Police Swarm Subway After Protests Over Shooting Turn Violent (VIDEO)

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO OF PROTESTS

OAKLAND, Calif. — Heavy police presence greeted Bay Area Rapid Transit commuters Thursday, a day after more than 100 people were arrested in violent protests over the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man by a transit police officer. At least three cars were set on fire, store windows were smashed and a police cruiser was vandalized in what started as a peaceful demonstration Wednesday over the Jan. 1 shooting of Oscar Grant. Police in riot gear threw tear gas to try to break up the demonstration.

"The crowd started to become more agitated, more hostile, started throwing stuff at the police," said Oakland Police spokesman Jeff Thomason. He said charges against those arrested include inciting a riot, assault on a police officer, vandalism, rioting and unlawful assembly.

Extra police were deployed to East Bay stations on Thursday. Officers patrolled BART headquarters to ensure calm during the agency's morning meeting, where many African-American community leaders expressed outrage over the killing of Grant.

An officer identified as Johannes Mehserle shot the 22-year-old on a BART station platform after responding to reports of men fighting on a train. Officers had pulled Grant and a few other men out of the train. The victim was lying face down on the platform when he was shot.

The shooting and events leading up to it were captured on amateur videos that have been broadcast on television.

Mehserle resigned from the transit agency shortly before he was supposed to be interviewed by investigators Wednesday. Mehserle's attorney did not respond to calls for comment.

Story continues below

Some experts who viewed the video clips speculated that Mehserle fired his gun because he believed Grant had a deadly weapon, while others think the officer had mistakenly his handgun for a stun gun.

"If he was under stress he would not be able to distinguish between a Taser and his firearm," said Bruce Siddle, founder of PPCT Management Systems, an Illinois company that trains law-enforcement officers in use-of-force.

BART police and the district attorney are investigating the shooting, and Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums asked city police to investigate as well.

Grant's family has filed a $25 million wrongful death claim against BART and want prosecutors to file criminal charges against Mehserle.

"There were racial slurs directed at the young men," family attorney John Burris said Thursday. "But I have no evidence that this particular officer (Mehserle) directed racial slurs towards Oscar Grant."

Police have not classified the confrontation as a hate crime.

During the protest, some people threw bottles; a window of a fast-food restaurant and other downtown stores were smashed. No injuries were reported.

"We gave a dispersal order four to five times over a 20-minute period, then we had our officers go in and start making arrests," said Thomason, the police spokesman.

Dellums went to the protest scene Wednesday night to call for calm. He then led a group toward City Hall and spoke with them.

"Even with our anger and our pain, let's still address each other with a degree of civility and calmness and not make this tragedy an excuse to engage in violence," said Dellums, who is black. "I don't want anybody hurt, I don't want anybody killed."

Comments

[Kassandra]

One wonders if the "private security force" employed by BART is Blackwater?

[bobdevo]

If the BART cops are too goddam stupid to tell a Taser from a Glock . . . then maybe they shouldn't be carrying EITHER.

[baptox]

In a chaotic situation, as this was, excess adrenaline and the fight or flight response kicks in, often resulting in human error. Even with the best-trained and most experienced., mistakes are easily made.

Perhaps tazers shouldn't be designed to look and "feel" like guns. Nor should they be holstered near and gun, to prevent mix-ups.

I'm of the opinion that tazers shouldn't be used at all. They make it too easy to use excessive force and they can be as deadly as a gun.

[DofG]

From personal experiences, it is always a potentially dangerous situation when being confronted by a policeman. One reason for this is that I don't think that most policemen are adequately trained to overcome the fear, and stress that comes from those situation. I also think that police cadets' motivations for getting license to kill are not adequately vetted. And most of all, when these tragedies occur, the policeman is initially insulated by being given the benefit of a doubt, especially by other policemen, for they see themselves as a "fraternity" at taxpayer's expense!

Note that some apologists, namely policemen, speculated that the officer probably thought he was grabbing his "taser", instead of his gun. And granted, we don't know what was in his mind. But it seems strange that he would actually take the time to "stand up", and upon rising grab his weapon, and fire if thought he was using a Taser, or in danger! Who would waste the time to stand up?! maybe a person who knew that the suspect could not get up? Does not this show a lack of training, and a danger to himself, if an officer doesn't know the difference between his Taser, and his "phaser"?!

[Jtt]

How is the Taser defense an apology?

Tasers are d_eadly w_eapons, just cause they dont leave a mark most of the time they are used constantly now.

Its not acceptable to be constantly tasing people. Especially when they are down. THATS THE FRIGGEN POINT.

[baptox]

I agree. We need to do away with tasers.
The BART cop graduated from a highly acclaimed police academy at Napa Valley College in Napa, CA. He is described by all who know him as being a very easy-going, nice guy and atypical for a cop in terms of personality. My guess is that he thought he was reaching for his taser and fired his gun instead. He is said to be devastated by this. It sounds like a tragic mistake.

[kevinabt]

If I ever draw my gun and kill someone I'll be sure to use that excuse. Really your honor... I thought I was pulling out my camera to take a photo... I was so stressed and poorly trained it really isn't MY fault.

[edgemo]

But...but.... two Americans were detained in Cuba for not having proper travel documents.

[Smurfaveli]

As a victim of police brutality (choked while in handcuffs and head smashed into the hood of a cruiser), I can somewhat empathize with this situation. It doesn't take much for some cops to go off the deep end. Some people simply should not own a badge. Maybe there should be quarterly psych evals?

I feel for the victim, his child and the rest of his family. There are too many instances of young black men being shot down in the streets like animals. While I don't condone the rioting, I understand.

[Jtt]

Heres the problem, Its cartoonish to think this cop would purposefully s_hoot someone in the back in front of another cop and everyone and their cameras just out of spite.

Thats ridiculous. That is not how h crime is committed.

[Eyewideopen]

It's cartoonish and buffoonish not to believe your own eyes.

[kevinabt]

Many crimes are committed without much forthought or rational thought.

[augusteighteenth]

Finally the huffpo is posting this! This story makes me livid and i think the rioting should continue.....constitution says..if the govt isnt doing its job...revolt till they do..its the only way itll stop. No riots yet and it still goes on...NY, Los Angeles, Louisana, and EVERY DAY in OAKLAND...only reason this story gets msm love is cause of the rioting. Viva La Revolution!

[jsomerville5]

There's no need for riots. They never solve anything. Oakland is in terrible shape. The crime rate is a disasters, as is its no-show, do nothing mayor Dellums.

[sf girl]

No, rioting should not continue. It doesn't solve anything and only creates more issues (in this case in an already depressed city) and hurts more innocent people. Peaceful protest is the way to go and/or boycotts of BART.

[RightwingisFascism]

I live in Oakland, bart cops have no business carrying guns. They are glorified security guards and nothing more. They have no training what so ever, and are a private sector run by bart not the police. I know that small businesses were vandalized, but sometimes you have to smash things to be heard.

[augusteighteenth]

"sometimes you have to smash things to be heard."

amen to that

[CC1]

yeah, torching cars of innocent people who had nothing to do with the shooting and vandalizing businesses that had nothing to do with that shooting is so necessary. They should take out their justified anger on the police station/precinct

[Jtt]

They could at least make some attempt to understand what happened first.

Just because a white person was behind the trigger and rioting without consideration implies that all White_s are racist. A bigoted opinion in itself.

This diminishes consideration of real cases of brutality.

[EZD]

It is not thought that all white people are racist, but if you don't get the attention of white people nothing will change...case in point MSM until people started tearing up S..t it was just another dead young black man.

[MoeB]

Jtt,

The implications here aren't that whites are "racist". The implication here is that these types of situations frequently happen to blacks...and more importantly, no one cares because the assumption is always that the black person deserved it.

And for the record, the rioting didn't start January 2nd. People DID try and understand. No one has given them any sort of explanation for what has occurred. But there is video...which, sadly, may be Oscar's family's only avenue for justice here. Had this not been on video, the beforementioned generalizations would be occurring right now.

And if rioting makes you feel less considerate when people are shot and killed, then you need to expand your considerations. People don't riot for no reason. Someone was unjustly killed (see murdered) and their community is being given no explanation for what has occurred. I personally feel riots are counterproductive, but I understand the hurt and anger behind it.

[jsomerville5]

Cops need guns because as you know, the crime rate in Oakland is horrendous and all the criminals have guns.

[blimie]

After a policeman mindlessly kills someone, they always come up with the most ridiculus excuses.
The media should quit using the phrase "some experts think" Everyone knows reporters used this trick heavily during the Bush presidency, especially FOX news. They need to give the name and the credentials of "experts" who are excusing this shooting.

[triplbee]

I saw the video of this shooting. It was flat out, unpremeditated murder. The victim had been holding up his hands just before two officers forced him to lie face down. It looked to me as if he was handcuffed or at the very least as if the officers were holding his arms. He wasn't putting up any resistance whatsoever. The officer who shot calmly pulled out his pistol and shot him in the back as he was laying down. It was unbelievable. He needs to stand trial for murder.

[CC1]

Yes, he does need to go to trial for either capital or first-degree murder. A handcuffed suspect lying on the ground poses no threat. I totally agree with you.

[vincefango]

Can't tell a taser gun from a 9mm pistol because he was under stress? Yeah right.

[Justeesh]

I find it hard to believe, too, though I've never held a taser and don't know how close it is, in weight or shape, to a 9mm handgun. If they truly are similar, the taser should be redesigned. That kind of accident should not happen, and good design would prevent it.

[Yves Papa]

Please, stop floating that taser BS around.

A taser weights about 1/2 pound, and a handgun weights about 2 pounds. You have to turn the taser on before shooting it. This cop pulled his piece out of its holster and shot, John Wayne style. He was shooting a real bullet and he knew that.

[JackiChan]

From what I've seen, officers will keep a taser on the other side of their body in almost a cross draw fashion. I believe this is so mix up's don't happen. Perhaps he meant to simply pull the firearm out and accidentally cranked off a round? Perhaps he simply panicked... It probably doesn't really matter at this point being someone is dead.

[augusteighteenth]

taser is plastic with a diff shape and texture...gun is heavy and metal with a long handle and more texture..there is no way you can mix them up..ever

[newpotusplease]

Oakland citizens have to pay for Oakland police to patrol

because people from outside of Oakland want to "protest" by rioting,

burning parked privately owned cars, smash the windows on black owned businesses, harass people walking walking down the street-- that is not protest that is just being a thug

money that would go to Oakland services now has to go to Oakland police expenses for a protest
that is really directed at the bad actions of Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Police--

BART is comprised of Alameda, Contra Costa and San Francisco Counties -- not Oakland solely.

The victim was from Hayward -- but they did not protest there...

They are taking advantage of Oakland and the peaceful way that the city attempts to deal with this nonsense.

I still want to know what made the BART police come out and arrest on the New Years Eve train-- the BART police usually are responding to someone calling for help- what was going on?

and where did all the homeland security money go? all the cameras on the trains and platforms that were installed did NOT capture any images, instead passengers cell phones capture the images...
where did the Homeland Security $$$$ go?

It is sad because the victims family is already counting the money and the life was lost for nonsense
and now the protests are directed at Oakland --yet it was the Bay Area -- not Oakland!

[Twinkie]

People rarely do their best thinking from the inside of a mob

[augusteighteenth]

there is never an excuse to shoot an unarmed man who surrenders...gets pushed to the ground and handcuffed...no reason what so ever...

there was a fight on the train..cops came out..talked to this guy and his friends..he put his hands up to surrender and they snatched him..threw him on the grd and cuffed him...then one cop got up while the other kneeled on his neck..and shot him....turned him over...and let him bleed out while they loooked for casings

its on youtube...go look for yourself

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQxBg5Jxp7c

[GreatFutureForAll]

You are right.

What blows me away is how casual the police seem to be acting AFTER the shot was fired.

There is no urgency. They seem to be standing around as if the victim was just smacked in the face....then they TURN HIM OVER AFTER HE WAS SHOT....THIS IS INCREDIBLE.

If the investigation into what happened does not yield results, it may be time for Attorney General Eric Holder to appoint someone to look into this because the Bay Area economy is fragile enough as it is.

If people have little faith in local law enforcement (particularly in a place like the Bay Area, which has a long history of protest and even anarchy), it will only make a sagging economy that much worse!

The people of the East Bay need to feel confident in their government. Right now, they do not!

[Twinkie]

There are people on youtube saying that this wouldn't have happened if California didn't have such tight gun control laws. Americans are funny

[vbrans]

More right-wing drivel.

[Hopalongpoppyseed]

California gun control laws never had any cred in Oakland.

[Yves Papa]

Gun control laws are bunk. Look, even cops are unable to control guns.

[lighthorseharry]

The editorial policy of the Huffington Post on management of posts by readers is very much like China.

[vbrans]

Your right.Just type AIPAC and see what happens!?!

[rektruax]

Your right what?

[Jamal5]

The guy diserves life in prison no way he mixed his gun and taser. But the idiot out there need to settle down the only ones they are going to hurt is themselves.

[DoctorWhoDat]

Oakland, The Camden NJ of the West Coast

[newpotusplease]

not quite-- but please do stay away from Oakland!

[triplbee]

I lived in Oakland for 11 years. It's a wonderful town.

[lgg]

i love oakland, have friends and family that have lived there for years, i've gone dancing in downtown at night and then out for chinese till 3am many times with NO problems. I have had my car broken into across the bay in SF though, in a nice neighborhood.

but the cops, scare me. i don't even look at the police, they're itchy over there, i don't think they hire locals. if they did, this kind of stuff wouldn't hapen with the frequency that it does.

a bunch of Black/Latino guys on a train, no big deal, a bunch of cops standing in a group, or even just one eyeballing you from their car, scary.

[augusteighteenth]

Oakland has a lot of culture...good city..but bad police. When I lived there ...a story was on the news every night about cops harassing civilians.

[GreatFutureForAll]

Oakland had ZERO to do with this incident.

The train stopped in Oakland. The victim is from suburban Hayward, California.

The police acted like the Hells Angels, as members have been in Oakland since forever. But, this was a Bay Area death as BART police and the victim represent the entire area. Had the train stopped in Sunnyvale, the shooting would have occurred just the same.

Or, maybe, the police thought as you do and said to themselves: "This is Oakland. We need to shoot somebody!!!"

Inadvertently, you might actually be on to something!