◆ SpookStack

I also want to express my heartfelt condolences co Mrs. Degan. This Country asked her husband to make the ultimate sacrifice. What happened at Ruby Ridge and its aftermath fails to honor the price paid by this dedicated public servant. We, as a Nation, should never forget those left behind when an officer dies in the line of duty. At Ruby Ridge, the Hostage Rescue Team ("HRT") was operating in accordance with rules of engagement that were reasonably subject to interpretation that would permit a violation of FBI policy and the Constitution. Those rules said that, under certain circumstances, certain persons “can and should" be the subject of deadly force. Those rules of engagement were contrary to law and FBI policy. Moreover, some FBI SWAT personnel on-scene interpreted the rules as a "shoot-on-sight" policy -- which they knew was inconsistent with the FBI's deadly force policy. Such confusion is entirely unacceptable. According to Special Agent Lon Horiuchi, the HRT sniper who accidentally shot Mrs. Weaver, he fired two shots on August 22, 1992, both_ pursuant to the FBI's deadly force policy. He has testified that he did not shoot pursuant to the rules of engagement that I just mentioned. The shot that killed Mrs. Weaver was the second that Special Agent Horiuchi fired. He testified that it was not intended for Mrs. Wéaver and was not fired at her. In discussing Special Agent Horiuchi's second shot, I am not saying that I approve of it. I am not trying to justify it. I am