Brad Messer Commentary
Monday, September 22, 2003

DEA and Ashley Villareal

Last October, a man died when he encountered DEA agents here in a shopping center parking lot. As usual, the federal agency then set out to investigate itself, to see whether its killing was justified. That car-ramming and shooting death was last October 3rd. The self-investigation still isn't finished.

Then on the night of February 9th, DEA agents shot and mortally wounded 14-year-old Ashley Villareal here, in front of her home, where federal agents said they were on stakeout looking for her father.

There was a whole lot of conflicting information about how and why the little girl was shot in the back of the head.

Again, the DEA set out to investigate itself, to see whether the killing was justified. No report yet from the DEA, and none from the San Antonio Police, seven and a half months later.

It is hard for an untrained civilian such as me to understand how lawmen can take so long to investigate homicide cases involving fellow lawmen.

Brad Messer commentary, KTSA.

Commentary 2-13-2003
Ashley to be buried on Valentine's Day
San Antonio Express-News 2/12/2003
"Grieving family blasts feds over claims in shooting of teen"
"Girl shot at DEA stakeout is dead"
Nando News / Associated Press 2/12/2003
"Texas teen mistakenly shot by drug agents dies"
San Antonio Express-News 2/11/2003
"DEA says oncoming vehicle led to shooting"

 

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