Airplane shot down in Colombia

Dave S wrote:
Aviv Hod wrote:
Summary: US and Colombian agents shoot down a smuggling suspect:

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=063_1182300981

This is shocking to me on so many levels - extrajudicial execution on
tape with Americans involved. Drug smuggling is a problem and all,
but this isn't like a police car chase where there is clear danger to
bystanders. Couldn't the authorities avoid deadly force?!? From the
tape it seems like the authorities were very concerned about the
proximity of the border but even if they would have had to let the
plane get away, that is no excuse for their trigger finger to do the
police work!

Does anyone have any more context on this incident? Anyone know how
common this is? There was a family of missionaries that was shot down
a few years back in a similar anti-drug operation. Makes me sick.

-Aviv

So what do you propose?

Copy his tail number down and terminate the chase? How would you STOP
this aircraft if the pilot doesnt want to cooperate?

Tell us the answer.

I don't know the answer to your question. Perhaps you are correct that
shooting the plane down is the only way to STOP the aircraft RIGHT NOW.
But is stopping the plane RIGHT NOW critical to anyone's safety?
Since no one was in danger during the pursuit (like there is in a car
chase on the freeway for example) I see no justification to use deadly
force.

Granted, if there is a border that can be crossed where the smuggler can
be in a safe haven, it sounds to me like a diplomatic problem that ought
to be addressed diplomatically. There are ways to provide incentives
for countries to cooperate so that you can chase the aircraft to its
destination and deal with the criminal issues there.

Law enforcement folks constantly make grave decisions to apply the
appropriate level of force for a given situation. Without immediate
threat to life from the smuggling plane, this strikes me as heavy handed
to the extreme.

-Aviv