I support the call for an “Independent Investigation” by the United States Attorney General’s Office regarding the April 30,2009 killing, by three (3) plain clothes under cover Yolo County Sheriff “Gang suppression officers”, of Luis Gutierrez on his way home from the DMV.
We believe that it is important that we all know the truth, and that we are clear about what really happened. The Yolo County community deserves that. The collusion between Yolo County Law Enforcement agencies is well known in the community and can be easily documented. Only through an “Independent Investigation” and not “Law enforcement” agencies “Investigating” each other can the community feel we can get at the truth.
We believe law enforcement has violated our “Constitutional, and Civil Rights” over and over. They have been engaged in a “Campaign of Fear”, where we have been denied the right to walk the streets as free “Citizen s” in our communities without being subject to “Racial Profiling” and “Police” tactics which only serve to instill a discriminatory atmosphere of fear, with our children asking, "Will I be next". This "campaign of fear" can be seen in the Yolo County DA's exaggerated claim of a need for a "gang injunction" to deal with a non-existent gang in West Sacramento, and who continues to destroy families with his insensitive understanding of citizens concerns at the increase of Sheriff and police brutality in Yolo County.
We demand the truth as to why the “Yolo County Sheriffs” officers resorted to the use of Deadly force ? The community of Woodland, California, and citizens of Yolo County are demanding an independent investigation to understand the following questions.
1. Why was “Luis Stopped” ?
- Did the Sheriff’s Officers have a warrant for his arrest ?
- Was there a criminal complaint ?
- Did they Know who he was ?
2. Why did three trained and armed officers resort to deadly force against a man who was only in the possession of a knife?
- Why was he shot in the back ?
- Why were Six (6) shots fired at Close range?
3. Why did the “Sheriffs/Coroner” disclose publicly prior to the completion of the autopsy that “Luis” was on drugs ?
I hereby sign in support of and demand for an independent Federal Investigation of the Luis Gutierrez killing.
