Previously, "Dramatic Footage Shows FBI and OSP Ambush LaVoy Finicum, Shoot and Kill Reaching for Waistband (VIDEO)."
The Portland Oregonian's now got a story on the failure of the agency to quash conspiracies surround the death of LaVoy Finicum.
See, "Video of LaVoy Finicum's death fuels rampant rumors, debate":
BURNS -- In a rare move, the FBI on Thursday released footage of Robert "LaVoy" Finicum's fatal shooting two days earlier at the hands of Oregon State Police troopers.Keep reading.
It's unusual for law enforcement agencies to release video footage of police shootings so quickly. Doing so, FBI officials hoped, would dispel rumors about Finicum's death.
Instead, the debate grew louder.
For those inclined to believe the police account of the shooting – that Finicum was shot after resisting arrest on a remote highway between Burns and John Day – the grainy, soundless video offered confirmation.
But for those who believed a different account – that Finicum had his hands up in surrender when police killed him – the video stoked more furor.
People argued on social media, in the comments sections, in the aisles of the local Safeway and over meals at McDonald's. Did the video offer clear evidence that police were justified in shooting Finicum, or were doubters right to use the words "murder" and "execution?"
What is clear: During an Oregon State Police and FBI operation to arrest Finicum and several other leaders of the standoff at Malheur National Wildife Refuge, authorities stopped two vehicles traveling north on U.S. 395.
Inside were eight people, including several key members of the group that seized the wildlife refuge headquarters on Jan. 2.
Three people inside the Jeep – including Ammon Bundy, the son of controversial rancher Cliven Bundy and a leader of the refuge takeover -- were arrested.
From a white truck driven by Finicum, occupation leader Ryan Payne also emerged to surrender. The truck stayed idle for several minutes, then Finicum sped away.
After two bends in the road, he encountered a police roadblock and veered into a snowbank. The truck was stuck. Finicum emerged with arms outstretched, then lowered them and appeared to reach left into his jacket pocket. He raised his hands again, then reached again into the pocket. Police shot him, and he fell onto his back.
Finicum raised his right hand, then lay still as police focused on removing three remaining passengers from the truck.
"We did everything we could to bring this to a peaceful resolution," said Greg Bretzing, a special agent in charge with the FBI.
That did little to allay doubters' concerns...
There're additional investigations underway, and no doubt we'll have the release of further video evidence, including both body-cams and dash-cams.
Check back here for all the latest on the siege.
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