A demonstrator protesting last week at the construction site of an oil pipeline in North Dakota was charged on Monday with the attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, according to court documents.
Red Fawn Fallis, 37, was confronted by two officers on the evening of Oct. 27, according to an affidavit, when she was taking part in a demonstration against the $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline project.
The affidavit said law enforcement was working to clear protesters from a camp on private property and attempted to arrest Fallis for being “an instigator and acting disorderly,” when a struggle occurred with the officers.
It added that during the struggle, Fallis fired at a police officer three times with a handgun, without hitting him.
After being subdued and arrested, a small amount of marijuana was found in Fallis’ possession, according to court documents. She is facing additional charges including engaging in a riot, possession of marijuana and preventing arrest.
The attempted murder charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
An attorney for Fallis was not listed in court documents and an official from the Morton County Courthouse said on Monday that Fallis did not yet have a lawyer.
The 1,172-mile (1,885-km) pipeline, being built by a group of companies led by Energy Transfer Partners LP (ETP.N), would offer the fastest and most direct route to bring Bakken shale oil from North Dakota to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries.
But the project has faced months of protest from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, as well as environmental activists, who say it threatens local water supplies and sacred tribal sites.
Supporters say the pipeline would be safer and more cost-effective than transporting the oil by road or rail.
Police clashed with protesters last week as they moved to clear out a camp constructed by demonstrators on private land, with law enforcement using rubber bullets, pepper spray and an audio cannon to disperse demonstrators.
(Reporting by Timothy Mclaughlin in Chicago; Editing by Peter Cooney)
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-pipeline-shooting-idUSKBN12V2JU
“….with law enforcement using rubber bullets, pepper spray and an audio cannon to disperse demonstrators.”
Sounds to me like she fired in self-defense.
“Supporters say the pipeline would be safer and more cost-effective than transporting the oil by road or rail.”
Sure about that? Cause I just read last night about a leaky pipeline blowing up and causing some forest fires and burning some people.
But, I guess forests and burnt people aren’t a consideration in the budgetary, cost-effective, prospectus action plan.
People and trees aren’t cost-effective.
How the hell do you “attempt” murder? No harm, no foul. Especially on a piece of sh*t code enforcement officer of nothing. And then oh…..how f ing convenient, they just happened to find some weed. Extra charges for everybody.
No video, body cam, or dash cam, just words on paper. She had a gun and fired 3 shots. Oh, lets not forget there was a small amount of MJ in her possession. another he said/she said and the cop wins. did the supreme court say something about police perjuring with impunity?
“It added that during the struggle, Fallis fired at a police officer three times with a handgun, without hitting him.”
If it occurred during a STRUGGLE, that implies she was up close & personal.
HOW THE HELL DO YOU MISS THREE TIMES WHEN YOU’RE UP CLOSE & PERSONAL???