16 March 2014

Wanted Cop Shooter, Public Enemy Number 1 Captured

Story below is an early draft version that will be updated as more information becomes available. Be sure to check back later for additional background, context, and unique analysis.

As Case Rapidly Unfolded, Questions Arose Amid Conflicting Information

UPDATE: While this report was being prepared, WJZ reported Gregg Thomas turned himself in. But not before apparently granting an "exclusive" interview.


CAPTURED: Wanted fugitive, Gregg Thomas, the subject of a city-wide manhunt, wanted for 

allegedly shooting off duty Baltimore Police Officer Sgt. Keith McNeill,turned himself in to

 police and was arrested without incident Sunday evening.  Photo by Rochelle Ritchie/WJZ

Agitator-In-Chief
@BaltoSpectator

A newly promoted Sgt. Keith McNeill 
pictured with his mother, during 
promotions ceremony.
Sunday night Baltimore Police ended a massive manhunt in connection with the severe shooting of off-duty Sgt. Keith Mcneill, when the wanted suspect turned himself in.

According to Police Commissioner Anthony Batts, McNeill was shot early Friday night while sitting in his personal vehicle on the 1900 block of Belair Rd.

Referring to incident as a "cowardly act of violence," in a briefing Saturday night, the Commissioner vowed to use every means available to track down whoever was responsible for the attack. McNeill was described as "taking care of basic, domestic personal business," according to Batts. He declined to elaborate further.


Suspect Named


During the briefing, police said they were seeking Gregg Thomas, aged 34, as a person of interest in the shooting. A flyer released said he was "wanted for questioning only." Within a couple hours, Baltimore Police tweeted an update stating Thomas was now a "suspect" in the shooting and there was a warrant for his arrest.

No specifics were given on the exact charge(s) on the warrant, nor what transpired to change Thomas' status from "person of interest" to "wanted suspect" inside a couple of hours.

Baltimore Police have not revealed what led to such quick determination and identification of Thomas as a suspect.


BOLO = Be On the Look Out. For what?
Typically descriptions of the wanted suspect and
information on the crime committed are 

considered crucial on an intelligence bulletin. 
Particularly one handed out to the general public.
Adding to confusion was a flyer (pictured) handed out by police officers to cars at the intersection of E. North and Belair Rd., in the area where the shooting took place. 

Although at the time, the suspect was already named, and his picture had been released, a vague, lacking detail, indistinct bulletin was being issued to passersby. It is difficult to imagine how helpful those efforts could be, particularly to someone wholly unfamiliar with the incident.

Located near the intersection of E. North Ave and Belair Rd., adjacent to the landmark Baltimore Cemetery, save for a liquor story, a gas station, and a nearby methadone substance abuse program clinic, few businesses seem to be in operation in the area, particularly on the block where McNeill is said to have been sitting.

With a known history of heavy narcotics trafficking and extreme levels of violence in the vicinity and immediate surrounds, speculation and theories of what the off duty officer may have been doing in the area, have exploded on internet social media chatter.


Confusion Of Conflicting Information



Initially police had called Sgt. McNeill a "bystander" who was shot. The message quickly turned to him being "targeted." Despite vague media statements alluding to McNeill possibly being targeted due to his occupation, police have made no such determination, and stress it is still an active investigation, without any conclusion to motive as of this time.

Early media reports were worded in such a way, giving the impression of the officer being shot in the line of duty. This too has been determined to be clearly not the case.

The Baltimore Sun quoted Fraternal Officer Of Police president, Det. Bob Cherry, as saying he believed McNeill worked an administrative assignment in the Eastern District Station.

Throughout the city, SWAT officers conducted numerous raids in the search for Gregg Thomas. Batts has vowed they will not stop, and will remain relentless. A stern warning was issued to anyone hiding or harboring Thomas, as Batts declared him to be "Public Enemy Number 1." Numerous individuals have been detained for questioning in regards to the shooting.


More On McNeill

Recently turning 41, Sgt. McNeill has spent 19 years on the force and is married with children. A city native, and graduate of MERVO High School.

McNeill is a semi-professional motorcycle racer and an avid fan of the Baltimore Ravens.

At time of publication, McNeill condition was reported to be in critical condition of University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.


Commissioner Batts described a semi-conscious, unable to speak McNeill, acknowledging his presence by nodding his head and giving a thumbs up.










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Researcher, independent investigative journalist, and entrepreneur, A.F. James MacArthur has been a member of the underground news network for over 20 years. During this time, he's been a frequent subject of attack by government officials under the guise of law enforcement. Although closely watched and followed, he's often boycotted from being given any credit for his work by mainstream media.
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14 March 2014

Baltimore Spectator Or Phantom Shooter?

"In this world, everything happens for a reason.  Even the smallest, seemingly random event is part of some larger pattern of order. There is no such thing as true coincidence. Even if at the time it may appear so. These are just things, occurrences and incidents taking place, for which at the present we do not have sufficient explanation or understanding why." -- A.F. James MacArthur Ph.A.L.










11 March 2014

Police Fail To Follow Own Policy On Cameras

James MacArthur/MacArthur Media
A recent, highly publicized incident, involving the assault and harassment of a photographer at a crime scene by Baltimore Police, have thrust the issue of First Amendment rights into the public consciousness. 

Incidents of Baltimore Police violating the First Amendment rights of citizens are not new here. Truthfully there have been many well documented instances for years now. The beleaguered department seems to have a particular penchant for displaying a gross disregard for the rights of citizens.

It is notable that the only time the issue seems to get played up in the media, is when the victim of this abuse is someone other than a person of color. Put simply, when black people are being routinely harassed, threatened and intimidated by Baltimore Police, The Baltimore Sun, and nearly every other local media - who mostly only follow the lead of the Sun - make little if any mention of it, and quickly move on, implying a tacit approval of police misconduct going on under their watch.

That is, until it involves their own. Then and only then, is it a big deal, even spurring a public apology from Police Commissioner Anthony Batts, and the launching of an immediate investigation. If only the everyday citizens of Baltimore, daily dealing with abuse from overly- aggressive, poorly trained, heavy handed officers, could be so lucky.

Instead, having no voice, they typically suffer in silence, taking their place among the choice-less, with media ignoring the role of being a voice for the voiceless.

Addendum:

In November 2012, the Baltimore Police Department finalized and adopted a formal policy for dealing with photography and video. Despite being sent to every officer via email, discussed during roll call, and plenty of media mention initially, General Order J-16 has become in practice, nothing more than mere suggestions. Well written words of damage control.

Having absolutely no effect on officers behavior, with no punishment or discipline mechanism in place for violators, the rights of citizens in Baltimore continue to be crushed by the cops.

In the video below, the author is seen talking to Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts, while surrounded by police. Police were initially threatening arrest for doing nothing more than standing on a sidewalk and taking pictures. Courtesy of Justin Fenton/The Baltimore Sun.


Baltimore Police General Order J-16: photo, video policy

Upon discovery that a bystander is observing, photographing, or video recording the conduct of police activity:

1. DO NOT impede or prevent the bystander's ability to continue doing so based solely on your discovery of his/her presence.

2. DO NOT seize or otherwise demand to take possession of any camera or video recording device the bystander may possess based solely on your discovery of his/her presence.

3. DO NOT demand to review, manipulate, or erase any images or video recording captured by the bystander based solely on your discovery of his/her presence.

4. For investigative purposes, be mindful of the potential that the bystander may witness, or capture images/video of events considered at some later time to be material evidence.

5. BEFORE taking any police action which would stop a bystander from observing, photographing, or video recording the conduct of police activity, Officer(s) must have observed the bystander committing some act [deemed criminal, such as obstruction, disorderly conduct or interfering with an officer's lawful duties].










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09 March 2014

Man Injured After Being Shot Multiple Times

After Seven Days Of No Reported Shootings, Violence Returns To Baltimore
Apparently death by stabbing doesn't count. During this same time period, 17-year-old Jowan Henry was stabbed and killed, after an argument Saturday night in the 2600 block of Mura St. The third juvenile murder victim this year.

Agitator-In-Chief
@BaltoSpectator

A street corner memorial marks the spot of a prior 
murder, as police investigate after a man was 
shot multiple times Sunday, on the 2500 block of Druid Hill Ave.
A man was shot multiple times Sunday afternoon in the 2500 block of Druid Hill Ave in West Baltimore. Although unconfirmed, according to the first initial tweet breaking the incident, by Baltimore Metro News, the victim is said to be 28 years old.
The Baltimore Spectator spoke to relatives of the victim at the scene. They indicated the man was still alive, being treated at an area hospital and was expected to survive.


A Wake Up Call For All Of Us

Details on the shooting are unclear, but apparently the victim may have been shot inside a home. A woman living at the house, peered out the window and said she was asked by police to remain upstairs while they processed and investigated the first floor of the home as an active crime scene. A young boy could be clearly seen looking outside through the same window. It is presumable he was a witness to the incident.
Police officials and crime scene investigators were seen going in and out of the house. There were no evidence markers indicating the presence of shell casing or other items related to a shooting on the outside.

The surrounding neighborhood is no stranger to violence. Among the trash strewn alleyways and vacant home lined streets, numerous homicides have taken place within the immediate vicinity over the years.

Multiple faded balloons and other artifacts could be seen tied to poles and street signs, marking the places where other victims have lost their lives.

Incidentally, it was over an hour after the incident happened before Baltimore Police tweeted the shooting. In typical fashion, few details were given. No word of a possible suspect or motive.
File this under: routine, non-fatal Baltimore shooting. The kind of incident that will be lucky to literally get 15 seconds of TV time on the evening news. If any mention at all.









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Researcher, independent investigative journalist, and entrepreneur, A.F. James MacArthur has been a member of the underground news network for over 20 years. During this time, he's been a frequent subject of attack by government officials under the guise of law enforcement. Although closely watched and followed, he's often boycotted from being given any credit for his work by mainstream media.
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