Dearborn Mayor Responds to Police Dept. Criticism
Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr., took to the local papers and websites, including Deepsaidwhat.com, penning a column to respond to criticism over the police department’s investigation into an FBI shooting that the city had no role in.
In his column, the mayor points out that “the Dearborn Police had no involvement of any kind in the execution of the multi-agency operation.”
This is an important point; particularly since politicians such as U.S. Rep. John Conyers (D-Detroit) was among those who criticized the Dearborn Police Department for having a role in the raid when it did not.
Mayor O’Reilly’s column begins below:
Dearborn Mayor John B. O'Reilly, Jr.
Any comments criticizing the Dearborn Police Department or their handling of the Investigation of the shooting at a warehouse near Michigan Avenue and Miller Road are inappropriate and ill-informed. The Dearborn Police Department under the leadership of Chief Ron Haddad has conducted the investigation of this unfortunate incident in a thorough and professional manner.
I must stress that the Dearborn Police had no involvement of any kind in the execution of the multi-agency operation. When a potential crime occurs in our City, it is the duty of our law enforcement agency to gather the facts and turn the results over to the appropriate Prosecuting agency. This is as true for an FBI shooting as for any other type. Our duty is to gather all possible facts relating to the incident from every possible source. Only after we are certain that we have examined all relevant information do we complete the report and forward it.
The incident in Dearborn can be described as a sting operation in a warehouse that was to apprehend persons fencing stolen goods or otherwise actively engaged in a criminal act. The FBI agents and other participating agents were there and armed in the expectation that the other parties in the transaction would also be armed. When the shooting victim and his associates arrive they were also armed. It is not difficult to understand the inherent danger in that situation. When the agents attempted to arrest the parties suspected of criminal acts, at least one party apparently refused to surrender. The agents claim that gunfire ensued at that time.
I don’t know how many agents opened fire at that time or where they were standing or what type of weapon they were firing. Neither do any of the people criticizing the Dearborn Police. In fact, ironically, that is what the critics want to know. Unfortunately, absent the facts they are making up their own version. One of the reasons for delaying the Medical Examiner’s report was to wait until the ballistics reports were received to help make sense of the autopsy results. Clear evidence of where everyone in the facility was physically located and whether they fired and how many rounds also helps to paint a clearer picture.
I have no inside information about the investigation, only what has been made public. I am wise enough to know that a good deal more facts are necessary before an honest judgment can be made. Everyone involved needs to be fully interviewed and then the facts verified. All of the testimony has to be compared and analyzed, including the internal report from the Department of Justice. This report has not net been completed and made available to the Dearborn Police. One of the practices in place within the Justice Department in these cases is to send their report to the Civil Rights Division for review. Those demanding this action should be aware that it is already done according to Department Policy. We in Dearborn support that policy. When emotions rush in, facts and logic exit.
This is a very serious matter and the City of Dearborn and the Dearborn Police Department are committed to the truth without regard to the consequences. I ask that everyone else focus on that goal instead of prejudging the outcome and criticizing those trying to get it right.
February 7th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
I applaud the mayor for issuing a statement regarding the shameful and embarrassing attempts by Rep. John Conyers–who should resign or be forced to resign from his post as head of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee simply based upon the ongoing investigation into the activities of his wife Monica Conyers—to distract attention from that case and placate the local Muslims who support him instead of running their own candidate.
The ridiculous editorial in the Detroit Free Press last week and attempts by some members of the Islamic community to blame Dearborn and Dearborn Police for the shooting death of the convicted felon cum prison-reformed Muslim in the blue sheets is an obvious step toward suing the city of Dearborn for that FBI related death on behalf of the Tanzanian widow who was conveniently located at the last minute.
Why?
Because the FBI cannot be sued in this case.
February 7th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
It’s amazing to me how many times the Detroit Free Press mentioned this guy’s family, implied the FBI did something wrong, implied an independant investigation needed to be done, talked about how dogs are considered to be “unclean” by Muslims and implied that this is why the “Imam” opened fire on law enforcement. The even MORE amazing part is how LITTLE they mentioned this would-be cop-killer’s connection to his mentor Hubert Brown, AKA H. Rap Brown, AKA Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin. Brown is a cop killer and currently resides in the nation’s most secure supermax facility in Colorado.
I don’t think the Freep mentioned the cop-killing H. Rap Brown’s history with the Black Panthers and their rallying cry of “Burn Baby Burn” either. They weren’t talking about disco.
God forbid any federal law enforcement agency take as close a look at John Conyers as he expects them to do with law enforcement every time another would-be cop killer is shot by the police or federal agents.
I told the Free Press to stop delivering their paper to my house a long time ago, and every morning, there it is on my porch after I told them I didn’t want to see it there and thath I would never buy another copy again. I guess the paper is aptly named and they realize what a rag they have on their hands when they have to give it away for….free.
February 8th, 2010 at 9:13 am
I agree with both of the above posters. Mr. Mayor keep doing what you are doing in this case.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
What isn’t mentioned above is the involvement of our local ‘community leaders’ who have kept fanning the fires of suspicion about this case. All the local Muslim ‘spokesmen’ keep pretending the Muslim community is under attack. The fact is that the Muslim community is being supported by the City, and protected by our police force. The only discrimination that is taking place is BY elements of the Dearborn Muslim community, not AGAINST them.
February 8th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Why is John Conyers getting involved in this?? Is he part of this muslim group?
February 9th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Ole John’s not part of the Muslim group per se, but he realizes that his future as an elected official is tenuous at best (see: Conyers, Monica). By fomenting, yet again, this “us against them” mentality, his minions figure that this will secure a precious few more votes to insure all of “their” political futures.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:31 am
“us against them” you can’t say that! We are all equal! Dearborn is a diverse city that loves all! Besides all the long time residents have to make up for living during the Hubbard years just to make up for our racist and ethnic intimidating tendencies! This includes all the third and fourth generation hyphenated americans who today act as if they just got off the boats themselves!!!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:34 am
Comparing Jack O’Reilly to Monica Conyers? Yeah. Right. “South of Cherry Hill,” did you even read what what you are commenting about?
The editorial by the Mayor above indicates that he is in OPPOSITION to, not IN SUPPORT of, the people that are clamoring for more information (“Ole John’s not part of the Muslim group per se,” your comment seems to imply that he is in fact part of the Muslim group, or at least some shadow-op for those dern Muslins.)
But I suppose that is indicative of the rest of the crypto-xenophobic ramblings that other posters have espoused on the topic — can’t discern reality through the smudgy lenses of your small-minded prejudices.
Look folks, here’s the facts:
A United States citizen was shot 21 times by federal agents. The Wayne County Medical Examiner said he never has been involved in a police shooting with so many bullets. Similarly, the WCME has only been involved in ONE other case where a police department has requested a delayed autopsy report.
So, right off this case bears some curious elements.
The WCME also described several cuts/abrasions to the deceased’s hands and face as well as a broken jaw bone. They cause of the injuries was undetermined, but the WCME did say the marks didn’t appear consistent with dog bites.
Not that I am a crime scene investigator, but cuts on the hands and face? And a broken jaw? Those injuries certainly seem consistent with someone who was in a fist fight. Oh and not to be overlooked: he was shot in the back.
I won’t say that any of this alone — or even in its totality — is evidence of a Big Brother conspiracy. What I will say is that if it was my dad, or my brother, or my husband, or my cleric, I would want some answers. And I would want them yesterday.
But instead of standing for full disclosure and police transparency, so many here are just inclined to go with the company line that the guy was just a bad dude who had it coming.
Stop being sheeple, people. Ask questions. Think critically.
We are talking about the men and women of law enforcement that we entrust with the authority to use deadly force against fellow American citizens. When that ultimate authority is exercised it needs to be examined and disclosed in the timeliest manner possible – not when it’s politically expedient.
“Sunshine is the best disinfectant”- Louis Brandeis
February 9th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Johnny Cakes – did you read the post right above “South of Cherry Hill”? “South” was referring to John Conyers in an attempt to answer the semi-rhetorical question posed by Rami.
And O’Reilly’s comments are not in opposition to those clamoring for more information. Unlike CSI or Law And Order, where things get wrapped up in 48 minutes, some cases take a long time to reveal all the information. Period.
February 9th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Cardio64,
Duly noted. Thanks for the clarification.
February 9th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Some facts to consider:
The perpetrator was a convicted felon.
It is against the law for convicted felons to carry/use/shoot guns.
The convicted felon perpetrator opened fire first, allegedly at the FBI dog, which under federal law has the same standing as a human officer.
The convicted felon perpetrator who converted to Islam while in prison at taxpayer expense, allegedly opened fire on the FBI dog because as a Muslim, he considered the dog to be “unclean.”
The Koran/Quran references to dogs are highly contested and debated. The only agreement is that a dog kept inside a house as a pet is considered “unclean.”
The FBI dog/agent was outdoors.
The FBI agents have semi-automatic weaponsm, which explain the high number of shots fired.
The convicted felon perpetrator was committing a crime and hiding behind his blue sheets and prison converted Islamic standing to go right back to his old life.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
I sure hope i’m not one of the random citizens the F.B.I. selects to shoot 21 times for no reason at all! This is the “Pussification and Victumization” mentality of the living by leeching off of the land people. Quit feeling sorry for those who take no responsability and accountability for there lives. Stupid is as stupid does. You just don’t get shot 21 times for nothing. If John C. is so concerned about people getting shot excessive times he should stay in detroit and do some soul-searching. The scraches and broken jaw can happen falling unprotected! WAKE UP DEARBORN!
February 10th, 2010 at 9:39 am
I know what I read and I know what I wrote. These “Muslims” are only Muslims out of convenience. A religion that they can interpret so as to allow for a law-breaking lifestyle. If these were the Dearborn Muslims that we live and work with everyday, Droolin’ John wouldn’t have given one whit about the Imam getting the Swiss Cheese treatment from the Fibbies, but because they are the H. Rap Brown Muslims, he’s showing concern for his constituents. Get this doddering old fool out of office before he causes even more embarassment to the region.
February 10th, 2010 at 11:53 am
Shady,
I don’t need to do any soul-searching, but thanks for the suggestion. However, I do take exception to your assertion that I am feeling sorry for “those who take no ‘responsability’ and accountability for ‘there’ lives.”
On the contrary, I am hoping for full responsibility and accountability. But what’s good for the goose is good for the gander: law enforcement needs to fully disclose what happened.
Really, what is concerning to me is how so many people have summarily rejected any notion that maybe, just maybe, the FBI didn’t act totally kosher in this situation. Certainly, nothing like that has never happened in the past, but when you have an unbiased voice (the WCME) saying that he has never seen a guy shot that many times AND noting the whole delayed autopsy thing AND saying that the ballistics report was withheld from him by police (which is not SOP), well, I’d say it’s at least intriguing.
I mean, doesn’t that make you wonder?
The other thing that is curious to me is how most of the posters here seem to know so much of what constitutes this guy’s character. I am willing to bet that most, if not all, of what people know about Luqman Abdullah is based on media reports and – for some ambitious folks – from the actual criminal complaint produced by the FBI (which is what the majority of media reports consisted of).
Well, I have news that may shock you: the FBI ain’t gonna make the subject of an undercover investigation look like a choir boy. There’s a lot of time and taxpayer resources going into something like that, so they will make as many allegations as possible – many of which would be rejected in court – in an effort to secure an eventual conviction on some charge, any charge. But there was no day in court, and Abdullah never had the chance to refute those allegations (not that it isn’t his fault, I’m simply pointing out that a lot of the information out there is unproven allegations.)
Which brings me back to my point: just put the investigation out there in the open. Like another poster mentioned, Dearborn doesn’t exactly have a great history when it comes to race-relations so, yes, there are heightened sensitivities to incidents like this. You can’t just overlook that fact, and it’s short-sighted on the part of the PD to do so.
February 10th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
I am not sure of everything that ‘Shady’ just said, but I think the gist of it is this: If you pull a gun and fire at the FBI – even if the bullets are aimed at their dog, which they warned you was coming – you are going to be riddled with bullets. The man was in the back of a truck, and so was in an elevated position in relation to the FBI agents. The elevated position accounts for the fact that there were wounds in his lower trunk and privates. And yes, as Shady says, just falling to the floor of the trailer could easily account for the broken jaw.
It also would be perfectly understandable that the agents would be furious at the man who had just shot their dog. That man had every chance to give himself up and chose instead to pull a gun. Also remember, he was recorded as saying he would not give up to the authorities, but would shoot it out with them. Well, he tried, and we can all see what it got him.
The problem in Dearborn is that we have imams who are ranting in the press, and before crowds, that the FBI deliberately ‘targeted’ this supposed cleric. I say ‘supposed cleric’ because the term ‘cleric’ should be reserved for men of religion. A man who pushes hate and violence is not a man of religion. These imams who are pushing the idea that Dearborn-area Muslims should hate non-Muslims and should support jihadist ideas are also not worthy of the term ‘clerics.’ They are political agents, not religious men.
February 10th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
“Shady” is right.
I don’t see or hear of any marches/news conferences/lawsuits involving the true victims of crime who are shot to death by criminals of the ilk of the dead felon with the blue sheets, while going about their everyday business:
– pumping gas
-selling gas
– visiting an ATM
– doing their jobs at Cheli’s downtown
– closing up a restaurant only to be ambushed and killed
Shame on us for not starting a movement on their behalf.
Do you think Congressman Conyers would go to bat for them?
February 10th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Very interesting comments and I agree with all of them. Oldalldayschoolmom, well put. As the mother of Dearborn PD mom I was sickened at the article in the Free Press and when I heard Mr. Benzick going on and on about this very thing at a Council meeting. What kind of Dearborn citizen can be so ridiculouos? By the way, at the same meeting, a Muslim woman was asking the council to let her raise chickens on her garage. But a dog is dirty. Okay! And Conyers? Don’t even get me started!
February 10th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
“On the contrary, I am hoping for full responsibility and accountability. But what’s good for the goose is good for the gander: law enforcement needs to fully disclose what happened. ”
Actually, your “goose and gander” metaphor makes no sense. Law enforcement will be required to fully disclose what happened. AFTER THE INVESTIGATION IS FINISHED. We don’t have a right to know what’s going on in an open investigation. Neither does Conyers. If he did, Monica never would have been caught.
The other party in your “goose and gander” metaphor, on the other hand, does NOT have a duty to disclose anything. In fact, the “other side” has a constitutional right to NOT disclose what might tend to incriminate them. See how your “goose and gander” position doesn’t hold water?
And I’ll leave you with this: What do Coleman Young, Sam Riddle, Monica Conyers, Ken Weiner, Willam Hart, Bernard Kilpatrick, Kwami Kilpatrick and Ed McNamara all have in common? Give up? They were all people who were never the subject of a federal investigation instigated by John Conyers.
Yet these FBI agents must bear higher scrutiny? Why? Because they’re less credible than the other people I mentioned? If you make a living at hating your country, fomenting a separatist agenda, dealing in stolen merchandise, shooting at law enforcement agents and doing the bidding of a cop-killing penitentiary lifer like H. Rap Brown, guess what? Bad things tend to happen to you.
The words of Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong come to mind: “Dealin’ in death and stealin’ in the name of the Lord.” One reaps what one sows. That’s a standard theme in Christianity, Judaism AND Islam as far as I know. This guy was about as truly Muslim as the Reverend Jim Jones was truly Christian. Let’s hear John Conyers admit that.
February 11th, 2010 at 9:08 am
You mean all those people had papa’s who were “A rolling stone”!
February 11th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Bad Rap…..wow, that was good. I hope you are a Deaborn resident. If so, how about running for Council…or Mayor!!
February 11th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Assail the metaphor all you want. And to hell with John Conyers, too (even though I never said anything about him and don’t really know why you decided to “leave me” with that.)
My simple point is: the police should have been fully transparent in this matter and they have not been. The autopsy could have been released and it wasn’t. I couldn’t care less about any of the players involved here – I just believe in the free flow of information. And the Chief’s request that this not be released – especially when so many people are seeking it – stands directly in the face of that idea.
And it’s counterproductive. All of this stuff was going to come out eventually anyway. Why fuel conspiracy theories by bucking typical protocol for incidents like this, especially when it already involves an unusually high number of shots fired?
February 11th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
To ‘Johnny Cakes’: To me, the delay in releasing autopsy results was in a vain hope that all the information would be in hand and all the studies done by the time it was released. This to keep to a minimum the agitation from professional troublemakers. Did it work? Maybe not.
I see your point about Conyers’ only caring about this case because it involved a Nation of Islam Muslim.
I do have to disagree with ‘A Bad Rap’ regarding whether the dead man was truly a Muslim. Most Muslims won’t agree with his view of hatred and violence against non-Muslims, I still believe. However, a sizable local minority agrees with that entirely. We know from public utterances that Muslim ‘community leaders’ have no problem denouncing America, supporting terrorists or calling for the destruction of Israel. No matter how violent or depraved, they support Muslims and hate non-Muslims.
February 12th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
I just read an article stating the dead criminal fired 36 shots before the FBI fired back…