Police Storm Wrong Apartment, Resident Dies of Heart Attack

WABC News NYC ^ | May 16, 2003 | Art McFarland

[Unknown Freeper]

(Harlem-WABC, May 16, 2003) — Police smashed down an apartment door and used a flash grenade in their search for a potentially dangerous suspect. But it was the wrong apartment, and the woman who lived inside is now dead after suffering a heart attack.

Police smashed down an apartment door and used a flash grenade in their search for a potentially dangerous suspect. But it was the wrong apartment, and the woman who lived inside is now dead after suffering a heart attack.

What happened at 310 W. 143rd Street was meant to be the end result of a drug investigation based on confidential information from a police informant. But it is now among the most tragic errors of the NYPD.

Lucille Ross, Building Resident: "She was such a lovely person. If something was to happen with her like this, I want to know why."

The search warrant was apparently issued for apartment 6F in the multi-unit building. It was the home of Alberta Spruill.

Today Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said it was based on what investigators thought was reliable information. But it all turned out to be a terrible mistake.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly: "Entry was made by officers from our Emergency Services Unit who used a flash grenade during that entry. Once inside the officers found the occupant, a 57-year-old woman, identified as Alberta Spruill. She was briefly handcuffed while police conducted a cursory search of the apartment. The patrol captain then entered, and saw that the apartment did not match the description given by the informant, and immediately ordered that the handcuffs be removed."

The commissioner said Ms. Spruill soon told officers she had a heart condition, and then complained of chest pains. EMS was called to the scene and administered aid. But Ms. Spruill died a short time later at Harlem Hospital.

Commissioner Ray Kelly: "On behalf of the entire New York City Police Department, I want to offer my condolences and sympathy to the family of Alberta Spruill. I also want to offer my apology. This is indeed a profound tragedy."

Calvin Alston, Building Resident: "We're all just devestated. Really devestated. Because this is a woman that got up and went to church every day ... went to work every day. And we're all just devestated that this would happen to someone like this."

Police Commissioner Kelly did say a "flash grenade" was used at apartment 6F before officers entered. It may be the use of that flash grenade broke procedure. The ESU lieutenant who used it is now on administrative leave pending the investigation. Those grenades have been used 85 times this year.

And NYPD tells us only four mistakes out of 1,900 search warrants have been made this year. The investigation of this tragedy continues.

[Amelia]

Here's a clue: if there were all that many, it wouldn't be news when they find one.

[harrowup]

Don't try to draw me back into your little tangent.

Pardon me? May I suggest you use a smaller brush...and most certainly stay away from rollers.

[TLBSHOW]

most don't get caught...or if they do its covered up.

[Amelia]

Just thought since you were so interested in it all a couple of days ago.....

[sargon]

Another tragic death because of people using illegal drugs and forcing enforcement of law.

Another tragic death because of petty Drug War fascists.

[sargon]

What is obnoxious about your [A CA Guy] posts is the apparent slavish desire to justify any and all behavior by agents of government to accomplish their ends in the WOD.

Couldn't have said it better myself...

[headsonpikes]

Thanks.

[harrowup]

Just thought since you were so interested in it all a couple of days ago.....

I believe you have proved Tlb's point...you just want to argue about how many angels fit on the head of a pin...and when that doesn't work, make a mountain out of a mole hill... This discussion is about the destructive nature of SWATs in particular and taking scalps...at the risk of life and limb to the civvies.

Smash and grab by a LEO or by a punk is despicable. It is deadly.

[zoyd]

But, her health is an issue in that if this was a destructive device, law enforcement wouldn't use it in all likelihood.

It certainly wouldn't have been an issue IF THEY HAD BUSTED INTO THE CORRECT HOUSE.

Please, CA Guy, put your logic out of its misery. You've tortured it long enough.

[Amelia]

This discussion is about the destructive nature of SWATs in particular and taking scalps...at the risk of life and limb to the civvies.

Yes, I know...you never responded to my #269 which addressed the Constitutional issue.

You don't think the police might have felt there was good reason to grab their "dangerous suspect" in this manner? It has to be more dangerous for the police as well.

[harrowup]

I raised the issue in case you missed it...perhaps you should read that before you stamp your feet demanding answers to spurious questions.

I am not interested in playing tit-for-tat with a brat.

[Amelia]

Your reputation as a curmudgeon is well-earned.

[A CA Guy]

This was an human endeavor. The story says they had a near perfect record. Though this is a tragic situation, it was a 1 out of 1900 case.
The hundreds of lives SAVED in the course of their enforcement have to be taken into account as well.

My logic involves:
Not over-reacting until I know the facts on just emotion.
Finding out the facts I can.
Then applying them all against the issue.

This is a tragic death.
It will be investigated.
This was not an attempt at intentional deadly force.
She has a pre-existing heart condition.
That department has a near-perfect record.
Their enforcement saves lives.

[A CA Guy]

You are showing everybody who reads what you wrote that you have a preference to blame those that protect you from criminals. Yet, you have no responsibility for this on the criminals that brought the law officers to this door to begin with because of their involvement with drugs on a criminal level.
It's a tragic mistake with a very sick person.
Your comment also to me sounds like you are an illegal drug enabler. How proud can you be of that?

[A CA Guy]

Drunk drivers and illegal drug users show intent by their condition and perhaps habitual use and behavior.

This was bad information leading everything to the wrong door of a woman who happened to have a pre-existing heart condition. They had no intent to show up at a wrong door and has a great record.

[jayef]

BZZZT >>>>> Unsupported Claim

[A CA Guy]

I missed the part where using deadly and illegal substances which bend your mind is a Constitutional right. There were laws of the land voted in by our Democratic Republic that make some activities criminal. Which pretty much flushes your argument.

By the way, these no knock warrants probably have saved many officers lives in the course of their duty and allowed them to get a hold of evidence that would have gotten removed with the knock warning.
Since a Judge has to give this warrant, I have no problem with it.
Even where there were knocks, occasional mistakes could happen. No human endeavor is 100% perfect.

[jayef]

Do you really think he belives anything he's posting? I mean seriously, is anyone that thick headed?

[jayef]

A woman died. Somebody's mother. Somebody's grandmother. You have no problem with that? What if this was going on in your neighborhood? What if one of your neigbors was shot dead in their home? That's ok? What about you? Are you willing to make that sacrifice? Please say yes so I can call you a lying, stinking hypocrite.

[jayef]

Somehow an old lady's head got in your noose. How many more have to die?