On March 15, Jason E. “Hoss” Hallstrom and Travis Mock, 29, were being chased by SAPD SWAT officers on I-5 when they got off at Grand Avenue and headed north, Santa Ana authorities said. The officers in question ended up shooting Hallstrom to death, and wounding Mock.
No one seems to know exactly what happened or why the SAPD SWAT team chased down and shot these individuals. However a friend of Hallstrom, Jeffrey Lowe, has contacted me with information that suggests the shooting was premeditated.
According to Lowe, it has been said that Mock has a million dollar law suit against the City of Anaheim for a O.I.S. (officer-involved shooting) that happened back in Feb. 2011. That is not a lot of money for a city awash in tourist tax revenue, however Lowe is wondering if the public is altogether aware just how the Anaheim/Santa Ana police departments are connected?
For some years through non-profit grant funding the two cities have been listed as a joint high target area through the Urban Area Security Initiative under FEMA’s Department of Homeland Security. The two departments were grouped together under the U.A.S.I. as Tier 2 eligibility for federal grant money in the amount of millions of dollars, which Santa Ana hugely relies on.
As with all grants there has to be a risk assessment to ensure that the money invested will be used soundly. An organization losing its funding for not having superior management of its personnel and if they cannot account for the proper expenditure of such considerable monies.
Think about it this way – even measly college Pell grants have certain eligibility requirements, one of them being that the applicant can’t have been convicted of possession of a controlled substance because the feds don’t want thousands of drug addicts running around with their money, hence destroying a valuable program and reducing asset return for our country.
What are the requirements and risk assessments for U.A.S.I. funding or the billions of dollars of other grant money available to police departments across our nation other than putting together a viable business plan? Why did Santa Ana lose so much grant funding? Will they be eligible again this year – once again grouped together with Anaheim in their U.A.S.I. application which is due next month?
If the U.S. and private groups are doling out upwards of 70 million to high target metro areas they want their investment to be sound and productive, not a loss and liability. The objective to handing out grants is to build a maturity in the individual, business, or entity so they eventually will stand alone financially so the generosity can be moved on to other target areas, as well as seeing a huge monetary return through future taxes and interest off of loans. One can’t justify giving money to an organization that does not look like they could succeed.
So was the Santa Ana SWAT team trying to clean up Anaheim’s mess so they could qualify for the current FY of grants or is this too far-fetched?
Lowe himself lived a colorful past but today he is thriving with what he describes as “an awesome wife and two daughters whom are showing great promise of becoming great women.” Lowe and his family moved from Orange County six years ago due to monetary problems as well as to get him away from what he feels is “a police state which has become out of control in some departments.”
Lowe has worked with law enforcement through his towing career for many years in Orange County as well as in Mohave County, AZ where he now resides. He says he has seen some spectacular police work performed. In fact he has volunteered hjis personal time to help train K-9 dogs in his community. He has been in bite suits and even helped with Police Explorer training (which both of his daughters attended).
Lowe explained that the officers in Mohave County, AZ, which is comprised of local, county, state, tribal, and federal police agencies, patrol and protect 25,000 square miles of desert, mountains, lakes, rivers and all the communities herein. These men and women patrol alone in a state that is not only a right to carry state but a right to carry concealed, yet in his tenure in Arizona, he has not heard of an officer shooting killing an unarmed man.
Lowe recalled reading about a Santa Ana police officer who, back in November, exhibited wonderfully sound judgment, great police work, and tireless effort to bring a suspect to justice while risking his and his partner’s life.
And he is curious that “there were so many options available to those officers who murdered his friend, why were they not utilized?
Lowe’s theory is that “orders were passed down from above.” He feels that the SAPD Chief of Police, Carlos Rojas, and his officers are not above the law and they can’t continue to be allowed to kill unarmed men in broad day light or at any other time.
In particular, Lowe is incensed that “a City which has lost its fire department so the City could continue to fund this vigilante Strike Force Team.”
Lowe is hoping that a Federal U.S. Attorney will open an investigation into Jason’s shooting because he is afraid that “we will only hear what the S.A.P.D. wants the general public to hear.”
As Lowe pointed out to me, our community cannot trust a police department that sends bullets flying into their houses trying to kill unarmed men. What would have happened if these officers would have killed a bystander with their array of shots?”
So what really happened? Lowe has no idea weather the car that Mock and Hallstrom were in was stolen or not. He says that Mock is scared to talk too much, but that he feels very bad for what happened to Hallstrom.
Hallstrom left behind a daughter, Raven Starr Shine, who just turned 15 on February 12th. He had not seen her since she was two years old, and they finally met last year… after 14 years. According to her mom, Summer Shine, “she’s an amazing Straight A, Honor Roll student, actress, and softball player. She will NEVER have the opportunity to build on that relationship they started…”
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Thank you Art, Jeff… let's keep at it...
Editor: You just lost all credibility. Talk about a total waste of time... Your time writing, and my time reading this garbage. NEWSFLASH: 1) DON'T DRIVE IN STOLEN CARS. 2) DON'T LEAD THE POLICE ON A PURSUIT. 3) DON'T BAIL OUT OF A CAR AT THE END OF THE PURSUIT. 4) THIS ONES FOR YOU, ART - DON'T GET SUCKED INTO FAIRY TALES!
Well the good news is that Mock tripped while fleeing so only one of the four bullets shot at him actually hit him. Perhaps he will eventually be able to shed some light on what happened.
Hopefully the cops had their car video cameras on as well.
Well said Art. I'm sure if their cameras were on, they will be edited. And its a shame that people have such negative attitudes. Until its one of theirs.
Serpico, Obviously you may be a member of the SAPD13 death squad since you are watching too many crapola flicks like Serpico and believe that you are a part of the action.
If you would be concerned citizen you would use you real name as I do.
None of the points 1-4 authorize to shoot person without a trial since no officer or no public was in any eminent danger.
Unfortunately, our society, thanks to liberal left, is getting numb to policing practices copied directly from the high action Hollywood unconstitutional scripts made for profit by Jewish filmmakers.
Serpico
Any loss of credibility would be on your part and your lack of fact collecting before you make comments. Humans by nature are doubting and cynical. Please utilize one of the many institutions available and pursue an education to obtain the critical thinking of others since you are without. Never form an opinion, especially posting it, without review of all the stories involved. You are insulting the editor for commenting on the motives of an agency that have acted without possessing their own facts and without following the steps and policies of the justice system. A system that cant validate itself or allow officers to act like criminals to rid the community of criminals. Get the facts! Please dont believe all that is said. The steps of the system exist to provide opportunity to present and disprove. Good Luck!
Like Summer said, thank you both. And although our friend is gone, he will never be forgotten. Love you Hoss......RIP my dear friend. I will never forget you... Maxx
Admin, I like your investigative work. You know that I like to dig up all of these connections too.
Follow the money, follow the grants, follow the politics.
However, I am not completely sure that creating two messes between the two cities would help them out though. What happens to that previous law suit? Isn't that still going on? You sound as conspiratorial as I usually do.
I think Mock was the main target. Hallstrom got in the way.
I agree. And like Ms. Fiala pretty much summed it up... If you do not adhere to the following, you will get shot...Maybe the problem here is that no one ever speaks up, or stands up against the police. Growing up I was taught the good guys wear white usually and the bad guys, well I won't get into that
Cynthia, since 2002 I do speak up publicly, payed price for it and have tried to get elected in 2004, 2006, 2008 as a Mayor of the Santa Ana to clean up this cesspool, but there are too many corruptible moron mongoloids in the city when they are casting their votes.
"You know that I like to dig up all of these connections too"...... Hmmmmmmm
Can you share what have you dug up so far Teo?
Stanley, if you ever run, you definitely got my vote!!! We definitely need people like you in office if we are to survive these unfortunates
Thanks!
Here I am running for California Senate sd34 against Solorio.
http://fiala4sd34.ocsatire.com/
correction to my last comment. So according to Serpico, if you do not follow points 1-4 you might get shot. And like Ms. Fiala said none of those points, are reasons to shoot someone unless your lives were being threatened.
One thing I find very disturbing is the fact that there is no accurate number in regards to officer committed homicides in the U.S., in fact the Department of Justice does annual reports but there is no law in effect that forces local departments to report Officer Involved Shootings resulting in the death of an individual. Furthermore, when a department actually does report them they list all of them as “JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDES”. This should make everyone sick beyond belief due to the simple fact that we have such a thing in U.S. called innocent until proven guilty (proven guilty in court by our peers). Police Officers are not attorneys and judges they are in the position of providing peaceful solutions to protect a community. By no means should a person in any capacity ever take the life of a person without there being an absolute just cause, and correct me if I am wrong but we quit executing horse thieves 100 years ago. There is a very rough estimate of 400 justifiable homicides each year in America 10% to 23% of those involving an individual that was unarmed, I am sorry but I am quite certain that if I took the life of an unarmed man I would be in prison for life. So what gives officers, specifically 2 very highly trained officers, the right to take the life of an unarmed man? To all the people putting out negative comments or speaking unintelligently, I challenge you to help the public learn the facts. Knowledge is everything. I would like to reiterate for the sake of people with children this particular incident happened around 3:00pm on a Friday. Now ask yourself this, what time does your child leave school? Do you ever take your trash out, wash your car, or water your lawn on a nice afternoon? Do your kids play outside? Yeah that’s what I thought. The supposed stolen vehicle was not traveling at a high rate of speed nor did it crash. But I will tell you that two officers sent at minimum of 9 bullets flying and not all of the bullets hit their intended targets in fact at least 3 bullets went in to a residence. So yes, I challenge everyone who reads this article and the comments to seek answers and repercussions for horrible judgment, these officers did not save lives they took a life and jeopardized lives.
If it did happen around 3:00 on Friday then there were definitely children around and walking home from school around that exact time. I was scheduled to be at work at 3:00 and passed the intersection of 17th and Grand. Were I always have to avoid the children crossing through that intersection at that exact time. Does that sound correct? two blocks away? the same incident?
Yes right next to the target shopping center Mateo. That is exactly where this tragedy occurred that took our friends life.
Santa Ana police sworn oath: I, do solemnly swear, that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance, to the Constitution of the State Of California; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties, of the office of Police Officer of the City of Santa Ana, acting to the best of my ability.
Jason’s U. S. Constitutional rights that were violated/revoked when Santa Ana Police took his life.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Amendment XIV
Passed by Congress June 13, 1866. Ratified July 9, 1868.
Section 1.
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Here is an email I received today with important details about this case:
Dear Editor;
Regarding your update story on Jason "Hoss" Hallstrom, April 8, 2013. Thank you for a story that will instigate more reviews and investigations into a very shady venture. I know for a fact that Travis Mock was scheduled to give a deposition at 10 am the day after this shooting occurred.
Also, I located a protective order that was granted against the Anaheim PD this past November. The reports acknowledging the police error in reporting Hallstrom was the driver speaks for itself.
Please include a very important correction in your next update. Jason Hallstrom also had two daughters that he helped raise for twelve years. Their importance to him was no different than if they were his biological children. They grieve his loss more than anyone since they are old enough to know the real facts.
Jason and I were together for twelve years and on + off for the last four years. We were in the process of reunifying when this incident occurred. He was my life, my everything. There will never be anyone like him again. I will spend the rest of my life pursuing the truth and ensuring the persons responsible are held accountable by the justice system that they were sworn to uphold.
Please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to your next update!
Respectfully,
Tiffany Nunley
Tiffany, it does sound as though the Police over stepped their responsibilities and possibly even worse but help us understand what their excuse for shooting Jason was.or supposedly is?
Was he driving or riding in a stolen car? How did the police know it was a stolen car? Why was his friend Mock in a stolen car the day before his scheduled deposition? How would you refute the police claims? I am not trying to claim anything was justified or not here.
Good questions but should one be executed for driving a stolen car?
I will answer that for you.
California Penal Code Section 835a allows any police officer who has reasonable cause to believe that a person to be armed has committed a felony [public offense] to use reasonable force to effect the arrest, to prevent escape, or to overcome resistance. The section further provides that a police officer “who makes or attempts to make an arrest need not retreat or desist further from his efforts by reason of the resistance or threatened resistance of the person being arrested, nor shall such officer be deemed an aggressor or lose his right to self-defense by the use of reasonable force to effect the arrest or to prevent escape or to overcome resistance.” As with Penal Code Section 196, Section 835a only allows use of deadly force by the officer when the suspect’s felony involves violence or the threat of violence. Kortum v. Alkire (1977) 69 Cal. App. 3d 325, 333. The court in Kortum further held that deadly force against a fleeing felony suspect is justifiable only when the felony “is of the violent variety, i.e., a forcible and atrocious one which threatens death or serious bodily harm, or there are other circumstances which reasonably create a fear of death or serious bodily harm to the officer or to another.” Kortum v. Alkire, supra, 69 Cal. 3d at 333.
In addition, Penal Code section 834a requires that if a person has knowledge, or by the exercise of reasonable care, should knowledge, that he is being arrested by a peace officer, that person must refrain from using force or any weapon to resist such arrest.
With this being pointed out Jason's alleged felony was not of a violent nature and the other alleged charge of resisting a peace officer was listed as a misdemeanor, Jason had no weapon nor did Mock. Broad daylight in complete view of the officers a few feet away these officers committed murder under the color of law.
Jason was the passenger in a car that had the keys in the ignition. Not sure if you are familiar with the area but the "freeway chase" consisted of getting on the 5N at the Fourth Street entrance and exiting at Grand Avenue. What's that, maybe 2 football fields? Not much of a "freeway chase" in my opinion. After reading the comments made by a couple of people in the Target parking lot, you really have to ask yourself, "what the hell really happened that day?" How is it possible for someone to be driving south on Grand Avenue, see the yellow police tape, pull over in the Target parking lot, get out of his car, start talking to other on-lookers and AFTER all that, he heard gunshots! Why was the yellow tape up before it was a crime scene? Where is the unmarked car that was trying to pull them over? In every picture I only see black and white police cars...what about you? If the police feared for their lives, wouldn't you think they would have stopped their cars further back and hid behind their car doors? You know, like the freeway chases you see so often on the local news channels. It looks to me like the front bumper of the black and white police car is less than 4 maybe 5 feet away from the back bumper of the Nissan. Seems more aggressive than scared. If you have something more you would like to discuss with me or questions you would like to ask me, feel free to contact me at arenkbirt2769@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Karen Birtcher