Watching The Cops
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Title: Police officer shot dead after pointing stun gun at man's dogs as he attended domestic disturbance
Source:
Daily Mail Online
URL Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art ... inting-stun-gun-mans-dogs.html
Published: Aug 14, 2011
Author: Daily Mail Reporter
Post Date: 2011-08-14 20:23:45 by Sebastian
Keywords: None
Views: 28064
Comments: 35
A police officer killed while responding to a domestic disturbance in a small eastern Pennsylvania borough had pointed a stun gun at two dogs before being shot, court records reveal.
Freemansburg police officer Robert Lasso had pointed at the attacking dogs when the homeowner pulled out a shotgun and fired the fatal blast on Thursday evening.
In police custody, the alleged gunman, 46-year-old George Hitcho Jr, said he had told Mr Lasso to get off his property and not come on unless he had a warrant, authorities said.
Killed: Robert Lasso was shot dead as he attended a domestic disturbance
'He tried to kill my dogs and pointed a gun in my face,' Hitcho said, according to the documents. 'I do not care if you a cop or not ...Unbelievable.'
The officer had been responding to a report of a disturbance and ended up at the back of Hitcho's house, authorities said.
Police Chief George Bruneio, who arrived after Mr Lasso requested assistance, instructed him to 'shoot the dogs' and that's when the homeowner pulled out a shotgun and fired, authorities said.
Mr Lasso, 31, a married father of two, was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett has ordered flags in the Capitol complex and in Northampton County to be flown at half-staff to honour Mr Lasso.
Disturbance: The owner of the Pennsylvania home allegedly told Mr Lasso to get off his property before shooting him
Honoured: Mr Lasso, 31, was a married father of two
Mr Lasso's family said they were devastated.
'Robert, he was so good,' said his mother, Elsie Stem. 'He was so loved, especially by his kids. Now they have to grow up without a daddy. It's not fair.'
Mr Lasso's funeral will be held on Tuesday. Yesterday a procession was held in his memory as his body was transported from hospital to a funeral home.
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Police Chief George Bruneio, who arrived after Mr Lasso requested assistance, instructed him to 'shoot the dogs' and that's when the homeowner pulled out a shotgun and fired, authorities said.
As long as LEOs keep on acting unprofessional and far more intrusive than necessary - while playing God - things won't turn out well. Dogs and cats are "family" to many people.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
#2. To: Sebastian, *Jack-Booted Thugs* (#0)
Good.
Never swear "allegiance" to anything other than the 'right to change your mind'!
#3. To: Sebastian (#0)
'He tried to kill my dogs and pointed a gun in my face,' Hitcho said, according to the documents. 'I do not care if you a cop or not ...Unbelievable.'
It does not matter who you are; it is often true that if you are stupid, you are dead.
#4. To: Sebastian (#0)
Police Chief George Bruneio, who arrived after Mr Lasso requested assistance, instructed him to 'shoot the dogs'
I'm talking to the trigger happy phycho's with the badges, if you put a mans children, or their pets, that are not a threat, if you place them in a situation where you threaten to shoot them, and you get shot in the face instead, then JUSTICE WAS SERVED!!
#5. To: Murron (#4)
I'm talking to the trigger happy phycho's with the badges, if you put a mans children, or their pets, that are not a threat, if you place them in a situation where you threaten to shoot them, and you get shot in the face instead, then JUSTICE WAS SERVED!!
That isn't entirely what happened in the discussion contained within the article. Based on the story, Lasso was attempting to investigate a domestic disturbance, although it appears at another house directly behind Hitchco.
Lasso was attacked by two dogs running free in the alley separating the two homes.
During the call he was attacked by two dogs in an alley behind the home. The dogs lived at a home on New Street, directly behind the home where the complaint originated from. He was attempting to use his Taser to subdue the dogs when their owner appeared and shot him without warning. Officer Lasso suffered a shotgun blast to the face. He was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later.
Above has a link: http://www.fugitive.com/2011/08/13/freemansburg-police-officer-robert-lasso-shot-and-killed-in-the-line-of-duty-watch-video-here/
Alley ways are publick property, not private property. If two dogs or any varmints play aggressive with me, I would kill them too.
The cop was correct to remove an unwarranted attack by vicious dogs.
#6. To: buckeroo (#5)
I stand by my post! Nowhere in this article does it say Lasso was 'attacked' by the dogs, if he had, he would have shot them before his captain got there!
#7. To: Murron (#6) (Edited)
You are over reacting to a single article. You should have enough wit about you by now, to research an article or even other articles to catch a better understanding of a tragic event.
In fact, researching Hitcos background, he a drug user and has already pleaded guilty to at least one offense. Wise up! Cops can be nasty (there is no question there) but as I pointed out earlier when dogs attack anyone, particularly on publick property that same person can and should use deadly force against them.
It would have been an entirely different matter IF and only IF Lasso was on Hitco's private property; but that isn't the case. In fact, those dogs should have been impounded a long time ago because they were in violation of city ordinances running loose.
Hitco is facing the death penalty. I hope he swings high and long based on his overreaction on publick property about an officer of the law attempting to perform his duties in a complaint altogether removed from his own home.
#8. To: buckeroo (#5)
The cop was correct to remove an unwarranted attack by vicious dogs.
BTW! I'm sure you can point out in this article just when these 'vicious' dogs were eventually killed, and by whom?
#9. To: Murron (#8)
I am confident those animals are going to be destroyed assuming they were nabbed by the local animal control group.
#10. To: Liberator (#1)
Police Chief George Bruneio, who arrived after Mr Lasso requested assistance, instructed him to 'shoot the dogs' and that's when the homeowner pulled out a shotgun and fired, authorities said.'He tried to kill my dogs and pointed a gun in my face,' Hitcho said, according to the documents. 'I do not care if you a cop or not ...Unbelievable.'
I hope this is the beginning of a trend.
"if you're not cop, you're little people" 
#11. To: Deckard, Sebastian, Liberator, Brian S, Murron (#10)
As I explained in post#5 to Murron, you folks are jumping to conclusions. The article does not describe all the detail. Here is another article:
During the call he was attacked by two dogs in an alley behind the home. The dogs lived at a home on New Street, directly behind the home where the complaint originated from. He was attempting to use his Taser to subdue the dogs when their owner appeared and shot him without warning. Officer Lasso suffered a shotgun blast to the face. He was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later.
Above has a link: http://www.fugitive.com/2011/08/13/freemansburg-police-officer-robert-lasso-shot-and-killed-in-the-line-of-duty-watch-video-here/
Lasso was attacked by two dogs running free in the alley separating the two homes. Alley ways are publick property, not private property. If two dogs or any varmints play aggressive with me, I would kill them too.
#12. To: buckeroo, Deckard, Sebastian, Brian S, Murron (#11)
Lasso was attacked by two dogs running free in the alley separating the two homes. Alley ways are publick property, not private property.
A valid consideration if true. However, SOME alley ways are indeed private property.
If two dogs or any varmints play aggressive with me, I would kill them too.
Beware. There are quite a few George Hitcho Jrs in the world.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
#13. To: Liberator (#12)
A valid consideration if true. However, SOME alley ways are indeed private property.
Most alley ways are parts of property easements with generally one of the deeded purposes being egress for police and fire protection.
#14. To: mininggold, buckeroo (#13)
Most alley ways are parts of property easements with generally one of the deeded purposes being egress for police and fire protection.
Possibly, but obviously arguable depending on the deed and subdivision/municipality.
Perhaps we'll get some definitive answer on this soon.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
#15. To: Liberator, mininggold (#14)
Perhaps we'll get some definitive answer on this soon.
Well, we have a dead cop whom was pursuing a publick report about a domestic issue completely unrelated to the dogs or the murderer that shot Lasso in the face with a shotgun. Lasso died in the line of duty and for no reason other than a wanton murderer allowed his animals to roam around the neighborhood unleased and fenced in.
I have seen some other reports about this murderer, too. Everything bad, from drug use to being aggressive towards his own neighborhood.
#16. To: buckeroo (#15)
I have seen some other reports about this murderer, too. Everything bad, from drug use to being aggressive towards his own neighborhood.
You always believe everything the cops tell you?
The kid- Kelly Thomas- who Fullerton cops beat to death, was unarmed, malnourished (~135 lbs.), and had done nothing to justify his being beaten until he was brain-dead.
He went from this:
To this:
After four days, they took him off life-support, because he was brain-dead. Oh, BTW, he was brain-dead for TWO reasons:
1. Blunt-force trauma to both the front and back of the head (they smashed his face onto concrete curbs, as well as used the butt of the taser-pistol to smash in the back), and
2. Asphyxiation, due to the 350#+ cop repeatedly doing the "drop-knee" onto his face and neck, crushing his throat...
Don't give the typical "I LOVE THE STORMTROOPERS" bullshit...
In the Kelly Thomas example, they claimed at different times, that he was armed, that he fought the police, that he was a suspect in various crimes, etc, etc.
And the witnesses said said the cops showed up, threatened to beat him, and when they ran...? THEN they MURDERED him.
Your blind faith in our militarized police is misplaced. Such faith might have been appropriate, at another time and place... like 1930's Germany.
The two sides in America are people who work for a living versus people who vote for their living.
#17. To: buckeroo, Deckard, Sebastian, Brian S, Murron (#15)
Well, we have a dead cop whom was pursuing a publick report about a domestic issue completely unrelated to the dogs or the murderer that shot Lasso in the face with a shotgun.
I'm referring to the "publick alley" issue.
I have seen some other reports about this murderer, too. Everything bad, from drug use to being aggressive towards his own neighborhood.
That may well be that he was a creep and a bane to mankind.
However that may be, this incident highlights another problem - that LEOs are routinely taking for granted their "right" to arbitrarily trespass and invade private property and space without due cause, and physically threaten people and their pets.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
#18. To: Capitalist Eric, buckeroo (#16)
You always believe everything the cops tell you?
This is partly about credibility - and the increasing lack of it from Law Enforcement.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
#19. To: Capitalist Eric, A K A Stone (#16)
Totally different issue, Eric. That particular issue which I learned from one of A K A Stone's threads is wanton police brutality upon a homeless man wherein six Fullerton police murdered a man for no apparent reason with repeated clubbing, beating and Tasering.
On this thread we have an entirely issue. I know, it might be a bit too much to ask a doctorate candidate such as yourself to differentiate issues and apply reasoning skills with all your earlier educational training, but it is the least I can ask of you.
Thank you as always.
#20. To: buckeroo (#19)
Totally different issue, Eric.
You WISH.
When the police chief shows up, on a call from a different residence, and tells the punk kid to shoot the dogs, the line you attempt to paint, is GONE.
A feeble attempt to justify UNJUSTIFIED behavior on the part of the JBTs.
know, it might be a bit too much to ask a doctorate candidate such as yourself to differentiate issues and apply reasoning skills with all your earlier educational training, but it is the least I can ask of you.
RULE OF DISINFORMATION #17. Change the subject. Usually in connection with one of the other ploys listed here, find a way to side-track the discussion with abrasive or controversial comments in hopes of turning attention to a new, more manageable topic. This works especially well with companions who can “argue” with you over the new topic and polarize the discussion arena in order to avoid discussing more key issues.
RULE OF DISINFORMATION #18. Emotionalize, Antagonize, and Goad Opponents. If you can’t do anything else, chide and taunt your opponents and draw them into emotional responses which will tend to make them look foolish and overly motivated, and generally render their material somewhat less coherent. Not only will you avoid discussing the issues in the first instance, but even if their emotional response addresses the issue, you can further avoid the issues by then focusing on how “sensitive they are to criticism”.
The two sides in America are people who work for a living versus people who vote for their living.
#21. To: Liberator (#17)
I'm referring to the "publick alley" issue.
That is why I brought it up. Where the event occurred, is in an incorporated borough, since 1853 called: Freemansburg PA. It is small but, they have their own resources such as ensuring trash pickup and certain other characteristics for safety considerations.
The dogs were loose in the alleyway. Lasso even called into his HQ for further directions on how to respond to the issue of being attacked by the dogs.
this incident highlights another problem - that LEOs are routinely taking for granted their "right" to arbitrarily trespass and invade private property and space without due cause, and physically threaten people and their pets.
You will regret that statement in this case. Lasso was within his rights to subdue vicious animals hindering his investigation.
In fact, I wonder what the issue that prompted the investigation: could it have been the dogs in the alley all along? Suppose, you want to take the trash out into a known area and couldn't because of vicious animals snarling and threatening you? As a homeowner wouldn't you call the cops? Although it is speculation, something very very bad happened and as far as I am concerned, Lasso was doing his duty.
That entire community is devastated BTW. And, I feel grief as well.
#22. To: Liberator (#18)
This is partly about credibility - and the increasing lack of it from Law Enforcement.
Exactly.
The two sides in America are people who work for a living versus people who vote for their living.
#23. To: Capitalist Eric (#20)
When the police chief shows up, on a call from a different residence, and tells the punk kid to shoot the dogs, the line you attempt to paint, is GONE.
That NEVER happened to the best of the data that I have. Lasso called into his HQ about attacking, vicious animals hindering his actual investigation into an earlier domestic complaint to police HQ. He was given permission permission to subdue the animals through a Tasering method.
Where is your data to support you opinion?
During the call he was attacked by two dogs in an alley behind the home. The dogs lived at a home on New Street, directly behind the home where the complaint originated from. He was attempting to use his Taser to subdue the dogs when their owner appeared and shot him without warning. Officer Lasso suffered a shotgun blast to the face. He was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later.
Above has a link: http://www.fugitive.com/2011/08/13/freemansburg-police-officer-robert-lasso-shot-and-killed-in-the-line-of-duty-watch-video-here/
#24. To: buckeroo (#21)
Lasso was within his rights to subdue vicious animals hindering his investigation.In fact, I wonder what the issue that prompted the investigation: could it have been the dogs in the alley all along? Suppose, you want to take the trash out into a known area and couldn't because of vicious animals snarling and threatening you? As a homeowner wouldn't you call the cops? Although it is speculation, something very very bad happened and as far as I am concerned, Lasso was doing his duty.
You may be right about this incident, Buck.
Although there is another side to the story (as well testimony regarding the character of the accused) that needs to be considered.
FWIW, I have a friend who told me of a recent occurrence at her closed community....a LEO walked right through her open back door un-announced without permission - in order to use IT as a nothing more than a shortcut through the front door and back to his vehicle.
It's just one anecdote, but THIS is the kind of crap people are getting tired of.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
#25. To: Liberator (#24)
Although there is another side to the story (as well testimony regarding the character of the accused) that needs to be considered.
Exactly what are you talking about? He killed a cop performing an investigation, pal!
FWIW, I have a friend who told me of a recent occurrence at her closed community....a LEO walked right through her open back door un-announced without permission - in order to use IT as a nothing more than a shortcut through the front door and back to his vehicle.
That event is wrong, of course. But that issue has nothing to do with THIS issue about Lasso.
It's just one anecdote, but THIS is the kind of crap people are getting tired of.
Let me remind you of an important characteristic that we all need to exercise: Use reasoned judgment. Don't be hasty in determination of a single report. The media is very slanted.
#26. To: Capitalist Eric, buckeroo, Liberator, *Jack-Booted Thugs* (#22)
This is partly about credibility - and the increasing lack of it
No one was arrested for "domestic disturbance", the call excuse is phony. More likely, the cops were trying to sell drugs and the deal went bad.
"We (government) need to do a lot less, a lot sooner" ~Ron Paul
Obama's watch stopped on 24 May 2008, but he's been too busy smoking crack to notice.
#27. To: hondo68 (#26)
No one was arrested for "domestic disturbance", the call excuse is phony.
That is correct.
The issue was diverted from a potentially minor issue to the murder of a cop that was killed with a shot gun pointed at his face. Neighbors called the cops afterward. That is a fact.
#28. To: hondo68 (#26)
No one was arrested for "domestic disturbance", the call excuse is phony. More likely, the cops were trying to sell drugs and the deal went bad.
You Tea Partiers need to get a grip.
#29. To: hondo68, ALL (#26)
No one was arrested for "domestic disturbance", the call excuse is phony. More likely, the cops were trying to sell drugs and the deal went bad.
I want to correct my earlier post to you because it may give you the wrong impression that I agree with you about the "call was phony."
According to court records of Lasso's last call:Lasso responded to an emergency call at 5:06 p.m. of an argument at 126 Washington St. from William Clancy, the homeowner. Clancy had gotten involved in a dispute with a man he believed to be a neighbor and driving a red truck. Clancy took Lasso to the alley-way where the truck was located — the rear of 440 New St.
Two dogs attacked Lasso, and he called for backup. When Bruneio arrived, he saw Lasso "engaged with the two dogs" in the back yard and pointing his stun at them. Bruneio told him to shoot the dogs. Then a shot rang out and Lasso fell to the ground.
Bruneio told state police he saw the man later identified as Hitcho holding a shotgun and it appeared to have jammed with a spent shell.
When Bruneio ordered him to surrender, Hitcho said: "He's breaking into my house."
Bruneio repeated his command, and Hitcho laid the shotgun on the ground.
After securing Hitcho, Bruneio said he went to Lasso, saw he had "a lot of blood by his head" and "shattered glass" near his body. He radioed in an "officer down" and police and paramedics came in from the borough and neighboring communities.
Lasso was taken to St. Luke's Hospital-Fountain Hill and pronounced dead at 5:42 p.m.
Later in police custody, Hitcho told investigators he ordered Lasso to get off his property if he didn't have a warrant, court records say.
"He tried to kill my dogs and pointed a gun in my face," Hitcho said. "… I do not care if you a cop or not … Unbelievable."
http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-freemansburg-homicide-arraignment-20110812,0,7809192.story?page=2
The call wasn't phony and it did not involve narcotics.
#30. To: hondo68, Capitalist Eric, buckeroo, Liberator (#26)
"No one was arrested for "domestic disturbance", the call excuse is phony. More likely, the cops were trying to sell drugs and the deal went bad."
If Hitcho is telling the truth then officer Lasso was on private property without a warrant, and not a word mentioned about Hitcho being the person of interest in a domestic violence investigation. If the officer was shot on the property, then the dogs were on this property too, not some back alley.
He was last arrested and charged with having 'drug paraphernalia', six years ago, and he has neighbors who don't like him, so this is a good reason to set him up? This whole damn thing smells to high heaven.
"In police custody, the alleged gunman, 46-year-old George Hitcho Jr, said he had told Mr Lasso to get off his property and not come on unless he had a warrant, authorities said."
#31. To: Murron (#30)
Look at my post#29.... it was an investigation of a completely different matter.
#32. To: Murron (#30)
Well, the KNOW the cops would never lie, right?
< /sarc >
The two sides in America are people who work for a living versus people who vote for their living.
#33. To: Capitalist Eric (#32)
Well, the KNOW the cops would never lie, right?< /sarc >
What ever PR firm they're using, it aint workin....lol
Just like us little people, we all get smeared right along with the guilty, and I don't feel one damn bit sorry for cops who still hide behind that thin blue line of brotherhood...people are leary, and they have every right to be.
#34. To: buckeroo, murron (#19)
He shouldn't have shot the cop. Stupid move even if he felt justified. Murron would you recommend that action to one of your grand kids?
#35. To: A K A Stone, buckeroo (#34)
He shouldn't have shot the cop. Stupid move even if he felt justified. Murron would you recommend that action to one of your grand kids?
Of course I would not stone, it was a stupid move, for all involved, I'm still hoping the 'so called' good cops wake up, the corrupt ones are making life hell them to do their jobs and it's just getting worse.
BTW guys, my children were brought up to respect our law enforcement, they were once decent men and women in our area, so much so that my daughter chose law enforcement after graduation...she lasted a few months and decided otherwise. She made a good choice for herself in the long run.
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