Disturbing Details in the Execution of a Young Man by 7 Trigger happy Rochester, N.Y. Cops
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By Davy V.
For the first time, I went to the scene where 20 year old Israel "Izzy" Andino was executed by a firing squad of 7 Rochester, N.Y. Police officers just a few houses from his Locust Street home on Rochester's northwest side. Rochester Police Chief James Sheppard claims that Andino fired at his officers first. Witnesses say that is absolutely not true and that the Rochester Police is lying in order to cover up the incident.
Andino, who had a history of mental health issues, got into an argument with his mother, pushed her against a wall, then ran out of the house. Rochester Police Chief James Sheppard claims that Andino made a call to 911 saying that he had just stabbed his mother and was going to shoot other people.
The truth however is that Israel Andino never stabbed his mother, he simply pushed her and she suffered some minor cuts and bruises. Less than 20 minutes later, 7 Rochester Police officers opened fire on Izzy, killing him instantly.
A curbside memorial with candles, teddy bears and a wooden cross with black and red New York Yankees baseball caps hanging from it, marks the spot where Izzy's body lay. In the center of the memorial, a birthday cake wrapped in plastic. Israel "Izzy" Andino was executed on his birthday. The sidewalk was still stained a brownish red from his blood. Dozens of neighbors and friends walked up to the memorial, crying and hugging each other.
One woman came up to me sobbing asking me if the rumor was true. "Are they really going to take his body back to Puerto Rico?" she asked me as she choked back her tears. I told her I did not know.
As I stood there, there was one thing I did know. I knew that this young man did not have to die like this, in what I call a "firing squad" of at least 7 Rochester, N.Y. Police officers who all shot 20 year old Israel Andino at the same time.
Someone in the crowd wanted me to see where the bullets hit. There were so many that I couldn't keep up. Some people said that as many as 11 bullets hit Izzy in his torso, more commonly referred to by police officers as "center mass." It is that section of the body just above the waist and just below the neck. It is where police officers are trained to shoot, and not shoot to wound, shoot to kill.
There were at least 3 bullets that hit the asphalt driveway of the house at 103 Locust Street which is where Israel was executed. The bullets made dents on the pavement, and I could still see the white chalk circles that Rochester Police technicians drew around the dents marking where each bullet hit.
At least three homes on the street were also hit in the barrage of bullets, including 103 Locust St.
There was a bullet that hit the porch and broke off one of the sections of siding. Little splinters of wood lay scattered on the grass in front of the house, from where the bullet penetrated deep into the house underneath the siding. Another bullet hit the porch's ceiling, which had to be at least 15 feet off street level which is where all 7 Rochester Police officers were shooting from. That bullet then ricocheted off the ceiling and went through the home's front window, were a family was inside with their young children.
A young man told me that a van, which was parked in the driveway and was also riddled with bullets was towed away by the R.P.D. technicians for evidence.
The houses next door were also riddled with bullets. In all, I counted at least 15 shots that hit the houses, not counting the 11 that hit Israel or the ones that hit the van.
As I stood there taking it all in, not only was I thinking just how senseless it was that a young man with mental health issues who needed help, was instead executed by at least 7 cops, but I also couldn't help but to think of how reckless these Rochester Police officers were to fire these many shots at 7:30 in the morning, in the direction of several homes with innocent families and young children.
And as I looked at the blood-stained sidewalk, I couldn't help but to feel sad for this young man who did not deserve to die being target practice for a gang of trigger happy R.P.D. cops.
The Rochester, N.Y. Police department ordered the owner of a corner grocery store to close, then confiscated video surveillance of the store's camera, which captured the moments before Izzy was executed. Witnesses say that the police officers had several opportunities to move in on Israel Andino without needing to shoot him. In fact, several people said that Israel Andino kneeled down near the store's parking lot and had the rifle across his lap, while he slapped his forehaed with both of his hands. Witnesses say that this should have been a perfect time for R.P.D. officers to taser Izzy, or use another weapon the R.P.D. made a huge deal about years ago, but almost never use, the bean bag gun.
A bean bag round consists of a small fabric "pillow" which is filled with #9 lead shot, and is fired from a normal 12-gauge shotgun. It is designed to deliver a blow that will cause minimum long-term trauma and no penetration but will result in a muscle spasm or other reaction to briefly render a violent suspect immobile.
As I was getting ready to leave the curbside memorial, one of Izzy's friends came up to me. This man was the same one who in news reports had described Izzy as a good kid, and as someone whom his kids, especially his three year old son "adored." The man asked me "You want to know something I saw that I can't get out of my mind?" then he said to me "As Izzy's body lay there on that sidewalk for almost 8 hours, uncovered, an R.P.D. cop came over to the body, slapped Izzy's face a few times then said, Yep! he's dead and chuckled."
Not only did the R.P.D. execute a Mentally-ill man in firing squad fashion, but even after this young man's body lay on the sidewalk, full of bullet holes, R.P.D. cops disrespect his corpse and make fun of his death.
Carmen Baez, Israel's mother said "I need justice to be done for my child, because I feel what was done to my child was unjustifiable for me. They never tried to talk him down.”
Comments
Press Release
Citizens Against Police Brutality & Misconduct.
President
(585) 739-7113
Loria has successfully sued the City of Rochester and various members and former members of the Rochester Police Department four separate times in Federal Court back in the 1990’s for violating his civil rights. Loria currently has a 5th, 6th, and 7th lawsuit against the City and certain members of the Rochester Police Department pending in Federal Court.
Official Statement:
C.A.P.B.M.
One of the bad things to having successfully exposing police misconduct in my said lawsuits against the City and RPD; is that some ignorant individuals such as Davy V. will go as far as to hold a rally on Monday June 25, 2012, to mislead citizens & the public, regarding the true facts of an incident like the unfortunate police killing of Israel (“Izzy”) Andino to make himself look like something he’s clearly not!
Rochester Police Officers were 100 % justified in shooting Israel (“Izzy”) Andino on June 21, 2012.
The facts in the Israel Andino shooting are entirely different than the facts in the unnecessary killing of Hayden Blackman on October 13, 2011.
bold statement
100% Justified?
The Facts
President
C.A.P.B.M.
FACTS based on interviews with people and from multiple media outlets/organizations
• Israel (“Issy”) Andino was not executed: Executed means,
Kill an unarmed person!
• Israel Andino was armed and in possession of a 12 gage
shot gun @ time of incident.
• I talked to Israel Andino’s best friend @ 4:30 p.m. on
date of incident Thursday June 21, 2012, who witnessed
the entire unfortunate incident.
• Israel Andino was suicidal (“Richard Snyder was Andino’s
friend for 12 years. He says Andino was depressed and
talked about committing suicide”), psychotic and
extremely dangerous (“Rudolph Redding, witness, said, I
watched everything because there are kids out here. I
didn’t even know if he had a real gun or not but I know it
made me afraid.”
• Israel Andino did shoot @ the 7 RPD officers, and several
officers returned fire,” says Joel Fuentes, the stepfather.
Thank you Indymedia and everyone for your continued support!
Davy, you did an amazing job at the rally today! JUSTICE FOR DIABLO
Mike Barrile
Anything I can do to help! You're a great leader I think it went well. If it wasn't on a week day I think way more people woulda came
Stephanie Formicola
The rally VS Sheriff over dead dog shotting is organ'd by a well known cop hater, Does this matter in terms of news coverage? Yur thoughts.
Berkeley Brean Twitter Tweet
The Protest leader, David Vara just said we have "trigger happy sheriff's deputies that love to pump lead into innocent dogs."
Berkeley Brean Twitter Tweet
Davy V., You are an absolutely amazing person and friend. God Bless you for your energy and determination...especially for Diablo.
Corina Loiacono Kasandrinos
Davy you are doing a great job and i mean that i saw you in action on tues great.....diablo was one of the most lovable dogs i ever met..keep up the good work i will be there sunday
Scott Jermyn
Davy, Ill be at the next really again! What your doing is absolutley amazing
Brittany Lynn
Davy V... I saw what you do as far as protesting
thats really awesome
Jenivieve Sand
Davy,
as a dog lover I really appreciate your work
J.N.
Davy V.,
we need people like you to rally for a cause, and get some results....i cant believe the number of deaths in monroe cty alone of family dogs killed by police...things need to change, and soon....thankyou for your time and effort!
Rosalie Nealon Lizzio
Davy Vara, I give you alot of credit for organizing these rallies. You are a good person someone has to be the voice for the voiceless, RIP Diablo I hope Justice will be served to the Cops that did this unnecessary killing.
Barbara Bushaun
Davy, YOU ARE DOING GREAT. You're bullinghorning, like Alex Jones !!! I actually thought Diablos murder was the first time it happened here, I didnt know how often it happened in Rochester !! It is just as important on the streets, b/c that reaches hundreds, if not thousands driving by that would not/may not go online or watch TV. I spoke to someone the other day that didnt know any of this(lived in penfield too). Alot of ppl do not read the paper or watch tv. Did you hear what Bob L said on his show @ you , tuesday , i think ?
Juli Anne
Ynn said police raided a house in Henrietta yesterday. Entry team was confronted by a pit bull and they did not shoot it. You are making progress thank you!
St. Michael Gala Esq.
Davy V.
YNN NEWS IS REPORTING THAT MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES BUSTED A HOME IN HENRIETTA FOR DRUGS AND WERE CONFRONTED WITH A PITBULL AND THEY "DID NOT SHOOT IT" ! WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS!
Davy V. good keep the heat on them , they have no right to kill people's pets !
Barbara Chance Vagg
and I can't thank you enough for what you re doing, I plan on being at the rally Sunday .
Barbara Chance Vagg
Yet another wonderful addition to our schedule: 15 year veteran videographer, writer, and activist Davy V. will be on a panel to discuss how we can better police the police! Check out his bio and others at the link below! http://tenyearsrocindymedia.org/bios
Rochester Indymedia
Davy V. I watched your Rally LIVE the whole time from Atlanta...Thanks for your contributions...this was so wrong and will not be let go!
Jennifer Elizabeth
You did good --- REAL GOOD! thank you for leading.
Howard Eagle
I watched. Great job Davy. Thank you.
Mary Lou Arena Copenhagen
Thanks again Davy!!
Gary Brockler
WATCHED IT DAVE IT WAS A GOOD RALLY
Katherine Thompson Barnhart
Davy Let me know when the next rally is I'll be at them all!
Stephanie Formicola
I WATCHED IT AND IT LIKE I SAID BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES I AM FROM CLIFTON SPRINGS NY. AND WHAT YOUR DOING IS WONDERFUL BECUZ IT IS SENDING A MESSAGE TO THESE COPS OR ANYONE THAT ITS NOT OK TO SHOOT SOMEONES DOG OR I SHOULD SAY ASSINATE THEM IN THERE OWN YARD THEY KNEW THERE WAS A SIGN POSTED FOR THE INVISABLE FENCE AND THEN FOR THEM TO CHANGE THEIR STORY FROM A PARTY TO A CAR PARKED ILLEGALY. REALLY? I WILL SUPPORT THIS NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES BECUZ I AM AN ANIMAL LOVER AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY SHOT HIS POOR INNOCENT DOG...I AM ANGERED OVER THIS.I GUESS IF U WEAR A BADGE CARRY A GUN YOU CAN DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING ...WRONG!! THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED. R.I.P. DIABLO U WILL GET JUSTICE
Katherine Thompson Barnhart
wish i could use a bullhorn like Davy Vara i would be out of breath the first paragraph lol ,much respect sir
Richard Whiten
That is awesome, must folks dont have the (explicative) to do what you and your dad did! you rock, brother! jj
Jimmy Judson from Phoenix
Davy, you have inspired me. It takes brass nuts, to do what you are doing. (John Wayne type stuff)......I really hope our paths meet.
Jimmy Judson from Phoenix
Not yet but I think they want to be careful on how to proceed. Davy Vara who is a award winning film activist is putting heat on the Department he won 2 law suits against the city and the police department on a police officer that entered his house and beat him and arrested him he came into the house with out a warrant.
That officer Nick Joseph is still in prison for getting into a accident while high on cocanine and hitting car car with a pregnant woman inside.
Hopefully, the necropsy on Diablo will determinate that the officers were wrong and lying about the incident, Diablo could have not been advancing as trained as he was and the bullet behind his head.
Eddie Cibtron
the rally Sunday was broadcast around the world.
Eddie Contron
you, Davy, are a person who has and will continue to make a difference! Be proud!
Suzanne Nugent
Davy you are amazing , I can't thank you enough for all you are doing for Diablo ,and the many other pits who may become target to these trigger happy cops .
Barb Chance Vagg
Thank You to you for working tirelessly to get Justice for Dear Sweet Diablo. Hopefully no more family members will be tormented and killed due to power hungry cops!!!!!
Erica Cortese
I THANK ALL OF MY BROTHER AND SISTER ACTIVST FOR EXPOSING CORRUPTION , IT IS OUR GOD GIVEN DUTIES TO DO ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN AND TO UPHOLD LAW NOT THE CROOKED PREMISE OF TAINTED LEGAL . AND TO YOU DAVY FOR HAVING THE BALLS TO STAY ON THE FRONT LINES . ROCHESTER , MUST JOIN THE FIGHT TO RECTIFY HUMANITY AND REGAIN OUR STATUS SINCE THEY DEPOSED SCHEMES ON US AND OUR CHILDREN .
Donald Frazier
Welcome to Davy Vara the newest contributor to Cop Block!!
He spearheaded a couple rallies recently in his hometown of Rochester, NY around the slaying of a pitbull named Diablo that you've probably seen on the site and brings with him a lot of relevant background experiences, on-the-ground activism and genuine passion aimed at police accountability.
Here's his bio:
Davy V. is a Cuban-American Filmmaker, Video Producer, Photographer and Freelance Writer, best known for using the power of video and film to expose Police Brutality, Corruption and Misconduct.
The son of the late Mario Vara, a community activist who for years fought against Police Brutality and Misconduct in Rochester, New York, Davy V. got his start in Television and Video by tagging along and working camera for his father's cable access television show, "La Voz Del Pueblo" (The Voice of The People).
Davy V. later went on to produce and host "KEEP IT ON THE REEL", a cable access TV show with a mix of Hip Hop as well as issues affecting African-Americans and Latinos in Rochester, NY, such as Police Brutality and Misconduct. Some guests on the show included Treach, KayGee and Vinnie of Naughty by Nature, Method Man, Funkdoobiest, Da Youngstas, and the Rottin' Razkals.
Davy V. won the U.S. ACM Video Festival Award for his Documentary, "R.P.D. EXPOSED!" about the Rochester, New York Police Department and their long history of misconduct, corruption and unnecessary killings of unarmed innocent citizens.
"R.P.D. EXPOSED!" and Davy V.'s follow up, "R.P.D.: Badges of DISHONOR, CORRUPTION and MURDER!" were both screened at the National Hip Hop Political Convention at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey.
Davy V.'s work has been featured in publications such as THE SOURCE Hip Hop Magazine, URBAN AMERICA Magazine, The Ave. Magazine, Insider Magazine, La Voz Newspaper, Minority Reporter Newspaper, CNY LATINO Newspaper, DOWN Magazine, as well as on television news stations, and programs such as CNN and Inside Edition.
In addition to his freelance writing, Davy V. also writes a monthly Op/Ed Column for LA VOZ Magazine and Minority Reporter Newspaper.
In June 2012, Davy V. joined Cop Block as a regular contributor.
Welcome Davy, Thanks for the support. If you have any questions about anything feel free to ask here, we're all here to help.Thanks again and welcome.
Robert
I posted on the blog Davy, you are doing a extra ordinary job you were moved just like I was I see many causes and many petitions come my way but I only respond to petitions and causes that have real important and immediate merit such as in this case.
When I heard Gary there was something just in his voice that indicated he was telling the truth, you know I learned to interpret body language with my dog but I also know when people are truthful and sincere about their comments or beliefs.
This will not go away because as I sent you a message I am collecting all comments by people that knew the dog or seen him in the front yard and never did they see aggression.
The Sheriff CANNOT dispute this whatever the outcome we will take it to the next level our State legal system will have to look into this if a different finding is found because with what is being presented the Sheriff has not option but to "Do The Right Thing"
I commend the extra hard work you have put into this because I know it's hard to put our emotions aside with the ones we care about just to focus on work that has to get done to eradicate all of this abuse with the police department, they actually thing they are above the law because of the badge.
Eddie Cintron
Happy Happy Father's Day to you Davy, I am glad there are people like you fighting for justice from our corrupt legal system and police department. I only wish there more strong blunt people out there that will tell it like it is. I will never give up till there is justice for that sweet dog Diablo!!!!
Erica Cortese
I have read several of your articles I commend you for standing up for the little ppl keep fighting the good fight
Sandra Iprovide Davila
Davy V. great work you're doing in the community. I'll see you on monday, and i hope i can help drum up some support. No more state murder!
Alex Comardo
This man right here makes movements! If I had more free time from work I would be at every rally to repereset. Maybe you could get something together like the school bus incident to donate to Gary Brockler about his dog becuase I'm sure this all isn't cheap. I know myself and a bunch of my friends would be behind him kicking some money his way. Keep doing what your doing Davy shineing light on many issues in the city, single handedly organizing rally's and making certain storyies go international. I just want you to know Davy that the some of us that can't attend rally's sometimes still are behind you and respect you for what you do! Thankyou!
Kristina Anderson
I noticed it too ..... The whole government is corrupted just like our city official's !!! ( the real stories come from you ) cause even the media cant be trusted !!!
Chrisine Cruz
Fullam I honestly hope that she donates most of if not all of it. It's not even a hundred percent if he will get the money too because she will have to pay taxes on it. At this point I do agree it's getting blown outta proportion, and thats why I love Davy because he gets ppl to look at things in a different light.
Tracie Bakewicz
Davy, Fridays blog post is so moving... your writing is quiet powerful. Do you mind if I post to Indymedia?
Andy Dillon
All dis wouldnt had happen if it wasnt for Davy V...he is a wonderful support system...thank u for da articles about Israel nd da rally...my cuzzin IZZY sends his love.GOD BLESS YOU
Tasha Rivera
So , the rally for IZZY was great and tearful and all the truth was spoken , may he rest in peace knowing we actually have a community who care's and support's these rally's that Davy Vara host's and call's out the real slime in our city ( your a great man ) i respect all your talent and work put in on this city ...... Still waiting for new's clip's but they may have been warned to not submit their stories on this crime !!! Ggggrrrrrr
Christine Cruz
Davy v is amazing !!
Jessica Nicole
god bless u ..davy..
Terry Wyatt
Terry Wyatt will do.your the best..keep doing what u are doing ..man.we need more soldier like you. keep doing what u are doing ..man