-IN-PEACE Brother, prayers sent up for everyone.

5WarVeteran

I tread the comments above and wonder how many opinionated arm chair constitutionalists there really are. I ask everyone to think. I ask you to try to understand what this really is all about. I ask you do do your due diligence and study the US Constitution as well as HISTORY regarding these things. What I see appears to be opinions instead of education. Oregon is also an open-carry state, but cities and counties are free to limit public possession of loaded firearms by individuals who do not have an Oregon Concealed Handgun License. But the state DOES allow localities… Read more »

StBernardnot

You’re “not sure what happened” You should have quit right there. That was you’re only accurate statement.

jamie

I am not sure exactly what happened. But these people were armed extremist. Right to protest does not give you the right to armed occupation of a federally owned building. They should have arrested the lot earlier.

Franco

There are so many things wrong with this take over. Very unorganized and treats of violence was the wrong thing to do. They should have hauled their horses to DC and camped on the front lawn of the whitehouse unarmed. That way they would live to fight another day. Instead they come over like a bunch of redneck thugs and their mission mostly ignored by the media.

Just another American

It’s time to get the militias out there. Thanks for the article.

john smith

https://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/12/24/mystery-solved-the-connection-between-nwo-globalism-and-the-criminal-underworld FDR New Deal policies gave American unions a powerful voice in economic and Social policy, which changed America Society into a right wing socialism. It was when working class people had a strong voice, in government, through their unions. The American unions striked for better wages and benefits, workers had plenty of time off to enjoy family, generally working no holidays or weekends. The individual federal tax base was 91% on the income of high earners and 55% for Corporate tax.  This formula existed until President Johnson, as first agenda after taking office after Kennedy Assassination, pushed legalisation through… Read more »

Wendy Colby

They lied(The FEDS) and said they wouldn’t kill anyone.They lie about everything and now they are going to WACO the rest which is what they wanted all along but didn’t because Pete Santilli was there streaming live and they couldn’t spin the story.Now that they arrested him they are free to slaughter the remnant and create any fiction they choose.I am sorry Ammon had I been an able bodied man you could’ve counted on me.I have NO faith in any of the militia movements any longer absolutely None.They were putting the cases together to return the land to the people… Read more »

rachaek

During difficult times leaders should not travel together; they should also have live streaming video that cannot be blocked. Where were the ham radios? There is a complete main stream news blockage of the entire federal v.s. state issue.
Romeo 05

Jessie

So what is taking so long to publish the TRUTH. The dash cams???

deborah

RIP Cowboy La Voy Finicum. He was a father of 11 children. He took mentality unstable boy’s into his home and raised 50 of them. Prayers for his family and friends. Let this murdered Patriot not be done in vain.