8 News Now – by George KnappLAS VEGAS — Metro Police officers who were on the front lines of a recent showdown near the Bundy ranch in Bunkerville say they feared for their lives.
At least some of the militia members who pointed weapons at police officers during the confrontation may have wanted a violent outcome and tried to incite one.
In exclusive interviews with the 8 News NOW I-Team, officers who were on the scene shared their thoughts and fears, and they say it is not over.
“These guys with rifles, keep them calm,” was Clark County Assistant Sheriff Joe Lombardo’s request to one of Bundy’s sons the day of the confrontation.
Lombardo’s top priority was to prevent a spark that might set off a bloody firefight.
“There was a possibility of somebody just having an accidental discharge causing a blood bath, because the individuals that were showing up, the militia quote unquote, were armed to the teeth,” Lombardo said.
On one side, armed federal rangers and agents, on the other, a huge crowd of angry militia members and in the middle, 30 Metro officers, exposed and vulnerable, aware that if the shooting began, some of them would die.
“You are standing there going, ‘I just hope it doesn’t hurt when it comes. That it’s quick,’ and it was real for us. It was real,” Sgt. Tom Jenkins said.
“(You thought you might die?) Yeah.” Sgt. Jenkins said.
Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie has been negotiating behind the scenes with rancher Cliven Bundy for a couple of years. On the morning of the big showdown, he and Joe Lombardo drove to Bunkerville to let Bundy know that a deal had been reached with Bureau of Land Management to suspend the roundup of Bundy’s cattle.
Bundy, who has grown accustomed to media attention over the past few months, said he would only talk to Gillespie on stage in front of his crowd. Once there, he ordered the sheriff to go out and disarm every fed he could find.
“And report back in an hour. Disarm everyone working at a federal park,” Bundy told the sheriff.
“I mean, the hair was up on the back of my neck. There was the so-called militia surrounding the stage. There was a lot of firepower out there and it made me nervous. anything could happen,” Lombardo said.
Gillspie and Lombardo say they offered to provide Bundy with legal counsel—free. He turned it down and later urged the crowd to go after his cattle.
“Mr. Bundy, in my personal opinion, incited the crowd,” Lombardo said.
Some of them didn’t need much to get riled. Their hostility toward government was on full display. A few equate the BLM with Nazis.
“That bunch, the SS squad or something to do with Hitler, shouldn’t have guns there aimed at the people,” one man at the showdown said.
They were equally hostile to journalists covering the story. Pistol-packing militia men have blocked 8 News NOW’s access to public roads. Some poured lighter fluid around our news vehicle while others got physical.
A few Oath keepers said they were told the White House had ordered a drone missile strike on the Bundy camp. In an atmosphere this hostile and paranoid, guns pointed at police became the norm.
“At some point, you have to draw a line in the sand. I guess this is it,” one militia member said.
“They’re armed, they have an agenda, and they’re committed to whatever they believe in, no backing down. One or two of them would never have done what they did–point weapons at us–but when you have 300-400 and they can be anonymous in a crowd, you get caught up in that,” Sgt. Jenkins said.
Lombardo confirms that Metro developed a lot of intelligence about militia members who were present. Those who aimed their guns at officers will be dealt with.
“Yes, there will be consequences, definitely. That is unacceptable behavior. If we let it go, it will continue into the future,” Lombardo said.
Law enforcement sources told us that federal officials are preparing to move against Cliven Bundy, but they might wait months until things die down before making their move.
Metro Police could take separate action in response to the provocations they experienced in Bunkerville and may be working to identify particular suspects.
http://www.8newsnow.com/story/25396688/i-team-police-say-bundy-ranch-protesters-not-off-the-hook
boy they really hate it when the shoe is on the other foot and it makes them look bad.
probably everyone there should have had painted faces, and or masks (guy falkes) and or..cover up all vehicle plates ..
gotta think like a Fed if your going to walk out of this with out being accosted, abused..ticketed falsely etc.. they are just waiting for these guys to break off and travel alone or work thier way home, they will get a cop on their butts before they reach the county line
watch for it guys..More Opsec ya’ll
…”they are just waiting for these guys to break off and travel alone or work their way home, they will get a cop on their butts before they reach the county line…”
THEN THE WAR STARTS ON THE WAY HOME! War is coming folks better get it in your head now. At this point makes no difference where the treasonous Communist Commissars send the brainwashed killer goon squads to target militia….the war will start. The word would be out in a matter of hours, then it will be equal opportunity die time in all 50 states.
none of the militia though of covering their face. I had a feeling this would happen…
And I bet I know who gave them their marching orders…H. Reid no doubt
dont do it cops..you know this aint right
dont want a gun aimed at you, than dont be a pawn to this government BS
its that simple
TPTB NEVER EVER FORGET ABOUT IT WHEN YA PISS THEM OFF. And that is a fact dang it. 🙁
Oh yea, you can count on it that they have got every one there on tape or in pictures.
The clowns in Metro had better re-think this little witch hunt. All they are doing is encouraging 100’s more to join the troops.
time to put the drama aside with the oathkeeps, come together and protect that area.
Now these cops know what it feels like to be scared. When the great equalizer is held by both parties they crap their pants. How about the cop in Humbolt with his gun that stole $50,000 from a guy? These cops are only on the streets to protect and collect the corp.
If they start going after the Militia, I believe it is the same as shooting at them. We shouldn’t tolerate it. The government started this war, they are not going to like what they get.
Looks like officer Phuck-phuck needs to go visit that river in Crimea that actually gives a damn. I love the way they skew this shit with phrases such as, “angry militia”, “armed to the teeth” and of course, “accidental discharge”.
When was the last time you heard of militia brutality? The last time you saw a video of a militiaman beating the crap out of an old lady on the side of the road? When have you heard of a militiaman unlawfully forcing their way into someone’s home, beating the shit out of the residents, kidnapping them and then throwing them in the dungeon with zero accountability? Answers to all these questions are the same; NEVER; but we sure do see the government sanctioned thugs doing this exact shit and way more.
These pricks can go pound sand. We know what you’re about. We also know who owns the news channel that owns the scurvy little fvck that wrote this report. The men and women out at the Bundy Ranch are cooler headed and most likely better trained than these trigger happy, bullying, government thugs. Up yer kilt!
speaking of “the way they skew this shit”, my favorite lines are:
“They’re armed, they have an agenda, and they’re committed to whatever they believe in, no backing down.
they have an agenda
committed to “whatever they believe in” (as if there were some question)
The militia, as is usually the case in the media, are made to look like fanatical lunatics with those words.
The agenda, and what they believe in is FREEDOM…. but that concept is lost on tyrants.
Thanks fer lettin us know whose side you’re on. now there’ll be no hesitation at all!
Without question, I believe that the next militia(quick-reaction) response will be needed, if/when they go to take down any of these men.
I would have hitch-hiked in from vegas. Also wear a balaclava or sniper veil.
putting your biometrics and license plate out in the open isnt smart.
The cop who said he was scared because someone pointed a gun at him should rethink being a cop. NEWS TIP d!ckweed. people point guns at you all the time. traffic lights, stop signs, driving down the road. WE HATE YOU! And dream of the day when we can choke you out in public and get away with it. We look forward to “no knock”-ing your front door in and punching your kids because you havnt mowed the lawn.
ok mayby not but you get the point.
first requirement to be a cop nowa days is to be afraid. The second is to be a bully.
There you go stewie.
That’s supposedly why ok’s.org exists, to deal with
your oath breaking badger brothers. To defend those citizens who are threatend with brutality and arrest, for daring to defend the citizens
of our Republic against the crimes of oath breakers.
stewie, you fuccking snapper head!!!
Can you believe the gall of these damn pigs when every day in this country those bastards think nothing of ramming a gun in you face? Or a gang of them kick in your door in the middle of the night for a non violent crimes and shoot you or your dog or even a f#@king parakeet. And they all have masks over their face to hide the cowardly bastards that they are. These Phuque’s haven’t seen anything yet! If they want to see the criminals got to a f#@king mirror and have a look!
The hypocrisy is absolutely stunning. They could say all the same things about themselves multiplied a thousand times by real abuses against Americans all across the US. If anyone has been keeping calm while the Constitution was getting trashed, the country was getting robbed and the police were getting militarized to enable the process it certainly hasn’t been them.
“They were equally hostile to journalists covering the story. Pistol-packing militia men have blocked 8 News NOW’s access to public roads. Some poured lighter fluid around our news vehicle while others got physical.”
Oh PUHLEASEE!!!! Now the MSM is just making shit up out of pathetic desperation.
“Lombardo confirms that Metro developed a lot of intelligence about militia members who were present. Those who aimed their guns at officers will be dealt with.”
Ooooohhh….boo-hooo….we’re shaking in our boots Mr. Lombardo. Kiss my ass! You ain’t got nothing on anyone. Empty threats.
“Law enforcement sources told us that federal officials are preparing to move against Cliven Bundy, but they might wait months until things die down before making their move.”
More empty threats. Just like everything else. More fearmongering.
“LAS VEGAS – Metro Police officers who were on the front lines of a recent showdown near the Bundy ranch in Bunkerville say they feared for their lives.”
You know the next time I hear another FRIGGIN’ police officer say they “feared for their lives”, I’m going to kick them in the ass myself and send them home to their mommies!!!
I’m sick of this cowardice. Are you police officers or little kids? GROW UP!!!
If you fear for your lives, then DON’T BE A POLICE OFFICER!
If you can’t take the heat or afraid of guns, then DON’T BE A POLICE OFFICER!!
If you’re afraid of a ballpoint pen, then PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO US ALL A FAVOR AND DON’T BECOME A POLICE OFFICER!!!!
In the meantime, any policeman who follows unconstitutional orders, you will be arrested for sedition and tried for treason. Period!
The choice is yours. Have a nice day.
“A few Oath keepers said they were told the White House had ordered a drone missile strike on the Bundy camp. In an atmosphere this hostile and paranoid, guns pointed at police became the norm.”
And here we go using the Oathkeepers incident to continue to drive a wedge between the patriots. Pathetic.
Sorry! Won’t work. You’re gonna have to find some other angle, MSM! Tell your elitist heads to go back to the drawing board and shove it up their asses, because when we’re through with BLM, we’re coming for you, as it’s way past time we do some house-cleaning in the MSM.
Why is it;
1.) that Las Vegas Metro Police is/are out side of their jurisdiction, over in the far outskirts (eastend) of the Clark County? – isn’t that 70 or 80 miles past the City limits?
2.) they were: “in the middle” – between the BLM and militia?
Yea, I was wondering that same thing lately. What the hell are Las Vegas cops doing WWWWWAAAYY out of their jurisdiction? 80 miles out of their jurisdiction.
That’s like San Antonio, TX cops are coming to help out Austin, TX cops. WTF???? That’s completely and outright illegal and crazy and no one is saying anything about that. Unbelievable!
OMG, after watching that video, they totally took the militia video way out of context about shooting people in the back. Of course they won’t show the WHOLE video because then the people would see what he REALLY meant. But nope, they show that one little clip, just like they tried doing with Bundy’s comment by taking it way out of context and turning it into a racial thing. Unfrigginbelievable.
Then you got Sgt. Jenkins who is from DHS saying he feared for his lives. Man, I hope the DHS nazis didn’t hear that, otherwise, he’ll be fired in a heartbeat for acting like a coward on TV.
Again, show me footage of any militia trying to set fire to the news channel 8 vehicle with lighter fluid. I mean talk about pathetic. They couldn’t even show footage of that to back up their claims. Yet, they could skew all the other footage. Maybe because THEY NEVER SAID THAT, you MSM piece of shit!! Try reporting the REAL story rather than reading off a teleprompter like the Kenyan bastard in our oval office.
As far as Lombardo is concerned, he’s got mafia written all over his face. He’s got the “I’m gonna make you an offer you can’t refuse” attitude. Lombardo, do us all a favor, hand in your badge and go hide underneath a desk with Bloominidiot, if you’re that worried about guns.
Does anyone have any video source showing members of the militia pointing guns at these metro cops in a malicious manner? Just curious.