Latest news with #Burdett
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Christchurch police shooting: How do officers respond when threatened?
By Lauren Crimp of RNZ The officer who shot and killed a woman brandishing a hunting knife will have had a split second to react in a "frightening" scenario, a former top police negotiator says. On Wednesday night, the Christchurch officer first shot and critically injured a man who was carrying a hunting knife and chasing his partner from their Bryndwr home. They then shot and killed the woman when she picked up the knife and threatened officers. Police figures showed 55 people had been shot dead by an officer between 1916 and the end of the last year - and just one of those who died was a woman. Lance Burdett, who led negotiations with Jan Molenaar during the 2009 Napier siege, said officers were trained to use the most effective, least lethal method when they're threatened by someone with a weapon. "So, you start off with, can a baton be used? Can a Taser be used? And then if that's not available, a firearm," he said. "But when you're in the heat of the moment like that, and particularly if they're in close proximity... you don't have time to get your weapon out, the necessary one that's available." Officers had to make split second decisions to keep themselves and others safe, said Burdett. They are trained to shoot at the "centre mass" because it's the largest part of the body - but unfortunately, that is where vital organs are, he said. "I hear people saying 'why couldn't you shoot them in the leg?'. Well, you try, when somebody's running at you. "This is not the movies, this is real life and it's frightening." A hunting knife was a large, dangerous weapon that could do serious harm, Burdett said. He said a Taser or pepper spray might work against a person with a knife but they required distance and time, which an officer didn't necessarily have in such a volatile and rapidly evolving situation. "When people are highly emotional or on drugs or perhaps in some way mentally disaffected, these things don't work. Neither does communication... because they're not [using] the logic part of their brain they don't receive information the way it would normally be. "People will be shouting and running around and there'll be a lot happening and you're expected to make a split second decision when things are really, really dynamic." Police and independent watchdog investigate Police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority are both investigating. The officer's decision to shoot would form a "large part" of the investigation, Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill said. Burdett said within a few days, that officer would be formally interviewed "like any other person" as part of a criminal investigation. "You're given the Bill of Rights, you have the right to have a lawyer with you, and they will go through and interview exactly the same as any other person that's in that situation," he said. The officer would also be supported by police and the union, Burdett said. The Police Association President Chris Cahill declined to comment. How events unfolded Police were called to the Clyde Rd property in Bryndwr, Christchurch about 11pm on Wednesday after a person known to the couple called police to say the man was armed with a knife and threatening to hurt himself and his partner. When officers arrived, the woman ran out of the house, followed by the man with a hunting knife. "Police believed the woman was in risk of imminent serious harm, and fired a single shot, which hit the man," Commander Superintendent Hill said. An officer approached the man to provide first aid, he said. "The woman has picked up the knife and began to threaten officers, despite an appeal for her to put down the weapon, she has advanced on police, brandishing the knife. "A second shot was fired, hitting the woman." Officers immediately provided medical assistance, but she died at the scene, Hill said. A nearby resident told RNZ the couple were "always fighting", while their church pastor said the community had been devastated by the incident. The injured man was in a stable condition in Christchurch Hospital. The police cordons at the scene were lifted on Thursday night. Police minister's response Police Minister Mark Mitchell says the officers involved in Wednesday night's fatal shooting have his full support. Mitchell called it 'the worst case scenario for any police officer'. Speaking to Chris Lynch Media , he said the incident was 'an incredibly tragic situation' and that both the officers and the families of those involved were under immense strain. 'No police officer ever asks to be put in that position,' he said. 'It is extremely stressful on them and their families, and support has been wrapped around them straight away. My condolences and thoughts go to the family and friends of the man currently receiving medical treatment, and of course, to those mourning the tragic loss of the woman who died. There are no winners in this situation, he told Chris Lynch Media . Mitchell would not comment on the specific details of the Clyde Road shooting but said New Zealand police were 'world-class' and received 'world-class training' to deal with thousands of complex incidents every day. 'We should be extremely proud of them,' he said. Mitchell said the IPCA has 'the resources, the independence, and the experience' to conduct a thorough investigation. "They have been doing this for decades, they know how to handle these matters sensitively and properly." Mitchell urged the public not to speculate on what took place. "We should all wait for the findings of the investigation before making judgements,' he said. "They (police) are doing an outstanding job making your communities safer. If you see a police officer, give them a friendly word of encouragement, because right now they will be feeling it."
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Christchurch police shooting: How are officers trained to respond when they're threatened?
By Lauren Crimp of RNZ The officer who shot and killed a woman brandishing a hunting knife will have had a split second to react in a "frightening" scenario, a former top police negotiator says. On Wednesday night, the Christchurch officer first shot and critically injured a man who was carrying a hunting knife and chasing his partner from their Bryndwr home. They then shot and killed the woman when she picked up the knife and threatened officers. Police figures showed 55 people had been shot dead by an officer between 1916 and the end of the last year - and just one of those who died was a woman. Lance Burdett, who led negotiations with Jan Molenaar during the 2009 Napier siege, said officers were trained to use the most effective, least lethal method when they're threatened by someone with a weapon. "So, you start off with, can a baton be used? Can a taser be used? And then if that's not available, a firearm," he said. "But when you're in the heat of the moment like that, and particularly if they're in close proximity... you don't have time to get your weapon out, the necessary one that's available." Officers had to make split second decisions to keep themselves and others safe, said Burdett. They are trained to shoot at the "centre mass" because it's the largest part of the body - but unfortunately, that is where vital organs are, he said. "I hear people saying 'why couldn't you shoot them in the leg?'. Well, you try, when somebody's running at you. "This is not the movies, this is real life and it's frightening." A hunting knife is a large, dangerous weapon that can do serious harm, Burdett said. He said a taser or pepper spray might work against a person with a knife but they required distance and time, which an officer didn't necessarily have in such a volatile and rapidly evolving situation. "When people are highly emotional or on drugs or perhaps in some way mentally disaffected, these things don't work. Neither does communication... because they're not [using] the logic part of their brain they don't receive information the way it would normally be. "People will be shouting and running around and there'll be a lot happening and you're expected to make a split second decision when things are really, really dynamic." Police and independent watchdog investigate Police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority are both investigating. The officer's decision to shoot would form a "large part" of the investigation, said Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill. Burdett said within a few days, that officer would be formally interviewed "like any other person" as part of a criminal investigation. "You're given the Bill of Rights, you have the right to have a lawyer with you, and they will go through and interview exactly the same as any other person that's in that situation," he said. The officer would also be supported by police and the union, Burdett said. The Police Association President Chris Cahill declined to comment. How events unfolded Police were called to the Clyde Rd property in Bryndwr, Christchurch about 11pm on Wednesday after a person known to the couple called police to say the man was armed with a knife and threatening to hurt himself and his partner. When officers arrived, the woman ran out of the house, followed by the man with a hunting knife. "Police believed the woman was in risk of imminent serious harm, and fired a single shot, which hit the man," Commander Superintendent Hill said. An officer approached the man to provide first aid, he said. "The woman has picked up the knife and began to threaten officers, despite an appeal for her to put down the weapon, she has advanced on police, brandishing the knife. "A second shot was fired, hitting the woman." Officers immediately provided medical assistance, but she died at the scene, Hill said. A nearby resident told RNZ the couple were "always fighting", while their church pastor said the community had been devastated by the incident. The injured man was in a stable condition in Christchurch Hospital. The police cordons at the scene were lifted on Thursday night. Police minister's response Police Minister Mark Mitchell says the officers involved in Wednesday night's fatal shooting have his full support. Mitchell called it 'the worst case scenario for any police officer'. Speaking to Chris Lynch Media , he said the incident was 'an incredibly tragic situation' and that both the officers and the families of those involved were under immense strain. 'No police officer ever asks to be put in that position,' he said. 'It is extremely stressful on them and their families, and support has been wrapped around them straight away. My condolences and thoughts go to the family and friends of the man currently receiving medical treatment, and of course, to those mourning the tragic loss of the woman who died. There are no winners in this situation, he told Chris Lynch Media . Mitchell would not comment on the specific details of the Clyde Road shooting but said New Zealand police were 'world-class' and received 'world-class training' to deal with thousands of complex incidents every day. 'We should be extremely proud of them,' he said. Mitchell said the IPCA has 'the resources, the independence, and the experience' to conduct a thorough investigation. "They have been doing this for decades, they know how to handle these matters sensitively and properly." Mitchell urged the public not to speculate on what took place. "We should all wait for the findings of the investigation before making judgments,' he said. "They (police) are doing an outstanding job making your communities safer. If you see a police officer, give them a friendly word of encouragement, because right now they will be feeling it."
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Troopers charge Arkport motorist with three felonies in crash that injured DOT workers
An Arkport driver who allegedly struck and injured three people while driving through a state work zone in Hornellsville faces felony charges and a drugged driving count in connection to the June 11 crash. Hornell-based New York State Police said a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder driven by Brooke A. Burdett, 30, was southbound on state Route 36 at around 11 a.m. when it struck a trio of New York state Department of Transportation employees. The workers were washing down a bridge when the vehicle plowed into the work zone at 36 and county Road 70A., Hornell public safety officials said. The Pathfinder then collided with a DOT vehicle stationed at the site, troopers said. Two of the workers, ages 52 and 60, were taken to St. James Hospital in Hornell. The third, a 30-year-old, was airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. All three were released from the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, State Police said. Burdett was charged with three counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, a class D felony, driving while ability impaired by drugs, a misdemeanor, and several traffic infractions. Troopers said Burdett appeared in Steuben County Central Arraignment Court. Three Hornell Fire Department rigs went to the crash, according to Fire Chief Frank Brzozowski. 'When the first call came in, it said bad accident, a car plowed through a construction area, several people injured. So we were addressing it as a mass casualty incident,' Brzozowski told the Hornell Board of Public Safety Thursday. "That is our primary area, so we dispatched automatically with North Hornell Fire (Department).' More: Things to do, specials to take advantage of in Hornell area on Father's Day 2025, June 15 Brzozowski said fire department personnel were gratified there were not as many people hurt as originally feared. The Hornell Police Department also responded to the scene, providing safety control and investigative assistance, Police Chief TJ Murray said. .Email Neal Simon at nsimon@ To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: DOT workers released from hospitals, Arkport driver arrested in crash
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Homelessness increased in Northeast TN, according to 2025 PIT Count
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – In January, the annual Point in Time (PIT) count surveyed the number of unhoused people in Northeast Tennessee. Now, the results are in and show homelessness has nearly tripled since 2020. In 2020, the PIT count found nearly 400 people without housing. This year, the number is over 900. The annual survey is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in order for organizations and local governments to receive federal funding to combat homelessness. Volunteers and social service agency members spend a night finding unhoused individuals and interviewing them to try and analyze trends. PREVIOUS: Northeast Tennessee PIT Count organizer discusses importance of taking census on homelessness Opal Frye-Clark is the President of the Unity Housing board. She believes there are more unhoused people than the survey found. 'This is a snapshot within a 24-hour period of time that you go out into the community, and you try to physically count the number of individuals experiencing homelessness,' said Frye-Clark. 'While there was a specific number that yielded results from this year, it doesn't necessarily encompass everybody that's experiencing homelessness.' Terry Burdett is the Homeless Management Information Systems Manager at the Appalachian Regional Coalition on Homelessness (ARCH). He said there are multiple reasons the number has increased, including rent hikes. 'We have an affordable rental housing problem, and our older folks that are on fixed incomes, they're struggling in our communities,' said Burdett. 'I'm not saying that we've got this huge increase on elderly homeless, but our demographics are aging just a little bit every year.' In Johnson City, rent has increased from 12% to over 17%, according to the 2025 Housing Needs Assessment. Report details changes in Johnson City housing Burdett also noted that 10% of the respondents said they are homeless due to Hurricane Helene. Both Frye-Clark and Burdett said the public can help by donating or volunteering at local homeless assistance centers and shelters. 'If you're going to get involved, I would check out the organizations that are already doing things,' Frye-Clark said. 'Support your local government in making decisions to increase the amount of housing opportunities for local individuals in the area.' 'A lot of our grants help with rental assistance,' said Burdett, 'but then we have the issues with 'how about kitchenware?', you know, dining stuff, a bed to sleep on, a couch to sit on. So those are things that are difficult to pay with the grants, but funding outside the grants system can help us.' The PIT count also showed an increase in unhoused people with severe mental health and substance abuse issues. 40% of those surveyed struggled with one or both of those factors. Burdett said he thinks there is no reason to believe these solely contribute to homelessness. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Council apologises for gassing moles to death in graveyard
A council has apologised for using a gassing agent to kill 'out of control' moles 'disrupting the serenity' in a church graveyard. Tadley town council triggered outrage among residents after dead, poisoned moles were left strewn across the burial ground in Tadley, Basingstoke. Avril Burdett, chairman of Tadley Town Council, said the molehills were unsightly, caused a trip hazard to elderly mourners visiting the graves and had upset those whose loved ones were buried there. 'It's rather inappropriate to have burrowing animals around graves,' she said. Cllr Burdett said the decision to use the gassing agent was 'very difficult,' but 'sadly necessary', adding: 'I'm sorry that we've upset people.' Residents raised concern when they were warned to avoid the area around St Peter's Church while the 'mole removal' took place. A sign pinned to a gate read: 'Burial ground closed 14-16 January. Mole removal is taking place using Talunex aluminium phosphide gassing agent. People and dogs must keep away from this area.' The gassing agent is a rodenticide used to kill moles, rats and rabbits. Phosphine gas is produced when the pellets come into contact with moisture, producing a garlic or carbide odour. It is highly toxic and flammable. Breathing in aluminium phosphine can irritate the nose, throat and lungs causing coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. The council said it was forced to take the decision after 'traditional trapping methods proved ineffective'. In an email response to a resident, seen by The Telegraph, the council said that 'for some time, the burial ground has faced significant challenges due to mole activity'. The email added: 'Initially, we employed traditional trapping methods in an effort to manage the problem. These measures failed to achieve the necessary level of control. The number of moles and their activity continued to escalate, exacerbating the damage.' But residents have rejected the reasoning, with many expressing fears of contaminated water sources and secondary poisoning to local wildlife. One local pest controller, who wished to remain anonymous, branded the use of rodenticides as 'inhumane'. 'Using gas as a method of pest control can lead to significant suffering for the animals, as it causes distress and a prolonged death, which is ethically unacceptable in my opinion,' he said. Residents' frustration initially landed at the gates of St Peter's, with many blaming the church for letting the council go ahead with its plans. But the church denied all knowledge, telling residents: 'I'm afraid we knew nothing about this or the closure of the burial ground for this period. This has not been organised by the church. The graveyard around St Peter's is managed by the town council and Basingstoke and Deane borough council.'
