On November 8, 2016, the Azusa Police Department was called out to Memorial Park for reports of a man with body armor at the polling place. The department already had a unit in place in case there were problems at the polls, so they deployed it to this location.
Initial Assessment
When the officers arrived, instead of people calmly voting, they found danger and chaos. There was a shooter across the street in a home. One man was unconscious on the sidewalk, and two cars had crashed.
One of the women involved in the crash was injured, and an older woman was dead. Since it was after 2 pm, the nearby middle and pre-schools were about to let the children out to go home.
According to data collected from those at the scene, it seemed like the shooter was specifically targeting the polls. However, no one knew if he was on his own or if there were others with him.
Officer Plascencia attempted to help one of the injured women out of her vehicle and out of the line of fire. The woman had been shot in the head and was very disoriented.
She struggled against Officer Plascencia as he tried to get her to safety. Another officer, Sergeant Torres, covered Plascencia so he could get her away from the gunfire.
Backups Arrival
Sergeants Smith and Chapman, and Corporal Rodrigues all got to the scene along with other officers. They fired back at the gunman, alleviating some of the fire on the other officers.
Corporal Avila, Corporal Wenrick, and Detective Campos all moved to draw the shooter out of his home. The gunman got into a shootout and died. One of the victims died in the ambulance, while several others were badly injured.
All of the men received the Medal of Valor for risking their lives to save their fellow officers and the civilians who were out there that day, just trying to vote.
I can't imagine some people wanting to cut funding from the law enforcement agencies that serve to protect them. Most of the folks who work in Law Enforcement are good people! Yes, there are a few that can be badge heavy, but most are not. The Officers are looking out to do whatever they can to keep law and order, protect the innocent from the criminals, and in emergency situations they give their all to save lives!
Living in the Pacific Northwest, I was really disturbed about the protests that occurred in Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington, along with others that were occuring in our other large cities across America. Most were happening in Sanctuary Cities ran by Democrat Politicians. These Leftist Politicians appeared to be working with the Liberal Mainstream Media to put the police in a bad light. Meanwhile, so called "peaceful protestors" looted and burned public and private property, some night after night! Police tried to keep the peace while being attacked, and had "their hands tied" by the politicians who ran the cities. In places like Portland, Oregon the District Attorney seemed more interested in prosecuting police officers for trying to stop the chaos and mayhem. If the "Rule of Law" is not enforced, you will have anarchy, as evidenced what we have been seeing on our news, with most news outlets biased to the left, in bed with the leftist politicians and their wealthy puppet masters!
The MOST important lesson to learn here as with many crime problems is WATCH WHO YOU ARE VOTING FOR - - law & order candidates or those who want to give the CRIMIONAL the open door!!! MANY OF THE PEOPLE MUST RETHINK THEIR POLITICS AND WHO THEY WANT TO PROTECT - IT IS EITHER US OR THE CRIMINAL - how and where do your candidates stand? THAT is more important than their looks, personalities, who they married & how many times...pay the MOST ATTENTION on their beliefs, their politics, their respect of the Constitution AND the laws under which we ALL must live. STOP THE ANTI-AMERICAN and push the PRO-AMERICAN agenda!!!!
Who was the shooter? Failure to reveal that information causes more angst than facts, and speaks volumes.
The 45 year old shooter on cocaine was Carlos Mendez.
Was very bad, but don't recall national headlines.
More bad garbage removed from the streets. Thank you, first responders.