State Park Ranger Involved in Shooting
CSLEA Legal Defense Fund Attorneys Respond to Weekend Call-Out
At approximately 4:20 p.m., I was notified by the answering service of the emergency. I immediately contacted the ranger who had been involved in the shooting who provided me a brief description of the incident and its location.
The ranger indicated that he had responded to shots being fired in the park and came upon a group of approximately 10 - 20 individuals who appeared to have gang affiliation. The ranger parked his vehicle to block the road leading in to where the group was located and exited his vehicle to investigate whether any of the individuals were involved in the shots he had heard.
The group scattered and individuals began jumping into vehicles to escape the law enforcement contact. Some of the suspects drove off road to get around the ranger's vehicle. The ranger was able to get in front of one of the vehicles which was occupied by four subjects. The ranger drew his firearm and ordered the driver of the vehicle to stop. The driver refused and kept advancing on the ranger. After the suspect refused repeated orders and drove the vehicle to the point that it was bumping one of the ranger's legs, the ranger fired a single round striking the suspect in the forehead killing him.
I informed the ranger I would contact a CSLEA Panel Attorney and request that they respond to represent him during the course of the investigation of the shooting. I spoke with an attorney who initially agreed to respond. However, approximately one half hour later the attorney called to notify me that a conflict of interest prevented his firm from providing representation.
I was then able to reach Richard Shinee of Green & Shinee, a law firm which has represented the Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS) for thirty years. Mr. Shinee agreed his firm wold be in a position to represent the ranger.
On Monday, August 6, 2007 I contacted the ranger to check on his welfare. He stated he was doing fine and had been placed on routine administrative leave by his department. The ranger also stated that when Los Angeles County Sheriff's detectives began pressing him on whether an attorney was responding to represent him (due to the delay caused in identifying the legal conflict), when he informed them it was an attorney from Green & Shinee, they immediately backed off in respect of the firm's reputation.
The ranger informed me that he was very impressed with Mitch Kander, the Green & Shinee attorney who responded to represent him. Mr. Kander was present with him during questioning by LA Sheriff's detectives, which lasted until 3:00 a.m. on Sunday morning and again for several hours on Sunday when the ranger was questioned administratively by his department.
On Monday I also spoke with Mr. Kander to get his perspective on the shooting and to thank him for his dedication in providing representation over much of the weekend. Yesterday, I spoke with Mr. Shinee to coordinate representation between his office and the CSLEA Legal Division should there be additional investigation of the shooting.
Although no peace officer anticipates they will ever be involved in a shooting, there is always the potential there will be a need to use lethal force. Based on my conversation with the ranger involved in this incident, he is extremely appreciative in having an attorney experienced in representing officers who have been involved in shootings at his side during the course of this investigation. That is why access to the CSLEA Legal Defense Fund is one of the most important benefits of membership.
CSLEA Legal Defense Fund Attorneys Respond to Weekend Call-Out
Source: Kasey Christopher Clark, General Manager/Chief Counsel
Date: 8/8/2007
At approximately 4:20 p.m., I was notified by the answering service of the emergency. I immediately contacted the ranger who had been involved in the shooting who provided me a brief description of the incident and its location.
The ranger indicated that he had responded to shots being fired in the park and came upon a group of approximately 10 - 20 individuals who appeared to have gang affiliation. The ranger parked his vehicle to block the road leading in to where the group was located and exited his vehicle to investigate whether any of the individuals were involved in the shots he had heard.
The group scattered and individuals began jumping into vehicles to escape the law enforcement contact. Some of the suspects drove off road to get around the ranger's vehicle. The ranger was able to get in front of one of the vehicles which was occupied by four subjects. The ranger drew his firearm and ordered the driver of the vehicle to stop. The driver refused and kept advancing on the ranger. After the suspect refused repeated orders and drove the vehicle to the point that it was bumping one of the ranger's legs, the ranger fired a single round striking the suspect in the forehead killing him.
I informed the ranger I would contact a CSLEA Panel Attorney and request that they respond to represent him during the course of the investigation of the shooting. I spoke with an attorney who initially agreed to respond. However, approximately one half hour later the attorney called to notify me that a conflict of interest prevented his firm from providing representation.
I was then able to reach Richard Shinee of Green & Shinee, a law firm which has represented the Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS) for thirty years. Mr. Shinee agreed his firm wold be in a position to represent the ranger.
On Monday, August 6, 2007 I contacted the ranger to check on his welfare. He stated he was doing fine and had been placed on routine administrative leave by his department. The ranger also stated that when Los Angeles County Sheriff's detectives began pressing him on whether an attorney was responding to represent him (due to the delay caused in identifying the legal conflict), when he informed them it was an attorney from Green & Shinee, they immediately backed off in respect of the firm's reputation.
The ranger informed me that he was very impressed with Mitch Kander, the Green & Shinee attorney who responded to represent him. Mr. Kander was present with him during questioning by LA Sheriff's detectives, which lasted until 3:00 a.m. on Sunday morning and again for several hours on Sunday when the ranger was questioned administratively by his department.
On Monday I also spoke with Mr. Kander to get his perspective on the shooting and to thank him for his dedication in providing representation over much of the weekend. Yesterday, I spoke with Mr. Shinee to coordinate representation between his office and the CSLEA Legal Division should there be additional investigation of the shooting.
Although no peace officer anticipates they will ever be involved in a shooting, there is always the potential there will be a need to use lethal force. Based on my conversation with the ranger involved in this incident, he is extremely appreciative in having an attorney experienced in representing officers who have been involved in shootings at his side during the course of this investigation. That is why access to the CSLEA Legal Defense Fund is one of the most important benefits of membership.
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