Jan. 27, 2016

Ammon Bundy, the leader of a group of protesters occupying federal land in eastern Oregon, was taken into custody Tuesday night and the group’s spokesman, Robert “LaVoy” Finicum was shot dead by law enforcement.

One of Finicum’s daughters claims the circumstances surrounding her father’s death make those involved guilty of murder.

The FBI and Oregon State Police arrested Ammon Bundy, 40, his brother Ryan, 43, Brian Cavalier, 44, Shawna Cox, 59, and Ryan Payne, 32, at around 4:25 p.m. local time on U.S. Highway 395, according to Fox News. The group was reportedly traveling to the town of John Day, approximately 70 miles from where their protest is taking place in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, when they were pulled over.

Three others who participated in the the standoff with the federal government over land use are also in custody: Joseph O’Shaughnessy, 45, and Peter Santilli, 50, were arrested in the nearby town of Burns, Ore., and Jon Ritzheimer, 32, turned himself in to the Peoria, Arizona, police department.

The FBI states that all eight men face federal felony charge of conspiracy to impede officers of the United States from discharging their official duties through the use of force, intimidation or threats.

Fox News reports it is not clear what the circumstances were regarding the arrest of Bundy’s group, which resulted in shots being fired and the death of Finicum, who was 55. The protest group wrote on its Facebook page:

Levoy Finicum was Shot and murdered in Cold blood today in Burns Oregon by the FBI and State Law enforcement. He had his hands up and was shot 3 Times. This Man Is one of the best Patriots, Husband, Father, Grandfather, friend and Neighbor, that this world will ever know. Spread this far and wide!

A Facebook account reportedly operated by one of Finicum’s 11 children, Thara Tenney, also said he was cooperating, according to Fox.

“I want the world to know how my father was murdered today,” Tenney’s post said. “His hands were in the air and he was shot in the face by the American authorities. Ammon Bundy reported there are six witnesses to this evil.”

Cliven Bundy, who led a stand-off with the federal government in 2014 and is the father of Ammon and Ryan, said Finicum died supporting his beliefs.

“He was a wonderful man,” he told CNN affiliate KTNV. “He was a student of the Constitution. He was interested in freedom, and I think he gave his life where he felt it was best.”

With the group’s leaders in custody, and one dead, it’s unknown whether the occupation will continue.

At the refuge, the New York Times reported a spokesman said the group would wait out the night. Jason Patrick, an occupier, told the newspaper that several people were still inside and that the mood was “prepared” but calm. “They said ‘peaceful resolution,’ but now there is a dead cowboy,” Patrick said, adding he believes the FBI was “hellbent” on war.   

“The plan is peaceful resolution through the night. Ammon says the sunlight is the best disinfectant,” Patrick added. “We’ll let the sun shine and see what’s up.”

The FBI will have a news conference Wednesday morning.

h/t: New York Times

http://www.westernjournalism.com/daughter-of-oregon-protester-killed-by-feds-just-made-massive-allegation-i-want-the-world-to-know/