BLM Ranger shoots offroader

[rivermobster]

Been using public lands for over 50 years. Never had a positive had a posi positive experience with the BLM. Plenty with forestry that have been positive. I've never seen BLM protecting anything. Have seen him creeping around our camp at 3 a.m. looking for bottles in our trash though. I have seen them try to tell a bunch of families camping to leave because they didn't have a permit for a rave though. Have had them come into our empty campsite except for me, trying to trick me into telling them which motorcycle was mine. I could go on with stories you wouldn't even believe. When they enter our can't they are not acknowledged. I'm not obligated to talk to them. I belong to an organization that pays them tens of thousands of dollars for no service at all other then using land four events that we've been having for 60 years. Don't really want to say how I truly feel about the BLM.
And monster I hope your comment about "most" people going to the desert just to f*** s*** up was sarcasm.

Not at all...

I have an online friend I've known for Years that fought hard to keep Sand Mountain open.

He would show up at meetings saying how responsible the duning community was, and the other side would show up with vids of some aholes destroying the same dunes he was fighting to keep open. And not just one vid either, lots of em. Far more evidence than he had.

After awhile, he just gave up. He learned there really were far more aholes than good guys.

As far as me personally, I've only had One bad experience. All of my other direct encounters with the blm or forestry have been positive.

(im 60, and have been off-roadong as long as i can remember) I've had my fair share of encounters.

 

[DrunkenSailor]

I find this particular incident shocking and I'm anxious to learn the facts as they emerge.
I will preface this by stating, I don't go to Glamis, or have I ever had an encounter with BLM.
I certainly don't believe there's any excuse for shooting anybody in the execution of their duties, unless it's for their own self protection.

I'm only commenting here because I'm a bit surprised that you and a few others don't feel that BLM law enforcement officers shouldn't be armed for self protection or to establish command authority while enforcing federal law, which after all, is what they're paid to do.

Most of these officers operate in a desolate and isolated environment, backup if required, is not a few minutes away, it can be an hour or more. Most of these areas aren't as populated as Glamis or other nearby OHV areas, they're extremely remote. Not everybody these officers encounter are innocent offroaders, they're well armed hunters, poachers, drug runners (Think remote landing fields as one example), squatters, meth labs, etc etc., it's the wild fucking west out there.
My wife and I do our offroading in the mountains and washes in the area of our AZ ranch property, almost everybody we've encountered over the years (Not many I admit) have been armed. Hell, all my ranch neighbors, men and women alike, are all sportin holsters on their hips. As such, when we venture out into them hills, so are we, because you just never know who you might run into out there.

So why would you expect these officers to operate in this environment and not have the ability to protect themselves ?
A lot of members on here won't drive to Havasu on public roads without the ability to protect themselves, let alone in a situation where it might just be you, cactus and criminals with guns and a shovel.

I get your point and I agree that an officer should be armed. The point is I don't believe that BLM is an agency that should have officers. From their website:

OUR MISSION
The Bureau of Land Management's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.



A MULTIPLE-USE AND SUSTAINED YIELD MISSION
Congress tasked the BLM with a mandate of managing public lands for a variety of uses such as energy development, livestock grazing, recreation, and timber harvesting while ensuring natural, cultural, and historic resources are maintained for present and future use.

This multiple-use approach enables our agency to prioritize and advance the President’s priorities which include energy independence, shared conservation stewardship, keeping our borders safe, putting Americans back to work, and serving the American family.

To do this, we manage public lands to maximize opportunities for commercial, recreational, and conservation activities. This promotes healthy and productive public lands that create jobs in local communities while supporting traditional land uses such as responsible energy development, timber harvesting, grazing, and recreation, including hunting and fishing.

Dennis Mclane a former BLM Ranger and the first Chief Ranger at the national level. He wrote a book entitled Seldom Heard an Encouraging Word which is a fairly comprehensive history of the BLM and its forebear's. If you want to go down a pretty serious rabbit hole check out his website: http://www.landmanagementle.com/le/default.cfm

The BLM's policing division has never been popular and has been mired in controversy long before it's founding. The General Land Office, the main predecessor to the BLM, was initially charged with protecting timber, policing illegal homesteading and fencing on public lands. Timber was the first issue the agency dealt with then as the country began to expand illegal fencing was at the forefront. The power of agents had grown and shrunk as lawmakers and public opinion have had different effects on the agency at different times. In 1885 their responsibilities and abilities were greatly defined in the 1885 Unlawful Enclosures Act. The key to this act being that POTUS had the power to remove fencing and structures illegally built on public lands. The courts defined this as "police powers" given by POTUS to the BLM agents under his employ. The law also added a provision that US Marshals and the Military should be used for what McLane calls "backup" but what I read as enforcement. Up until 1900 there was one agent per territory who investigated and then with the help of a district attorney filed charges. There were only 40 agents in employ so their actual enforcement abilities were minor.

The GLO and the Grazing service were combined in 1946 to create the BLM. In the 50's the BLM had to refer enforcement to the Interior Solicitors Office. It wasn't until 1968 that the BLM published The California Desert study and recommended that they recruit and train uniformed rangers with the goal of providing public services and surveillance. The Desert Ranger program was implemented in 1972. They did not have authorization to designate law enforcement employees so the emphasis remained on information and education. It wasn't until 1974 that the BLM had its own law enforcement division. This resulted from the Wild Free-roaming Horse and Burro Act where they were given the authority to designate law enforcement officers but the scope was only in the enforcement of this law.

In 1976 the shit hit the proverbial fan when the Organic Act was passed in large part due to the Barstow to Vegas motorcycle race and its alleged effect on the environment. The last legal race was held in 1974 after the which the BLM performed a study on the impact and determined that 7500 acres of wildlife habitat was being destroyed. They denied the permit in 1975 but the race went on anyway and continued illegally until 1978. In 78 the BLM got a court to issue an injunction against the race but again the race occurred anyway. The BLM tried to have the racers held in contempt of court but the court orchestrated a settlement agreement instead that the race would not be held in 79. The BLM sent 13 agents to stop the race with back up from the Sheriff in 79. The Sheriff backed out due to political pressure and the racers told the BLM agents that they would shoot anyone who got in their way so the BLM observed the race instead of trying to stop it. For 3 more years the race continued illegally until the BLM made an amendment to the California Desert Plan that allowed the race for 7 more years. In 1989 emergency protection was given to the desert tortoise under the Endangered Species Act and the BLM denied the permit. In 1990 they came out in full force with the Sheriff in tow and arrested 10 people. The Organic Act gave the BLM the ability to fully police Federal Lands and enforce the environmental protection laws on Federal Land. This is slippery as hell as this essentially created a Federal police force which is a violation to the general authority ceded to the States. They got around this by giving the BLM the ability to cooperate with local law enforcement through reimbursable law enforcement agreements. This was necessary as in the 70's as in the past there were only 1 or 2 BLM agents in a given State. The legal limit for BLM rangers was 17 until it was expanded in 1984. Today there are 300 agents.

My point to all of this is that never have the BLM nor should the BLM have police powers. They are a government agency that should be working with local law enforcement to deal with any crime occurring on Federal land. That was their initial mission but time and time again the BLM has overstepped their authority. Shooting a passenger in SXS is just the latest instance.

 

[DrunkenSailor]

And no way in hell should they have the ability to write a citation for a DUI, speeding, registration, etc... I run over a plant call the sheriff and have him issue me a citation.

 

[Taboma]

I get your point and I agree that an officer should be armed. The point is I don't believe that BLM is an agency that should have officers. From their website:

OUR MISSION
The Bureau of Land Management's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.



A MULTIPLE-USE AND SUSTAINED YIELD MISSION
Congress tasked the BLM with a mandate of managing public lands for a variety of uses such as energy development, livestock grazing, recreation, and timber harvesting while ensuring natural, cultural, and historic resources are maintained for present and future use.

This multiple-use approach enables our agency to prioritize and advance the President’s priorities which include energy independence, shared conservation stewardship, keeping our borders safe, putting Americans back to work, and serving the American family.

To do this, we manage public lands to maximize opportunities for commercial, recreational, and conservation activities. This promotes healthy and productive public lands that create jobs in local communities while supporting traditional land uses such as responsible energy development, timber harvesting, grazing, and recreation, including hunting and fishing.

Dennis Mclane a former BLM Ranger and the first Chief Ranger at the national level. He wrote a book entitled Seldom Heard an Encouraging Word which is a fairly comprehensive history of the BLM and its forebear's. If you want to go down a pretty serious rabbit hole check out his website: http://www.landmanagementle.com/le/default.cfm

The BLM's policing division has never been popular and has been mired in controversy long before it's founding. The General Land Office, the main predecessor to the BLM, was initially charged with protecting timber, policing illegal homesteading and fencing on public lands. Timber was the first issue the agency dealt with then as the country began to expand illegal fencing was at the forefront. The power of agents had grown and shrunk as lawmakers and public opinion have had different effects on the agency at different times. In 1885 their responsibilities and abilities were greatly defined in the 1885 Unlawful Enclosures Act. The key to this act being that POTUS had the power to remove fencing and structures illegally built on public lands. The courts defined this as "police powers" given by POTUS to the BLM agents under his employ. The law also added a provision that US Marshals and the Military should be used for what McLane calls "backup" but what I read as enforcement. Up until 1900 there was one agent per territory who investigated and then with the help of a district attorney filed charges. There were only 40 agents in employ so their actual enforcement abilities were minor.

The GLO and the Grazing service were combined in 1946 to create the BLM. In the 50's the BLM had to refer enforcement to the Interior Solicitors Office. It wasn't until 1968 that the BLM published The California Desert study and recommended that they recruit and train uniformed rangers with the goal of providing public services and surveillance. The Desert Ranger program was implemented in 1972. They did not have authorization to designate law enforcement employees so the emphasis remained on information and education. It wasn't until 1974 that the BLM had its own law enforcement division. This resulted from the Wild Free-roaming Horse and Burro Act where they were given the authority to designate law enforcement officers but the scope was only in the enforcement of this law.

In 1976 the shit hit the proverbial fan when the Organic Act was passed in large part due to the Barstow to Vegas motorcycle race and its alleged effect on the environment. The last legal race was held in 1974 after the which the BLM performed a study on the impact and determined that 7500 acres of wildlife habitat was being destroyed. They denied the permit in 1975 but the race went on anyway and continued illegally until 1978. In 78 the BLM got a court to issue an injunction against the race but again the race occurred anyway. The BLM tried to have the racers held in contempt of court but the court orchestrated a settlement agreement instead that the race would not be held in 79. The BLM sent 13 agents to stop the race with back up from the Sheriff in 79. The Sheriff backed out due to political pressure and the racers told the BLM agents that they would shoot anyone who got in their way so the BLM observed the race instead of trying to stop it. For 3 more years the race continued illegally until the BLM made an amendment to the California Desert Plan that allowed the race for 7 more years. In 1989 emergency protection was given to the desert tortoise under the Endangered Species Act and the BLM denied the permit. In 1990 they came out in full force with the Sheriff in tow and arrested 10 people. The Organic Act gave the BLM the ability to fully police Federal Lands and enforce the environmental protection laws on Federal Land. This is slippery as hell as this essentially created a Federal police force which is a violation to the general authority ceded to the States. They got around this by giving the BLM the ability to cooperate with local law enforcement through reimbursable law enforcement agreements. This was necessary as in the 70's as in the past there were only 1 or 2 BLM agents in a given State. The legal limit for BLM rangers was 17 until it was expanded in 1984. Today there are 300 agents.

My point to all of this is that never have the BLM nor should the BLM have police powers. They are a government agency that should be working with local law enforcement to deal with any crime occurring on Federal land. That was their initial mission but time and time again the BLM has overstepped their authority. Shooting a passenger in SXS is just the latest instance.

Thanks, very informative and interesting

So leave it to a bunch of hooligan California bikers
One thing for sure, legal or not, good or bad, their enforcement powers have certainly expanded well beyond the Ca borders. Essentially every western state including Wyoming, Montana and Colorado, and protected waters off Jupiter Inlet in Florida. Plus all the various Federal park rangers who certainly think they're cops.
Then we've got the Federal Fish and Wildlife cops writing tickets along the Colorado River and adjacent protected river washes.

Point being, it's not just BLM who's acting as Federal Police. Then toss in the Federal Border Patrol who will pull you over on any of our Southern Ca. roads and freeways if they're in the mood --- and proceed to conduct a dog drug search thank you very much.
I don't think at this point and given that our increasing population of dumb asses doesn't get it, I don't see this going away, only providing them ammunition to expand.

 

[thmterry]

https://kmir.com/2018/06/13/off-roading-adventure-turns-into-a-nightmare/



What was supposed to be a fun day off-roading, turning into a complete nightmare when a officer with the Bureau of Land Management shot at a pair of riders. Mulitiple shots were fired after officers claim the off-roaders failed to stop, but the riders are telling a much different story and are demanding answers.

“What I remember the most was the blood, the blood…she had blood everywhere,” said Pedro Mejia, the driver of the Razor.

Blood dripped down his wife’s face after she was shot by an officer who allegedly felt threatened.

“The first thing my husband did was say we’re stopping, we’re stopping. And I immediately put my hands up too, and right after I raised my hand in the air is when he fire the shot,” said Denise Mejia, who was grazed by the bullet in the head and was shot in the hand.

Denise and Pedro Mejia were only planning on ;going off-roading during the day, but tehir off-roading adventure took a dark turn when they got a flat tire.

“My razor got no rear tire, I mean completely broken and all of a sudden these two vehicles turn on their lights and zoomed in,” said Pedro.

They came to a stop, put their hands up, and shots were fired.

“I remember my wife just screaming I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die,” he said with a quiver in his voice.

The Bureau of Land Management claims the victims didn’t stop and were actually off-roading in a restricted area.

“They didn’t say anything. They didn’t tell us to stop. In fact, we were the only once that were talking,” said Denise.

Pedro also said there was no warning or signs up signs up in that area. He did pass by a sign that said “four-wheel-drive recommended.” He also adds, that he and his wife, in no way threatened the officers.

“All we had was an ice chest cooler,no alcohol, we had a metal detector, we had a gun in the vehicle, it’s for coyotes, but it was tucked away

Which is why the couple is so confused and demand answers.

“It’s really an emotional rollercoaster. We are happy to be alive and can say that we are still with our family but at the same time we are confused about why everything happened,” said Denise.

Denise is now recovering from hand surgery and 15 staples on her head. The couple has yet to get their personal belongings back, including their driver’s license and bank cards. However, no charges have been filed. KMIR reached out to the Riverside County Sheriff’s office and they refuse to share additional details on the ongoing investigation.

 

[Danger Dave]

http://www.freerangereport.com/inde...sane-rationale-for-shooting-of-unarmed-woman/

 

[Performance Grips]

https://kmir.com/2018/06/13/off-roading-adventure-turns-into-a-nightmare/



What was supposed to be a fun day off-roading, turning into a complete nightmare when a officer with the Bureau of Land Management shot at a pair of riders. Mulitiple shots were fired after officers claim the off-roaders failed to stop, but the riders are telling a much different story and are demanding answers.

“What I remember the most was the blood, the blood…she had blood everywhere,” said Pedro Mejia, the driver of the Razor.

Blood dripped down his wife’s face after she was shot by an officer who allegedly felt threatened.

“The first thing my husband did was say we’re stopping, we’re stopping. And I immediately put my hands up too, and right after I raised my hand in the air is when he fire the shot,” said Denise Mejia, who was grazed by the bullet in the head and was shot in the hand.

Denise and Pedro Mejia were only planning on ;going off-roading during the day, but tehir off-roading adventure took a dark turn when they got a flat tire.

“My razor got no rear tire, I mean completely broken and all of a sudden these two vehicles turn on their lights and zoomed in,” said Pedro.

They came to a stop, put their hands up, and shots were fired.

“I remember my wife just screaming I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die,” he said with a quiver in his voice.

The Bureau of Land Management claims the victims didn’t stop and were actually off-roading in a restricted area.

“They didn’t say anything. They didn’t tell us to stop. In fact, we were the only once that were talking,” said Denise.

Pedro also said there was no warning or signs up signs up in that area. He did pass by a sign that said “four-wheel-drive recommended.” He also adds, that he and his wife, in no way threatened the officers.

“All we had was an ice chest cooler,no alcohol, we had a metal detector, we had a gun in the vehicle, it’s for coyotes, but it was tucked away

Which is why the couple is so confused and demand answers.

“It’s really an emotional rollercoaster. We are happy to be alive and can say that we are still with our family but at the same time we are confused about why everything happened,” said Denise.

Denise is now recovering from hand surgery and 15 staples on her head. The couple has yet to get their personal belongings back, including their driver’s license and bank cards. However, no charges have been filed. KMIR reached out to the Riverside County Sheriff’s office and they refuse to share additional details on the ongoing investigation.

If this is in any way accurate I hope this officer is thrown in prison for attempted murder . Period. What a fucking loser agency. Untrained, scared and sorry bunch of losers... i have dealt with them in glamis with there binoculars like fucking cowards looking for people in there camps riding without helmets to refuel while driving across camp. I stopped going. Super aggressive and out of control leo's if u can call them that. Most of them should be wall mart security or less. They shouldn't be able to carry pepper spray let alone guns.

 

[KENDOG689]

The stupid part of all of this is its a desert.Why restrict any of it?I have said before its our land and we should be able to use it.I want to see the blm fuck with the injuns.

 

[Performance Grips]

The stupid part of all of this is its a desert.Why restrict any of it?I have said before its our land and we should be able to use it.I want to see the blm fuck with the injuns.

Can't say injuns...

 

[Motoxxxloak]

Fuck the BLM. I was in Glamis once going down wash road in my truck, pretty damn slow trying to find my cousin that got lost on his dirt bike.

I pass a lady BLM and she flips around and lights me up. Stopped me for no front license plate she says.

5 patty wagons later + the original one and they call in a dog. Again, all over a fucking missing front license plate.

The dog is walking around the truck and he’s about to signal the dog to jump on the side of the truck. Keep in mind, this was my 07 2500 with an 8 inch lift.

My exact words were “I fucking know exactly what you’re doing and you’re signaling the dog instead of letting him signal you. I swear to god if you signal him to jump on the side of my shit and scratch it up (truck was black), I’ll have your ass”.

He didn’t give a shit, but at least he didn’t signal the dog to jump. Oh, then they tried to say the truck smelled like weed so I said “well the dog seems to think otherwise”. They got pretty pissed they didn’t find anything and sent me on my way. Did they mark my camp however and tried to come back later in the night to fuck with us.

Fuck BLM!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KENDOG689]

Can't say injuns...

I just did.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

https://kmir.com/2018/06/13/off-roading-adventure-turns-into-a-nightmare/

The family has released a statement

 

[ka0tyk]

I'm so glad BLM decided to use their duty weapon to shoot the passenger. The passenger that has ZERO control of the vehicle. The passenger that had their hands up in such a manner that your bullet hits their hand and their head.

One inch and they wouldve shot her in the head. Dead. Fuck their administrative leave, this officer needs to be charged with attempted murder.

 

[STV_Keith]

Where's the dash cam video? Seriously, you need to be under your OWN surveillance at all times, for your own protection. Dash cams, house cams, etc.

 

[77charger]

Where's the dash cam video? Seriously, you need to be under your OWN surveillance at all times, for your own protection. Dash cams, house cams, etc.

Agree especially with a job like that where many will say you did this or that. If you are following proper procedure you can always have the video and audio to prove it. IMO ones who don't want the body cams are the ones to worry about.

 

[Backlash]

Having some ideas of law enforcement department policies and procedures and an inkling of knowledge regarding California laws, I would be VERY interested to hear the officers statement with regards to him "Feeling legally justified to use lethal force."

From what little I've read about this incident and without knowing all of the facts, I would STILL say this is a bad shoot and the "Officer" should face some stiff penalties. Admin leave alone is unacceptable.

This family seems to have a very good civil lawsuit on their hands and I truly hope they take that route and seek some financial compensation from the BLM.

That "Officer" should not be in any form of law enforcement whatsoever. They are obviously not someone who is calm, cool and collected under pressure.

Just my .02.

 

[PUMPKIN TITS]

I can't see on what planet it would ever be ok for BLM to be shooting at American citizens at all? I'm not even sure why they are armed?

RD

I think they are armed because terrorists try to run them over in the desert, I saw it on Facebook.

 

[WhatExit?]

WE pay their salaries and pay for their benefits and their uniforms and their vehicles and their weapons and ammo. They work FOR US or should. But like too much of our government, they're out of control and using their authority to break the law and harm those who they work for. This is unjust and must be stopped.

 

[Danger Dave]

Copy and paste from another site:

Some side info for this deal, They were in a RZR in an area which was non-OHV, BLM and Park Service have been doing saturation patrols in this are and the Sky Valley area for OHV use, probably what Redline dealt with, Ive been running into BLM Rangers out there at night which is not normal BLM, they tend to go home at night, the shooting happened in Berdo Canyon where Park Service has bad some problems with OHV coming onto the Joshua Tree National Park, probably why a NPS Ranger was down there, Lower Berdo Canyon has a open shooting area, to put it simply, its trashed, people dump cars, shoot anything and everything up and leave it there, kinda like Quarry area at the Mint. The Female victim had a signifcant graze wound to her head and a hand wound, their story does not match up to their action, that being said, the BLM Ranger didnt follow any procedures accepted in Law Enforcement, the fact that the wounds were on the right side of the passenger, in a 2 seat RZR, shows some serious weapon control/aim issues. There was a weapon in the RZR, it was secured in a storage space and not part of the call. Riverside Sheriffs office took control of the investigation, the RZR operator was released from custody within 12 hours, the female was not in custody when I dealt with her. RSO was not saying anything.
BLM law enforcement needs a complete work over in what and who they are, and how they interact with the public, its about 95% negative in SoCal

 

[JDKRXW]

It's gotten to the point where if any of these 'quazi' leo's is required to carry, they should also be required to have an operating body camera.
The same is going on in Canada - the dot inspectors in Saskatchewan (the guys who will actually crawl under a commercial trailer to check the brake adjustment) now carry side arms. Apparently, this is so they can 'help out' regular leo's.

 

[nameisbond]

It's gotten to the point where if any of these 'quazi' leo's is required to carry, they should also be required to have an operating body camera.
The same is going on in Canada - the dot inspectors in Saskatchewan (the guys who will actually crawl under a commercial trailer to check the brake adjustment) now carry side arms. Apparently, this is so they can 'help out' regular leo's.

Its the same in BC and they can stop regular people for traffic violations. They drive around with their radar on...

I can't believe how crazy they shot this women is. Shouldn't happen period. Hope the family gets millions from this!

 

[77charger]

At glamis they are out of control luckily I camp far from crowds and if they come to check us they've calmed down.

But I still don't trust them and with a family member as a district attorney he refers to them as clowns and has to toss out half their cases they file under state law.