Myth #1: The headshot principle.
In trawling the internet in the quiet early hours of the morning i have read so many posts from armchair warriors who still to this day scream 'why didn't the police go for a headshot?'.
Lets put this nonsense to rest shall we?
I think the following picture will illustrate the type of distances that need to be recognised here.
Bear in mind that this picture is taken from the southbound lane of Laurel Canyon Boulevard, NO officers were in this exact location they were in fact some quite considerable distance behind the photographs perspective (which is 79ft / 26yards).
Lets put this nonsense to rest shall we?
I think the following picture will illustrate the type of distances that need to be recognised here.
Bear in mind that this picture is taken from the southbound lane of Laurel Canyon Boulevard, NO officers were in this exact location they were in fact some quite considerable distance behind the photographs perspective (which is 79ft / 26yards).
Now lets look at the placement of the closest officers to the gunmen in the initial conflict; trust me when i say that these distances grew as the firefight progressed as officers attempted to seek more substantial cover.
The picture above should put into perspective just how difficult ANY type of shot would have been, imagine yourself in the first picture trying to take aim at either the figure in the the orange shirt at the extreme left of the photo, or the figure under the bank's logo. Now double the distance. Then factor in the adrenaline rush that these officers were combating and the possible 1200 rounds per minute filling the air from both gunmen's weapons.
A poster, Flurry, at the FreeRepublic forums put the information into context that i think is easily understandable:
'I don't know that these guys were that far away, but 50 yards is a LONG way to make a clean headshot against a moving target, under fire, with a service pistol. Pack up your fixed sight Beretta, some 9mm JHP, head out to the range, and set up an 8" steel plate at 50 yards. Do about 15 pushups, and maybe 50 jumping jacks, draw your pistol, and whack that plate. It won't be easy. Now, remember the plate can't shoot back with FULL AUTO 7.62 slugs, and it's stationary'.
A poster, Flurry, at the FreeRepublic forums put the information into context that i think is easily understandable:
'I don't know that these guys were that far away, but 50 yards is a LONG way to make a clean headshot against a moving target, under fire, with a service pistol. Pack up your fixed sight Beretta, some 9mm JHP, head out to the range, and set up an 8" steel plate at 50 yards. Do about 15 pushups, and maybe 50 jumping jacks, draw your pistol, and whack that plate. It won't be easy. Now, remember the plate can't shoot back with FULL AUTO 7.62 slugs, and it's stationary'.
Officer training also played a large part in the 'headshot scenario' not being viable, information i have been able to source relates to Day/Night combat qualification course from the LAPD Firearms Training Section. If the information given is inaccurate I will happily stand to be corrected.
Officers appear to be trained at 7,10,12 & 15 yards firing a total of 60 rounds from their service weapon at four separate targets, two in daylight conditions and two in simulated night time conditions. To pass the course officers must score a minimum of 70% on the day course and 60% on the night course.
Scoring aside, the very fact that these officers were on the street means that they passed, what should be noted is that they were attempting to engage targets at over three times the distance that they had qualified at.
Headshot? Beyond the possible I would say, anyone straying out of cover to try and make such a shot would have found the air full of hissing deadly lead.
I hope this places some further perspective on a subject that has gotten out of control in certain circles, a myth that does nothing help understand the situation on the day.
Officers appear to be trained at 7,10,12 & 15 yards firing a total of 60 rounds from their service weapon at four separate targets, two in daylight conditions and two in simulated night time conditions. To pass the course officers must score a minimum of 70% on the day course and 60% on the night course.
Scoring aside, the very fact that these officers were on the street means that they passed, what should be noted is that they were attempting to engage targets at over three times the distance that they had qualified at.
Headshot? Beyond the possible I would say, anyone straying out of cover to try and make such a shot would have found the air full of hissing deadly lead.
I hope this places some further perspective on a subject that has gotten out of control in certain circles, a myth that does nothing help understand the situation on the day.
Myth #2: The Keys.
Reported in certain circles is the apparent 'fact' that when Bill Marr exited his truck after being fired upon by Matasareanu, that he took with him the ignition keys.
Reported by yet other sources is the story that fuel pump cut-off switches disabled the vehicle leaving Matasareanu stranded to face the oncoming SWAT officers.
What story is true?
I think the easiest way to dispel this particular piece of false reporting is to let Bill Marr tell the story in his own words.
Reported by yet other sources is the story that fuel pump cut-off switches disabled the vehicle leaving Matasareanu stranded to face the oncoming SWAT officers.
What story is true?
I think the easiest way to dispel this particular piece of false reporting is to let Bill Marr tell the story in his own words.
My gratitude to Christopher De La Torre of 99Peliculas for allowing us to use his unedited footage of this interview.
