On Tuesday, the NYPD responded to pro-Hamas groups that barricaded themselves inside of Hamilton Hall on Columbia University’s campus. The law enforcement response was long-anticipated as the school’s administration announced that negotiations had failed. The administration subsequently requested protestors who occupied a “tent city” encampment for about two weeks voluntarily vacate or face suspension on Monday, giving a deadline of 2 p.m.
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Of course, they didn’t. Organizers for the pro-terror group said:
We will not be moved unless by force.
They would soon get their wish.
Overnight on Monday, the group took over the Hamilton Hall building by force, even keeping at least one of the prior occupants there against their will, which is called kidnapping, abduction…or hostage-taking.
The following night, around 9 p.m., the NYPD had to use an extension ladder and enter through a window to breach the barricaded building in a highly tactical operation. The law enforcement activity was successful, resulting in the building being cleared and police making over 100 arrests.
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While all is well that ends well, a mishap is reported to have occurred during NYPD’s operation. On Thursday, Doug Cohen, a spokesperson with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office confirmed an incident of a firearm being discharged by law enforcement is under review.
Cohen told The City NYCthat an officer discharged his weapon inside Hamilton Hall, while it was not pointed at anyone, and there were no students/protestors nearby, only other law enforcement officers. ThePolice Accountability Unit is reviewing what appears to be an accidental discharge.
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Rumors circulated on campus that a gunshot had occurred, but had not been confirmed until Thursday. A video circulated on social media, that allegedly showed an NYPD officer texting the phrase “thought we f****** shot someone.”
City Hall released a report on Thursday evening detailing the arrests made during the campus protests at Columbia and City College of New York. The report showed that individuals labeled as “unaffiliated” with these schools, referred to by NYC Mayor Eric Adams as “agitators,” made up about 30 percent of the 112 occupiers arrested at Columbia and 60 percent of those arrested at City College.
I personally saw criticism online amid the police response, with some commenters upset that NYPD entered rooms with firearms drawn. What I didn’t understand is why they thought a tactical unit of police should drop their training and not clear a room in a way any law enforcement agency would.
I also believe in gun safety. An accidental discharge is an issue that must be investigated and addressed with additional training.
What the pro-Hamas crowd did was unsafe, they took over a building, held at least one person against their will, and refused to leave unless force was used. In their own words, they invited a law enforcement response and use of force. Now, we know that significant portions of these rioters were not even affiliated with the colleges, and were outside agitators.
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An accidental firearm discharge isn’t quite the siege at Waco, where America watched on live TV as military-style tanks punched holes into the compound and fires broke out with dozens of people inside. Still, the pro-Hamas crybabies will act like their lives were at risk.
The illegally occupying terrorist sympathizers did more to put themselves at risk than vice versa. You’re an idiot if you barricade yourself somewhere, say you won’t leave without the use of force, and then try to play the victim when removed by force.
Brace yourselves, the campus crybabies are going to be very upset that they caused a dangerous scenario by doing illegal acts.
Read More:
WATCH: Tears Fall Like Rain As Police Retake Hamilton Hall and Take Down Pro-Hamas
NYPD Chief of Patrol’s Perfect Response to Leftist Official’s Tantrum Over Columbia Police Crackdown