THE FBI HAS released the video of a militiaman killed by police in Oregon on Tuesday.
The video is more than 26 minutes long and shows a dramatic chase between the police and Robert ‘LaVoy’ Finicum, who eventually careens into a snowbank in an attempt to avoid a roadblock – after which he gets out of his vehicle and begins a standoff with police.
After initially raising his hands, Finicum is then seen to reach for his pocket – at which time the police open fire on him.
It was reported that the gun was later found in the pocket that he had reached for.
Finicum, originally from Cain Beds, Arizona, was part of a group that had occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge since 2 January.
The group took up position on the ranch in opposition to prison sentences handed down to two local ranchers convicted of setting fires.
However, their cause morphed into something broader, and the group – made up of ranchers who had travelled to the area for the protest – attempted to make a point about federal land restrictions.
A few days after the start of the occupation, Finicum made comments to the press that seemed ominous considering his eventual fate.
Stating that he knew there was a warrant for his arrest, he went on to say:
I have grown up loving the fresh air. I love the elements. And this is where I’m going to breathe my last breath…
I’m not going to spend my last days in a cell. This world is too beautiful to spend it in a cell.
Four people remain at the wildlife reserve continuing the occupation.
- Contains reporting from Associated Press
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