ATF raids Gun Shop
tcrpe
owner was killed.
TR
CAP...@webtv.net
info !!!
Thank you for your time and consideration:
With GODS' LOVE Capt JOHN "V"
Mark Denman
>
> TR: Would you please post any particulars you may have - appreciate the
> info !!!
I second that. I live in CA and have heard nothing about this. Did it
even happen?
--
Mark Denman ~E Aho Laula~ <"wider is better">
=======================================================================
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For info, send message INFO ALARUMS-L to MAJO...@ICAN.NET
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*unsolicited e-mail advertising will lead to a complaint to your
postmaster*
tcrpe
(I see the article below shows the press conference is now delayed till this
afternoon). Last night the news hinted that the shop owner had either
committed suicide (arkancide) or had been shot by a Taft Police Department
Officer. They were "still processing the crime scene". No illegal weapons
had been found "yet". Bet they find some stuff by this afternoon. Sad
story. What the hell is the AFT doing?
Taft is the wrong place for the ATF to pull this kind of stunt.
This morning the Bakersfield Californian carried this story:
Man shot to death at Taft gun shop
Filed: October 7, 1998
By FRED LUDWIG
Californian staff writer
e-mail: flu...@bakersfield.com
Kern County sheriff's officials refused to release details about a gun shop
owner apparently killed Wednesday in Taft by police.
Taft residents contacted by The Californian identified the victim as Darryl
Howell, although that could not be confirmed. Law enforcement officials
refused to confirm the identification.
The fatal shooting was connected with an attempt by U.S. Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco and Firearms agents to serve a search warrant, said Sheriff Carl
Sparks. The Sheriff's Department is the lead agency investigating the
shooting, Sparks said.
Sparks said officials were withholding comment because details of the
incident were unclear. Police officials typically release preliminary
conclusions and available facts while investigations are ongoing.
"There will be enough suspicion about this incident without releasing
information that was not really correct," Sparks said.
A press conference will be held at 2 p.m. today to provide details of the
incident, Sparks said.
"ATF is bringing in some of (its) high-level people," Sparks said. "They
want to be there when the press conference is done."
Eunice Howell, Howell's mother, said about 7:30 p.m. she was disappointed
because officials had given her no official notice of the incident.
"I just know my son is dead," she said.
Taft resident Doug Benc said he has been a customer of Howell's store, and
has known him informally for about a year and a half.
Benc said he didn't know what happened Wednesday, but Howell seemed like a
nice, law-abiding man.
Bakersfield resident Kerry Bulls teaches corrections and firearms classes
for Taft College and refers students to the gun shop. Bulls said he has seen
Howell check firearms regulations if not sure about their provisions.
"He was the type of person that was very meticulous on regulations regarding
the sale of firearms," Bulls said.
CAP...@webtv.net wrote in message
<20440-36...@newsd-143.iap.bryant.webtv.net>...
TR: Would you please post any particulars you may have - appreciate the
info !!!
Thank you for your time and consideration:
tcrpe
Per the Kern County Sheriff Carl Spark's press conference this afternoon,
they are going with suicide story. They claim that the victim engaged the
KCSO's SWAT team, the Taft Police and the ATF in a heated gun battle, and in
the heat of battle decided to shoot himself.
The people of Taft are not happy to have one of their well known citizens
gunned down like this. Oh, oops, yea, right, it was suicide.
More as it develops.
TR
tcrpe
This evening the Sheriff was on the locals news. Here's his details on the
"suicide".
The victim was being handcuffed, and managed to grab a gun from "somewhere".
Remember this is while the store is packed with Deputies, ATF goons, and
Taft Police. Anyway he manages to grab a gun from "somewhere" and right
away puts it in his mouth and pulls the trigger!!!
Oh, those other bullet holes in him? Well, when the victim grabs the gun
from "somewhere" and puts it in his mouth and pulls the trigger, one of the
deputies is so shocked by what he is seeing, that he impulsively pulls his
gun out and empties it into the victim before he can hit the floor.
Now my recollection of physics (f=ma, a=32fpss, etc.) and human reaction
times, tells me this story, even if you can swallow the "gun from somewhere"
line and the "instinctive reflex" line doesn't wash. Does it?
TR
Ejucaided Redneck
>
> This evening the Sheriff was on the locals news. Here's his details on the
> "suicide".
> Now my recollection of physics (f=ma, a=32fpss, etc.) and human reaction
> times, tells me this story, even if you can swallow the "gun from somewhere"
> line and the "instinctive reflex" line doesn't wash. Does it?
>
But it'd be nice if you posted another source for the story.
tcrpe
above.
TR
Friends skeptical of official account
Filed: October 8, 1998
By CHRISTINE L. PETERSON
Californian staff writer
e-mail: cpet...@bakersfield.com
Disbelief permeated the tight-knit communities of Taft and Ford City
Thursday as residents and friends of Darryl Howell questioned law
enforcement's account of his death in his gun shop.
The Kern County Sheriff Department's version of the events — that the gun
shop owner grabbed a loaded .45-caliber handgun Wednesday, struggled with
officers and then placed the barrel in his mouth and pulled the trigger —
just didn't fit with what they knew of the father of two.
Sheriff's officials said a Taft police officer, not knowing where the
expended round went, immediately fired three rounds that struck Howell, 45,
on the right side of his body. He died at the scene.
"Everyone in Taft knows this is stupid," said Shannon Ong, 34, Howell's
niece. "They think the police officers are trying to make it seem like he
was a criminal."
Ong believes there could be nothing further from the truth — that the man
who grew up in Taft and graduated from Taft Union High School where
yearbooks say he played football and was in the band was a wonderful man who
ran an upstanding business.
While at least one family member and friends said Howell was vocal in
support of gun rights, they did not believe he would condone any illegal
behavior or sell illegal firearms.
"The way that press release makes him sound, well, he just would have never
done anything like that," Ong said after reading a copy of a sheriff's news
release on the incident.
ATF agents went to Alpha Omega Surplus and Supplies Store as part of a
four-year firearms trafficking investigation, said ATF special agent Tracy
Hite.
She said ATF was assisted in serving a warrant by the Taft Police Department
and Kern County Sheriff's Department.
"This was a lengthy investigation that led us to several locations," Hite
said, explaining that there were search warrants for five locations and
arrest warrants for three people in Kern County.
Ong estimated her uncle had the business for 15 to 20 years, first within
Taft city limits and then in the county.
At the business Thursday, some family members and friends gathered at the
shop. A bumper sticker on a window bore the message: "Only tyrants and
criminals fear honest armed citizens." Recorded programs blared from
speakers outside the shop.
"I just don't understand it," said friend Jamie Walchock.
She said that while she didn't share Howell's support of guns, she respected
him because he looked on the bright side of life, listened to and worked
with people on their problems and was satisfied with making ends meet. She
said Howell talked about moving.
"In the 12 years I have known him, I have never seen him upset," Walchock
said.
To her, Howell was a law-abiding citizen; she said he didn't like helmets so
he stopped riding his motorcycle when the helmet law went into effect.
"I know in a million years he wouldn't ever shoot himself or lunge at a
police officer," Walchock said.
Ken Bishop, who would sometimes visit Howell at his shop, said Howell was
"somewhat of a patriot" and would share his opinions about guns. He said
that law enforcement's statement that Howell had illegal firearms seems "off
the wall."
Mike Hodges, the publisher of Golden Empire Review, said Howell asked to
have a column printed in the paper titled, "Notes from Moron."
Taft was called Moron in 1908, according to "Kern County Place Names." The
city changed its name to Taft in 1909.
In the column, Howell quotes several passages from the Bible.
The column Hodges attributed to Howell states, "It is not an hone to be in
the Militia! It is our God-given duty! We are commanded to be his soldiers.
It is time to lay aside our ‘daily' jobs and return to duty! R&R is over! To
arms, to arms! Where are His soldiers?
"Right now, where is your squad members? Right now can you honestly state
that you are aware of their location and their ability to respond to duty?"
Hodges said after Howell died, he reread the column.
"It gave me an eerie, shaky feeling," Hodges said.
He said he didn't believe Howell would ever resist arrest. While Howell
didn't agree with some gun legislation, he abided by it, Hodges said.
"I know Darryl wouldn't kill himself and he wouldn't hurt someone else,"
Hodges said.
"My personal experience is he was a real giving person."
Ejucaided Redneck wrote in message <361DAE...@yall.com>...
tcrpe
The Coroner has completed that autopsy on the victim in this case. Sgt.
Glen Johnson of the Kern County Sheriff's Office announces that the autopsy
shows that the bullet to the head killed the shop owner. Interestingly,
there was no exit wound. According to the coroner, the other bullets
riddling the body did not kill him.
The Coroner's Office is part of the Sheriff's department in Kern County.
The people of Taft are up in arms over this killing, and no one in town
believes a word coming from the authorities.
TR
tcrpe
Bakersfield talk show going on now. Mostly people from Taft. The cop (Sgt.
Ed Whiting) that killed the shop owner and the shop had a long relationship
with no love lost. The cop is disliked by many in town. Perfect choice to
send along with the ATF.
Store owner was murdered at 10am. The coroner's office arrived at about
5pm. Seven hours to get their stories straight and fix whatever evidence
would be needed. Official statement took 36 hours for the KCSO to produce.
A woman (Denise) just finished her call and laid out this litany:
1. Everyone in Taft hates the cops and are guilty of anti-law enforcement
bias. "They don't want anything to do with law enforcement."
2. She claims that the shop owner often boasted that "they'd never take
me alive". When pressed for details, it dissolved into an obvious lie.
3. The shop owner was a fat guy.
4. he was like any other serial killer, just like Ted Bundy.
Wanna bet she was the cop's wife, or the wife of another cop.
Store owner is survived by his wife and two children.
TR
tcrpe
Evening news reports the following on the murder in Taft.
Taft Police Department Whiting is well known in Taft. Has stated to many in
Taft that he ran the town, and he did not believe that anyone except police
officers should have guns. Made many threats to"shut down" Darryl Howell
and his gun shop. Also Whiting was a Kern County Sheriff's Deputy until
1982, when he was canned for being unfit.
People interviewed by the local TV station expressed either doubt about cops
"story" or declined to comment because they didn't want to be "hounded" by
the Taft Police Department. A large crowd gathered in Taft to protest the
murder.
Looks like Whiting managed to carry out his threat to "shut down" Darryl
Howell. Most people described Howell as a "big teddy bear of a man" and/or
fastidiously law abiding.
Looks like the Second Amendment has been rescinded in Taft by Sgt. Whiting.
Howell is survived by his wife and two children.
TR
MO CAFEEN
"tcrpe",
I don't see much in the way of responses to your posts on this story, so I just
wanted to let you know that *I*, for one, am paying attention. Please keep
posting updates. Didn't want you to think there wasn't interest in the story.
MO
tcrpe
leaving flowers and small American flags in a makeshift sidewalk shrine.
The Taft Police Chief is mum. The Kern County Sheriff was seen today at the
Bakersfield Business Conference describing in great detail the finer points
of the 'executive porta-potties' but declined further comment on the killing
in Taft. First things first, I guess.
The people of Taft are being told to calm down and wait for the results of
an official ATF inquiry. They do not appear to be reassured by that
promise.
More as it surfaces . . . . .
TR
jim_...@my-dejanews.com
"tcrpe" <tc...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Bakersfield talk show going on now. Mostly people from Taft. The cop (Sgt.
> Ed Whiting) that killed the shop owner and the shop had a long relationship
> with no love lost.
Careful. You said the owner reportedly killed himself, now you say this
cop killed him? Even if you think it's a cover up, how do you know what
'really' happened?
> Store owner was murdered at 10am. The coroner's office arrived at about
> 5pm.
That sounds almost too good to be true. Who is the source for this time
information? Is this your home town or are you getting this info somewhere
else? I don't question your veracity (yet?) but am curious why this news
seemingly has not escaped the town limits. At least I have heard nothing, and
this is the kind of sick story the news usually loves around here.
Checked the LA paper and found no mention of this. Not sure how good their
search engine is, tho.
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
Jim Alder
example. Hate to be skeptical, but I'm starting to wonder about this story.
There IS a Darryl Howell listed in Taft, but no Eunice or Whiting, tho both
could be unlisted. There is also no listing for an Alpha Omega Surplus and
Supplies Store, tho there are three stores starting with Alpha, none of
which fit the category (so I know my search technique wasn't faulty. I found
lots of gun stores in town, and think it curious that there is no mention of
an address in any of the news stories quoted.
I checked the archives for the LA Times, about 100 miles from Taft, and
there is nothing about this story for the past seven days. No mention of
Taft or Howell. Someone's idea of a good time, perpetuating a fake news
story? I've heard stranger pasttimes.
>Looks like the Second Amendment has been rescinded in Taft by Sgt. Whiting.
>
>Howell is survived by his wife and two children.
CC to tcrpe - sorry, guy, if my accusation is off target. If it isn't, tho,
get stuffed and grow up.
Jim Alder
from Taft. For what that's worth (not much).
Jim Alder wrote in message <6vs7t4$r4q$1...@news2.ee.net>...
tcrpe
twice each month. It's an oil town.
jim_...@my-dejanews.com wrote in message
<6vs50m$1hs$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
>In article <IsuT1.10$m51....@news.giganews.com>,
> "tcrpe" <tc...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>> Bakersfield talk show going on now. Mostly people from Taft. The cop
(Sgt.
>> Ed Whiting) that killed the shop owner and the shop had a long
relationship
>> with no love lost.
>
> Careful. You said the owner reportedly killed himself, now you say
this
>cop killed him? Even if you think it's a cover up, how do you know what
>'really' happened?
I know because the authorities told me what happened.
>
>> Store owner was murdered at 10am. The coroner's office arrived at about
>> 5pm.
>
>That sounds almost too good to be true. Who is the source for this time
>information? Is this your home town or are you getting this info somewhere
>else? I don't question your veracity (yet?) but am curious why this news
>seemingly has not escaped the town limits. At least I have heard nothing,
and
>this is the kind of sick story the news usually loves around here.
Information from KGET television, a network affiliate.
>
>Checked the LA paper and found no mention of this. Not sure how good their
>search engine is, tho.
I found nothing in the LA Times either.
If you guys think this is BS, I'll not post it. Others have e-mailed me
directly and asked me to continue. If you guys want me to stop, I'll stop.
OK?
TR
tcrpe
KERO, KBAK, and KGET television stations, all network affiliates. Also,
there's the "problem" of the dead body.
You really think I made this stuff up? Sheesh. . . . .
TR
Jim Alder wrote in message <6vs7t4$r4q$1...@news2.ee.net>...
Mark Denman
area. It was not reported for about 3 days which made me skeptical, but
then it was reported.
Jim Alder
Jim Alder wrote in message <6vs7t4$r4q$1...@news2.ee.net>...
>CC to tcrpe - sorry, guy, if my accusation is off target. If it isn't, tho,
>get stuffed and grow up.
Okay, let it not be said that I don't know when I'm wrong. I did say "if",
of course, but maybe a little more looking was in order. Of course, as you
all can see, it was 2:30 in the morning. I was all researched out.
But those of you who want to can follow this story in the Bakersfield
Californian, which I only found today;
They have a nice search setup there,. and the articles are there with
pictures. There's a little more detail than we've gotten to date that makes
the shooting sound a little less suspicious, but it has a Randy Weaver taste
to it, just the same. It bears watching.
Still don't know why the gun shop wasn't listed in the yellow pages, but it
wasn't.
tcrpe
ATF bugwigs show up in Bakersfield from Washington, and the story has
absolutely vanished from the local news.
Perhaps it was having Bush, Dole, Steve Forbes, Gorbachev, Lech Walenska
(?), Colin Powell, Peter Jennings, Nelson Mandela and the rest of the
international set in town that diverted their attention. On the other hand.
. . . . .
TR
Mark Denman wrote in message <36228A...@pacbell.net>...
tcrpe
Media logjam breaks tonight at 10pm local. Execution victim's family hires
attorney.
More later.
TR
jim_...@my-dejanews.com
"tcrpe" <tc...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> If it's a hoax it's been perpetrated by the Bakersfield Californian, and the
> KERO, KBAK, and KGET television stations, all network affiliates. Also,
> there's the "problem" of the dead body.
>
> You really think I made this stuff up? Sheesh. . . . .
Nope, not anymore. I apologize wholeheartedly. I didn't find the
"Californian" until just now, and lo and behold, found the article below.
Sorry, TR, but even after all this time, I have trouble believing they can
keep these stories bottled up. Don't be insulted - I don't know you from
Adam, so it's not like a friend doubted your credibility. You could be
anybody on here, and you must admit not everyone is sterling in character?
Again, my mistake.
3-year gun probe led to Taft shooting
Filed: October 9, 1998
By JONATHAN NELSON
Californian staff writer
e-mail: jne...@bakersfield.com
Dana Lee, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms,
sat across from Mark L. Reed Feb. 2, 1995, and stared down the barrel of a
Beretta .22-caliber pistol.
"The Israeli Mossad carries the same weapon," Reed reportedly told the
undercover agent. "With light subsonic ammunition and with a rag or pillow
over the barrel you can't hear the muzzle report."
The weapon lowered and Lee eventually walked from Reed's photo shop in
Bakersfield with a $400 FEG 9-mm pistol he had just purchased illegally.
The exchange three years ago began a long and detailed investigation into
three gun enthusiasts who bought, sold, and built illegal guns, according to
documents filed against the men in federal court.
The investigation ended Wednesday and so did the life of 45-year-old Darryl
Howell, owner of Alpha Omega Surplus and Supplies Store in Taft.
As ATF agents wrestled with Howell, the gun dealer grabbed a .45-caliber
handgun and fired a single fatal shot into his mouth, according to a report
from the Kern County Coroner's office.
Sgt. Ed Whiting of the Taft Police Department fired three more shots into
Howell, an act that has angered the Taft community and drew comparisons to
other ATF operations, such as Waco, Texas, and Ruby Ridge, Idaho.
Whiting is on administrative leave and declined to comment.
Police Chief Bert Pumphrey was out of the office Friday and unavailable for
comment on Whiting's actions.
A sheriff's official confirmed that Whiting did not pass a one-year
probationary period to be a deputy with the Kern County Sheriff's Department
in 1983. He joined the Taft department in 1985.
Howell's shooting occurred as ATF and local police departments were serving
several search warrants in Kern County.
The investigation began with Reed and widened to include Howell and Richard M.
Spielman.
All three men are charged in federal court on a variety of weapon violations.
The investigation began in August 1994 when an informant contacted ATF
officials and claimed Reed was violating several gun laws, the documents
state.
The informant and Lee met several times with Reed to arrange the purchase of
machine guns.
Lee states in court papers how he bought a machine gun from Reed in 1996 and
how the informant purchased two machine guns in 1995.
During a meeting at Reed's photo laboratory on July 3, 1995 between the
informant and Reed, Howell was also present.
Reed told the informant he didn't need to worry about Howell.
The investigation then expanded to include Howell and eventually Spielman.
Between 1995 and 1998, an informant purchased two machine guns and several
handguns from Howell, the federal documents state.
The handgun sales were done without Howell filing the proper federal and
state paperwork or the informant observing the required five-day waiting
period after buying a handgun.
Spielman's charges stemmed from his use of illegal gun dealer documents to buy
20 cases of Chinese ammunition and his purchase of a machine gun kit from 52-
year-old Alvin Seal, court papers allege. Spielman then built the machine gun
and sold it to the informant.
Seal, who owns the War Bunker memorabilia and gun store in Oildale, was
arrested in September for investigation of several weapon violations when ATF
agents raided his store and seized more than 250 firearms.
Along with the specifics of when gun sales occurred, the federal documents
portrayed a world where guns are easily bought and sold by people who often
espoused anti-government statements.
During one conversation with informants and Lee, Howell called himself a
skinhead militia member and Reed complained about a ban on assault weapons and
the actions of President Clinton, Attorney General Janet Reno and U.S. Sen.
Dianne Feinstein.
Californian staff writer Christine L. Peterson contributed to this story.
tcrpe
There's and article in todays Bakersfield California, print edition, but
their internet edition is experiencing technical difficulties. As soon as
the ATF allows them back online, I'll post.
Till then, the following commentary, stolen from \Vayne Mann:
Fir those of you still thinking that I am fabricating this stuff -- "move
along folks, the show's over".
Disarm the BATF
Joseph Farah
Another day, another debacle for the Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
This time, the scene is not Waco, Texas, or
Ruby Ridge, Idaho, but Taft, California --
another hotbed of "anti-government activity."
According to the federal government's own
account, the BATF began an investigation into
illegal firearms sales by people espousing
anti-government rhetoric three or four years
ago with an undercover agent allegedly
making an illegal purchase of a .22-caliber
pistol.
It ended last week with one of the three
targets of the federal government probe dead
in a highly unusual -- and, yes, improbable --
incident.
The official story goes something like this:
Two BATF agents, a Kern County sheriff's
deputy and Sgt. Ed Whiting of the Taft Police
Department attempted to take into custody on
illegal firearms trafficking charges, Darryl
Howell, a 45-year-old grandfather and owner
of a surplus store that sold, among other
things, guns and ammunition.
A struggle between the BATF agents and
Howell ensued. The cops say he broke away
from them, lunged for a .45-caliber handgun,
put it into his mouth and fired a single shot.
Whiting, the story goes, had become
temporarily distracted during the scuffle.
When he heard the single shot, he
instinctively aimed his gun at Howell and
fired three more shots into his already,
presumably, lifeless body.
Now, if you believe that, I have an
intercontinental ballistic missile I'd like to sell
you.
I'm not a cop, and I've never played one on
TV. But I have reported on enough crime
stories in my day to know when one stinks to
high heaven. And this one smells like a cattle
ranch on a windless, summer day in
California's Central Valley.
Let me see if I have this straight. Four cops,
one "suspect." This wanted outlaw -- so
dangerous he's been under scrutiny of federal
law enforcement for nearly four years -- is
confronted not in his home, not on his lunch
break, not on his way to work or after he locks
up, but during the workday in a store loaded
with firearms. Even though he's not accused
of being on PCP or any other drugs, he cannot
be physically subdued by four officers. They
are unable to persuade him to come along
peacefully or handcuff him involuntarily.
Instead, he is permitted by these highly
trained law enforcement professionals to grab
one of his guns. But they don't shoot him right
away. Oh no. They allow him to pick up the
handgun, bring it all the way up to his mouth
and pull the trigger. Only then, we are told,
does one of the officers, who wasn't paying
attention, pump the desperado full of lead.
Do these BATF clowns ever learn? Either
these guys are Washington's answer to the
Keystone Kops, or we have on the loose a
cold, calculating, professional, Gestapo-like
killing machine designed to root out
dissidents exercising their Second
Amendment rights and blow them away
without the messiness of trials and due
process.
How many times does America need to see
such tragedies before it wakes up and
disarms these dangerous, out-of-control,
gun-slinging hitmen? The inmates are running
the asylum, folks. Beam me up.
There is no allegation made by any of these
cowboys that Howell or any others charged in
a series of raids in the town of Taft last week
had provided weapons to criminals or
represented a threat to law-abiding citizens
anywhere. In fact, I personally would have felt
a lot safer in Taft last week, before Mr. Howell
was "suicided" than I would today. I think
most Americans would.
Let's suspend our own cognitive skills and
good judgment for a moment and pretend the
cops' story is 100 percent accurate. Was the
four-year investigation worth it? Was it a
prudent investment of taxpayer dollars? Why
aren't these law-enforcement heroes out
investigating real crimes of violence against
innocent victims, instead of conducting
secretive sting operations designed to entrap
people into violating inherently
unconstitutional laws?
But, you know what? Such talk can get you in
trouble these days. One of the BATF agents
responsible for this tragedy said one of
Howell's friends had (gasp!) complained
about a ban on "assault weapons" and the
actions of President Clinton, Attorney General
Janet Reno and U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
At the risk of inviting a similar assault on my
home or business, let me pick up that cry:
These are, indeed, some of the people who
represent a real threat to our lives and liberty
in America today.
jim_...@my-dejanews.com
"tcrpe" <tc...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> This is curious. The local media is abuzz with this story. Saturday the
> ATF bugwigs show up in Bakersfield from Washington, and the story has
> absolutely vanished from the local news.
Not quite:
Family seeks probe in Taft gun dealer's death
Filed: October 12, 1998
By STEVE E. SWENSON
Californian staff writer
e-mail: sswe...@bakersfield.com
The family of Taft gun shop owner Darryl Howell has hired an attorney to
investigate the circumstances of his death last week, which officials have
said was a suicide during a federal arrest.
Kern County sheriff's Sgt. Glenn Johnson reported Monday that Howell, 45,
shot himself in the mouth with a .45-caliber handgun during a struggle with a
federal agent and then was shot three times by Taft police Sgt. Ed Whiting,
who acted to protect the federal agent.
Whiting could not see how Howell fired the first shot because Howell and the
federal agent had their backs to him, Johnson said.
Part of the controversy is that Whiting reportedly did not get along with
Howell and was outside of the city's jurisdiction.
Whiting's past also includes failing in 1983 to complete his probationary
period with the Sheriff's Department after he and another deputy were accused
of using excessive force on a handcuffed suspect in the jail.
The other officer was fired but won reinstatement after a two-year appeals
process.
Relatives and friends of Howell are convinced he never would try to kill
himself and they want an independent investigation of the incident that
occurred last Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the cramped quarters of Howell's store,
Alpha Omega Surplus and Supplies Store, 2011Ú2 Harrison St.
Attorney James L. Faulkner of Bakersfield confirmed Monday he has been hired
by Howell's family, including his son, Buck Howell, 21, and daughter, Judy
Howell, 24, to investigate the circumstances of the death.
Faulkner said he will seek a court order this week to obtain investigation
reports in the case.
Those reports were not completed Monday, and some reports — such as the
autopsy report and technical investigation reports on ballistics and
fingerprints — aren't expected to be completed for two or more weeks, Johnson
said.
Nonetheless, Johnson said, enough information is expected to be available for
him to meet this week with Taft Police Chief Bert Pumphrey and begin the
process of a police review of Whiting's shooting.
Pumphrey said that review would be conducted by himself and a lieutenant. In
the meantime, Whiting is on administrative assignment, the chief said.
Memorial service arrangements for Howell remain pending. His family has
established a memorial fund at Taft National Bank to help cope with burial and
other expenses.
Johnson provided some new details Monday of how the shooting occurred.
He said two agents of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were
accompanied by Whiting and sheriff's Senior Deputy Bob Bendle to go to
Howell's business at 10 a.m. shortly after it opened. Federal agents are
commonly accompanied by local officers who know the people and buildings of
those being arrested, Johnson said.
Johnson said he was not authorized to identify the ATF agents. The ATF was
closed Monday for the Columbus Day holiday.
One ATF agent, followed by Whiting, Bendle and another ATF agent, went single
file to a counter where he contacted Howell on the patron side, Johnson said.
The agent informed Howell he had search and arrest warrants stemming from
Howell reportedly selling two unlawful machine guns and several handguns
without lawful waiting periods and paperwork between 1995 and 1998.
The agent patted down Howell's 315-pound body for weapons and found none.
As the agent attempted to handcuff Howell, Howell bolted and went around the
counter where he retrieved a .45-caliber handgun, Johnson said.
The first ATF agent yelled "gun" and struggled with Howell, saying "don't do
it," as the other three officers drew their own .40-caliber weapons, Johnson
said.
A shot was fired as the agent and Howell had their backs to Whiting, Johnson
said.
Whiting fired three shots into Howell's side while Howell was still standing,
Johnson said.
Bendle and the second ATF agent were able to see that Howell shot himself in
the mouth and they did not fire their weapons, Johnson said.
What is believed to be a .45-caliber bullet was retrieved from Howell's skull
area, Johnson said. It has not yet been analyzed to determine if it came from
Howell's gun, he said.
Howell's gun has not yet been analyzed for fingerprints, if any, Johnson said.
No security camera was in the store recording the event, Johnson and Faulkner
said.
tcrpe
Attorney for family of murdered man to hold press conference o/a 10-20-98.
He obtained court order for the release of all reports, photos, etc. The
KCSO says they have not finished their incident report yet. It's been over
a week. Trying to get the story straight?
tcrpe
Filed: October 15, 1998
The Bakersfield Californian
Howell was patriotic man
Once upon a time America was an awesome place to live wondrous and
enviable before the world. What happened in Ford City on Oct. 7 killed, in
many minds, what little was left of that dream.
Our community has lost Darryl Howell a patriotic American, a man familiar
with and testifying to the word of our Lord. Those who caused this pain will
answer to an authority higher than any manmade law.
Darryl's friends knew that the only way to do business with him was
according to the book. He knew and joked about being under surveillance for
at least the past four years. Only a fool would carry on illegal trade while
fully aware that he was being watched. He was no fool. Nobody will ever
convince me that he sold even one machine gun to an agent.
Darryl was not a coward, nor did he fear the truth. Darryl was a survivor!
He believed in the sanctity of life. Nobody will ever convince me that
Darryl committed suicide.
We may never be told the whole truth of what happened to this man, anymore
than we were told the whole truth of what happened to the people at their
church-home in Waco, Texas, or to the family at Ruby Ridge, Idaho.
My heart aches due to the callous hearts and wicked minds of those who wield
the rule of law. Taft has lost a good man, a trusted friend and neighbor.
JOANNE CAMPBELL
Taft
Grand jury probe needed
Who defends Darryl Howell? Just what exactly was he guiltly of? I have heard
accusations, but where is the proof. Having the sheriff conduct a so-called
investigation into this matter is like having the mice investigate the rats.
Howell was by all accounts a law-biding citizen. His death in this fashion
should call for a grand jury investigation at the very least.
This sort of thing is all too common in Taft.
MIKE DORAN
Taft
Officers trigger-happy
The tragedy in Taft brings to mind a question. Can the ATF arrest anyone
without killing them? The automatic weapon evidence is questionable. The
weapons may have been bought at the store legally then modified to become
automatic weapons (manufacturing of evidence) or were automatic weapons
bought legally (yes, you can buy the weapons with a background check and
license) and BATF in Washington, D.C., voided the aplication without
informing Howell.
Sgt. Whiting reportedly never saw the scuffle and may have been urged to
shoot with the words being shouted, "Gun, gun, gun!" Paranoia was planted in
the sergeant's mind by the ATF with stories of machine guns. Howell is
likely pleading from heaven above for justice.
Howell did not commit suicide. He was murdered. I plead with the district
attorney to convene a grand jury to investigate. If the ATF wants to control
guns to criminals, go after the gangs and gangbangers. But you would not be
able to shoot the unarmed or innocent. When was the last time ATF visited
East LA?
J. ALEX BOHACHEFF
Augusta, Ga.
Ejucaided Redneck
>
> A sampling of public opinion from today's Bakersfield Californian, snipped:
> Can the ATF arrest anyone without killing them?
They do it all the time. And the ATF didn't kill Howell, some inept
failed cop did. Was *I* living in the area, I'd want to know who in the
hell hired this guy, given his record.
> Sgt. Whiting reportedly never saw the scuffle and may have been urged to
> shoot with the words being shouted, "Gun, gun, gun!" Paranoia was planted in
> the sergeant's mind by the ATF with stories of machine guns.
Sounds to me like he had some problems --or at least a history-- long
before this.
-----
She kicked out my windshield,
She hit me over the head.
She cussed and cried and said I'd lied
And wished that I was dead...
--- "Pistol Packin' Mama," Al Dexter
tcrpe
idiot Taft cop. Howell was already dead when Whiting pumped three ore into
the body.
Whiting carries on a years long, well known in Taft, vendetta against
Howell. Many people in town had heard Whiting threaten to shut Howell down,
and to run him out of town.
More as it develops. . . . .
TR
Ejucaided Redneck wrote in message <36279E...@yall.com>...