Posted on 06/04/2015 1:39:52 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
BOERNE — A troubled war vet who fired shots during a confrontation with police while robbing a Fredericksburg convenience store — he later called it an attempted suicide by cop — admitted guilt and is asking a jury here to assess his punishment.
Officers fired 177 bullets during the melee, but Victor A. Valdez, 25, escaped the Dec. 18, 2013 incident with a minor buttock wound, according to testimony this week.
Police unleashed the firepower when Valdez, a former Marine lance corporal with post traumatic stress disorder from his service in Afghanistan, fired through the store’s front window after more than two hours of telephone negotiations broke down.
He faces up to life in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday before state District Judge Keith Williams to 12 counts of aggravated assault on a public servant and two charges of aggravated robbery.
Testimony described Valdez, drunk and high on acid, consuming merchandise at the Valero store at 516 S. Adams St. in Fredericksburg.
“He has accepted responsibility and asked the jury to give full consideration to his issues,” defense attorney Pat Pattillo said during a break in the sentencing hearing, which continued Thursday. The proceeding was moved to Boerne from Fredericksburg.
Jurors viewed police car and store security videos of the incident showing that Valdez, brandishing a gun, allowed store employees leave and then waited inside. He vomited at least once as police assumed defensive positions out front.
Fredericksburg Officer Chris Ayala, who tried in vain to talk Valdez into surrendering, testified Wednesday that during the standoff the suspect once answered the store phone by saying, “Valero. Can I help you?”
Ayala, who recalled Valdez as respectful as a Fredericksburg High School student, said he feared for his life when the defendant fired through the store window towards officers.
After surviving two fusillades of police bullets, just moments apart, Valdez surrendered. He was too intoxicated to be questioned when taken into custody, Texas Ranger Kevin Wright testified.
Go to ExpressNews.com to find out what he told investigators the next day.
Geez... There’s some sharp shootin’!
A Texas Ranger was there. And the guy was only hit once from 177 rounds fired. Sounds like they were giving him the “mad minute”.
The cops need some range time.
177 shots and they hit him once in the butt? Not guilty, Yer Honor!
If you don’t have a clean shot, you might try ricochets.
Where did all those bullets go? Did anyone have their eyes opened?
177 bullets and only one hit him? I bet they all got awards.
Spray and Pray. Marksmanship for the new millennium.
They were so used to quick drawing in front of the mirror they weren’t sure how to aim.
http://www.amazon.com/On-Killing-Psychological-Learning-Society/dp/0316330116
According to the author of this well researched book, the police were not trying to or able to kill. Instead they were engaging in “display” behavior. Much like a cat who hisses and puffs up, its about seeming dangerous without actually committing the act. This is what gets cops and psychologically unprepared CCW carriers killed. This book is a must-read if you carry.
Mad Minute?
They weren’t packin SMLEs were they?
He survived trial by fire. Someone upstairs is obviously looking out for him. They should let him go.
The shine has been off Rangers since the early-mid 90’s when they went PC. They are desk jockeys now.
Reminds me of that scene in Pulp Fiction.
Apparently cops aren’t responsible for or expected to think about where their bullets will go when they’re “spraying and praying” with their Glocks. If a few innocent bystanders, pets, children, whatever get hit, well that’s just too bad.
I find it hilarious on FR when a citizen takes down a perp or two or three and doesn’t kill all of them and somebody comments they need more range time. Sitting behind a keyboard commenting on a civilian situation about range time is laughable. I hope they all get their opportunity. Even range trained professionals don’t always get results.
No wonder they have to buy ammo 4 billion rounds at a time.
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