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.

[newwahoo]

"End the prohibition. Remove the profit and the corruption ends. Remove the profit and the turf wars end. When was the last time you saw beer brewers or liquor distillers engaged in a shootout? Here's a hint -- When did prohibition end?"

It makes sense to me but not to the majority of voters yet. Until then these guys are a menace and have to be hit hard.

[newwahoo]

"No-knock raids increased under Giuliani? I thought his crackdown was on public drug sales (and use)."

I would guess yes but I don't have any stats. He really tried to drive the dealing off the streets though to cut down on the number of innocents getting caught up in their gun battles.

[MrLeRoy]

He really tried to drive the dealing off the streets though to cut down on the number of innocents getting caught up in their gun battles.

It'd be easier to get drug sales off the street if there was someplace else that it was allowed to go.

[A CA Guy]

I'm saying you mosly write catch phrases, probably off some pro-drug site. Not a surprise at all.

[A CA Guy]

Correct, illegal drug use is a crime because it is "forcing" normal people to deal and suffer with death, poverty, social costs associated with a mutant illegal drug culture and addicts. It destroys families and societies. There is no up side to it. You have to be a total moron to do illegal drugs.

We agree on that "forced" issue for sure, thanks for the assistance.

[headsonpikes]

Your non sequiturs unsettle me; you're responding to a phantom of your own creation.

I got the 'Koolaid-drinkers' catch-phrase from this site.

Don't go all weird.

[zoyd]

Your definition of "True Liberty" must be "anarchy" for all then.

How can you expect anyone on this board to take you seriously, when you say things like this?

Please point out to me where he advocates anarchy. Otherwise, ease off the rhetoric and try and stay on-point.

If legalizing pot is somehow contrued in your mind as 'anarchy', then I guess legalizing alcohol 80 years ago was also an expression of anarchy, huh? We ENDED Prohibition. We LEGALIZED alcohol. Heaven forbid, we're becoming Anarchists!

Ease off the tired, red herring rhetoric. Libertarians don't want to legalize murder and rape, as difficult as that might be for you to believe. Jeez. Can't anyone have an honest discussion about governmental rights without whackos pulling out the tired, tired, tired "Anarchy" card? Sigh.

[zoyd]

Correct, illegal drug use is a crime because it is "forcing" normal people to deal and suffer with death, poverty, social costs associated with a mutant illegal drug culture and addicts. It destroys families and societies. There is no up side to it. You have to be a total moron to do illegal drugs.

Please substitute the word "alcohol" for the words "illegal drug", and then explain to me why I can buy a Coors at my local corner store,

[A CA Guy]

You had more catch phrases going in your posts than a Taco Bell commercial it seems from my reading of your posts. If you want to say it is just that one, that is fine with me, who cares?

[A CA Guy]

True, in the law, if you get intoxicated on alcohol and do illegal activities, you are equally a mutant scumbag.

We agree, of course. I had my neck broken by a drunk driver and won't argue that point at all.

[samuel_adams_us]

Time to sue the ..it out of the cops! Let me know where I can send the money to help. Nothing worse than renegade cops abusing their power and being above the law.

[zoyd]

So why don't you advocate bringing back Prohibition?

I don't see that point anywhere in your posts.

[samuel_adams_us]

What? A life for a joint?

[samuel_adams_us]

The fault lies with the cops who are too stupid to be able to get the right address. I have a two year old who could do a better job getting the right door. Of course cops aren't necessarily the sharpest knives in the drawer, if they were they wouldn't be risking their lives for 50k a year.

[samuel_adams_us]

To be honest, if they did that in my home to my son, the man who pulled the trigger would be carved up in pieces and cast to the four winds of the earth after he was skinned alive.

[A CA Guy]

The reason they can take me seriously is because I am pointing out that some people take the term "True Liberty" to mean they are impervious to personnel responsibility by normal standards and don't believe in following the current laws of the land.
So when you try to self medicate or do WHATEVER because you the term "True Liberty", that is true bullsh!t!

To just do anything you want is called True Anarchy, not True Liberty!

[A CA Guy]

The cops were perhaps given less than accurate tips from several sources.
They are obliged to check them out as they are tips about terrorism.
If we in fact practice what you preached, we'd be attacked a hell of a lot more and that doesn't satisfy me at all.

By the way, because you impostor a great man who already spoke all his own words when he was alive, I barely pay attention to ANY of your impostor posts.
If I did, it wouldn't be fair to the real Sam Adams who was never you.

[A CA Guy]

Because it's a different issue. Start an alcohol thread and invite me.

[A CA Guy]

Have a good day, I think this thread has long run it's course.

[samuel_adams_us]

You typify the California persuasion, no reality. I am not an imposter, I chose the name for my views and how I am willing to stand up for what I believe in, not because I was trying to take credit for another mans life or pretend to sway others because of the moniker. Try getting a life or at least some clean air.