When Police Raids Go Wrong

May 25. 2010

Ayanna Jones 

The recent death of 7-year-old Ayanna Jones is a terrible reminder of what happens when police raids go wrong. Proper pre-raid investigative work and due diligence were not utilized, as a child was residing in the downstairs apartment of the duplex that contained an upstairs unit the police sought to raid. 

As a result of this massive criminal negligence, little Ayanna, who was asleep on the sofa of her apartment, was burned by a police incendiary device that was thrown through the front window without warning and shot in the neck by a police officer.

Photo by Louis Beam

One cannot ask for a more poorly executed raid than this, as a child was in essence, accidentally executed. Her family has every right to be enraged, as the scenario that unfolded was completely preventable and stemmed from recklessness, carelessness and negligence.

There are cases of police raids gone wrong, which were properly planned and executed. It is particularly regrettable when one makes one's best effort to protect human life, but the worst happens in the form of casualties.

Botched FBI Waco raid shows fire burning inhabitant cult members, including children and babies

However, some law enforcement raids suffer from horrible planning. For example, years ago, the botched FBI raid in Waco, Texas that left 74 people dead, including 20 children, during an intense 50 day standoff against David Koresh. It was another case of poor planning and a reckless disregard for human life. 

As was the FBI's raid at Ruby Ridge that left several people dead, including children and the pet dog. FBI snipers executed an entire family, including a 16-year-old girl, Sara Weaver, who was running away from them, shooting her in the head, which is inexcusable. 

To this day, both Ruby Ridge and Waco are heavily disputed, with many blaming the FBI for not exercising proper caution and using unnecessary deadly force against adults and children.