We are basically in a holding pattern as we wait for more details on just how tonight’s rapid and violent end of the Oregon militia stand off unfolded and the identity of the person who died in the exchange of gunfire between the militants and federal law enforcement. For details up to the moment, see our current feature story. There are many unconfirmed reports; none solid enough to go on as yet. Here’s the official statement from the FBI.
What appears to have happened is that federal authorities saw an opportunity to apprehend most of the key militia leaders – including Ammon Bundy – as they were traveling to a meeting in John Day, Oregon which is roughly a hundred miles from the compound they’ve occupied for weeks. This was apparently another public, townhall meeting type event. Among the many things we do not yet know is how long in advance the FBI planned to apprehension. What seems clear is that this was an opportunity to apprehend most or all of the key leaders at one moment, away from the compound they’d presumably prepared for a raid.
We’ll bring your more details as soon as we have them.
