Status Updates in a Standoff
from weatherbird:
““I’m currently in a standoff … kinda ugly, but ready for whatever. I love u guyz and if I don’t make it out of here alive that I’m in a better place and u were all great friends.””—Facebook post by Jason Valdez • Police say the 36-year-old Utah man updated his Facebook account during a tense 16-hour standoff with SWAT teams. Valdez was holding a woman hostage — he posted on Facebook that she was there voluntarily. Valdez made six posts and added at least a dozen new friends during the standoff. It ended when officers swarmed the room and Valdez shot himself in the chest with a handgun. He is in critical condition.
fewwords:
I’m not sure how I feel about Facebook entering the narrative of an armed standoff with police. Just another form of media like television coverage?
And then there’s this:
He even got some help from the outside over the social network: A friend posted that a SWAT officer was hiding in the bushes.
“Thank you homie,” Valdez replied. “Good looking out.”
[…]
Police believe that responses from Valdez’s friend gave him an advantage.
Authorities are now discussing whether some of Valdez’ friends should be arrested and charged with obstruction of justice for hampering a police investigation. “We’re not sure yet how to deal with it,” said Croyle.
