Posted on 08/11/2002 3:36:29 AM PDT by ResistorSister
JACKSON TWP. — Federal agents and police searched for weapons and explosives Saturday in the apartment of a man who was killed in a shootout along with a Massillon police officer Friday night.
Less than a day after Police Officer Eric Taylor was shot and killed, about 25 agents and police officers spent more than three hours at the home of gunman Donald W. Matthews at 6688 Casper Ave. NW.
At about 7 p.m., a group of agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, many wearing blue shirts and gloves, entered the two-story red brick apartment.
ATF Agent in Charge Frank A. D’Alesio, who’s based in Youngstown, said the FBI called ATF agents Saturday morning to assist in the search. He said they arrived at the apartment at about 4:50 p.m. The ATF enforces federal weapons laws.
“What we’re here for is looking for firearms or anything that might be related to the officer’s homicide, so we may figure how this occurred to see what was the motive,” D’Alesio said, adding that Massillon Municipal Judge Edward Elum approved the search warrant.
“We had information there may have (been) illegal firearms in the house. ... Because of (Matthews’) involvement with various groups, we were contacted. ... He shows an interest in firearms.”
D’Alesio would only refer to the groups as “common-law groups” and would not reveal the sources of his information. He said he saw no indication that Matthews had broken any federal laws, but “he’s been the target of other law enforcement investigations.” D’Alesio did not want to give details.
While the search was in progress, the ATF agent said authorities found only one weapon — a .380-caliber semiautomatic pistol and a few rounds of ammunition. It was unclear after the search if more weapons were found.
D’Alesio said Matthews’ wife, Catherine Matthews, claimed the pistol was her weapon, but it was not seized because she had it legally.
Shortly before 8:30 p.m., township detectives emerged from the apartment with at least three grocery bags and a small computer tower. The seized items were placed in an unmarked car.
The detectives refused to comment. Two uniformed Jackson officers also were there; one had black tape on his badge in honor of the dead officer.
One member of the Youngstown police bomb squad was at the apartment in case explosives were found. D’Alesio said agents did not find explosives.
D’Alesio said that about 12 ATF agents from Cleveland and Youngstown, about four FBI agents from Cleveland and Canton, one Massillon police officer and two Ohio Highway Patrol troopers also assisted at the scene.
He said a Summit County Sheriff’s Department bomb squad dog and a deputy checked the scene for explosives before the search.
Family members of Matthews refused to comment and told a reporter to go away. Matthews’ wife was in the apartment during the search.
D’Alesio said the family was cooperating with the search and that Matthews’ wife “doesn’t understand why he did it, either.”
After 8:30 p.m., agents and police left in nearly all unmarked vehicles.
D’Alesio said he and his men are happy to help.
“Anytime someone gets killed in the line of duty, it’s a definite tragedy,” he said. “We feel for the family and his children.”
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Federal agents and police searched for weapons and explosives Saturday in the apartment of a man who was killed in a shootout along with a Massillon police officer Friday night. While the search was in progress, the ATF agent said authorities found only one weapon — a .380-caliber semiautomatic pistol and a few rounds of ammunition. It was unclear after the search if more weapons were found...“We had information there may have (been) illegal firearms in the house. ... Because of (Matthews’) involvement with various groups, we were contacted. ... He shows an interest in firearms.”
And what did they find? A lone .380 and some ammo. The guy had two guns. Can't even use the stockpile word.
It appears the media is gonna exploit this story for all it's worth. The initial event was sickening enough without watching the newshogs roll in it...
Yep, you bet-sha, which is why I cringed when I found out who the shooter was.
I'm surprised they didn't call it a "cache". "Arsenal" is 10 guns, according to liberals. "Stockpile" is something more.
Notice the attention his life is now being given, because of what he might have thought. I guess it's SOP for the media and the feds to perform a post-mortem anal exam on a guy's life if a white guy kills a cop. After all, they might be able to smear some right-winger in the process.
I liked that part.
The media seem to have backed away from this story. Makes one wonder why.
The .380 was Cathy's, Don's wife. She's duly licensed for it, and so they were unable to confiscate.
I spoke with Cathy last night, and asked her about the search. She told me there were 2 FBI, about 12 ATF, a couple officers each from Jackson and Massillon townships. She didn't see any Ohio State Police.
They arrived late afternoon, and told Cathy they were there to secure the premises. They intimated they were there, among other things, to look for additional bad guys, given Don's (thoroughly non-existent) "militia ties." She asked if they had a search warrant. They did not, and asked Cathy if they should get one. And she said, yes, of course. So there was a two and a half hour waiting game while they waited for the warrant to show up. Meanwhile, Cathy was not allowed to return into her house. The officers all pulled lawn chairs, coolers, etc., out of their vehicles, and camped out on her front lawn. When Cathy asked if she could go into the house to use the bathroom, at first the OIC declined to let her. But then relented, had the downstairs lavatory cleared of all items (which were then placed on the kitchen table), and allowed her to do so with armed guards at the door. Then she had to leave the premises again.
Anyhoot, at the conclusion of the search, Cathy said the only items removed were Don's computer terminal, which was given into the custody of the Jackson police; and a half-empty box of ammunition, which the Massillon folks took away. Cathy told me neither the FBI or ATF took anything away from the scene.
As Cathy told me, it's horrific enough to lose your husband. But to lose your husband in this way is almost too much to bear. Fortunately, she has a tremendous amount of support, as family, friends, neighbors, and her Church is rallying around her. When I talked to her last night, she had eight people visiting.... She is so grateful for the kindness and humanity of these good people.
The funeral will be held tomorrow morning, Tuesday, August 13, at the Lakeside Methodist Church, Jackson Township. That is, if the minister can be persuaded to relent on his condition that no police officer, FBI or ATF agent come armed into his church. Cathy, of course, has no control over this.
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