cannabisnews.com: Campground Owner Shot Dead by FBI Campground Owner Shot Dead by FBI Posted by FoM on September 03, 2001 at 20:47:46 PT By The Associated Press Source: Associated Press A campground owner facing drug and weapons charges was fatally shot by an FBI agent Monday night after a four-day standoff, authorities said. Grover T. Crosslin, 47, was shot and killed after he walked out of a building with a rifle and pointed it at the agent, Cass County Sheriff Joseph Underwood Jr. said in a news release Monday night. The FBI did not immediately return calls for comment. Crosslin became agitated after authorities brought a phone to him in an attempt to begin negotiations, Underwood said. Crosslin asked to speak with a third party, and when authorities denied the request, he began making threatening remarks and gestures, the sheriff said. Crosslin left the building with another man and began walking around outside the building with his weapon. Crosslin ``approached an area where an FBI observer had been stationed, and upon seeing the FBI observer, Crosslin immediately raised the weapon to shoulder height and pointed it directly at the agent,'' Underwood said. The FBI agent shot Crosslin once, the sheriff said. A judge had signed a warrant Monday charging Crosslin with attempted destruction of an aircraft and using a firearm in a felony, Clenney said. Authorities alleged Crosslin, who owns the southwest Michigan campground called Rainbow Farm, shot a news helicopter from WNDU-TV in nearby South Bend, Ind., as it flew overhead Friday. Shots also were fired at an unmarked state police plane Saturday but missed, police said. Both aircraft landed safely without injuries. The situation began Friday when deputies went to the farm after neighbors said Crosslin was burning buildings on his property, which is the target of civil forfeiture proceedings. It appears a house and four main buildings on the campground property have been burned since then, Underwood said. Deputies said they believe Crosslin was upset about a bond revocation hearing scheduled for Friday. It was set because police believed he was violating the terms of his release on bond on previous drug and weapon charges. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest when he didn't show up at the hearing. Authorities arrested Crosslin and five others in May after a two-year investigation into allegations of marijuana use at the 34-acre campground, Underwood said. Crosslin was charged with felony possession of a firearm, growing marijuana and maintaining a drug house. A court order issued in June prohibited Crosslin from having festival gatherings at the farm, whose Web site says it ``supports the medical, spiritual and responsible recreational uses of marijuana for a more sane and compassionate America.'' Police allege he violated the order by holding a festival August 17-18, which prompted the bond hearing. About a mile away from the campground, about a half-dozen people displayed placards in support of Crosslin and Rainbow Farm. Crosslin's attorney, Dori Leo, said her client was upset because a child he helped raise has been taken from the home he shares with a friend. The boy was placed in foster care about a month or two ago after Crosslin and the friend, Rolland Rohm, were charged with the drug counts, Leo told the South Bend (Ind.) Tribune. On the Net: http://www.rainbowfarmcampground.com/Source: Associated PressPublished: September 3, 2001Copyright: 2001 Associated PressRelated Articles & Web Site:Rainbow Farm Campgroundhttp://www.rainbowfarmcamp.com/FBI Steps in To Help Relieve Officers in Michigan http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10804.shtmlSilence Frustrates Police http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10801.shtmlPolice Open Negotiations in Campground Standoffhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10793.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #14 posted by Rock-N-Roller on September 04, 2001 at 22:41:19 PT Get up, Stand up, Stand up for your right. In order to bring more media attention to this tragedy we need to make a lot of noise. We need the likes of Gary Johnson, and Normal to attend the funerals and deliver the eulogies. We need to have thousands of people attend the services, so many people it overcomes the place, just like the police and firemen do. If this could happen the media cannot completley ignore this. If we get more media attention it can possibly help to educate the ones who need it. E-Mail Gary Johnson's office, and Normal, lets try to get them there. I will make several posts of this comment. Do not be angry or surprised if you see this again. I will post it in other places. Get up, Stand up, Stand up for your right. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Cannabis Dave on September 04, 2001 at 10:03:42 PT Don't they make videos of EVERYTHING?! The FBI "observer" (sniper) who shot him surely had a video link, and I'm sure they have a recording of the whole tragic event. They won't show us the video since it was an execution, but we KNOW they have one. They always use a recorded video link in these situations, so why can't we see it? If it showed they acted responsibly they would show us, but since they executed him so we'll never get to see it. We should DEMAND to see it, and it should be our right to see it, but this isn't a democracy anymore - it's become a facist state. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Doug on September 04, 2001 at 09:41:30 PT An American Tragedy I have followed this story over the Labor Day weekend with ever increasing depression. It was like seeing a Shakespearean tragedy -- the ending was preordained. Whenever there is a standoff with the police, it will only end if one side gives up or somebody gets killed. And either way it won't be the cops. They're heavily armed and itching for an excuse to use their weapons, after all this is the kind of event they have been training for.So this outcome, while very sad, is not unexpected. Cops kill, and there's realllly nothing that you can do about it. If there was a lot of negative publicity, this might cause more restraint next time, but with the media reporting only the cop perspective, this usually won't happen. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Charlie on September 04, 2001 at 05:32:25 PT FBI vs ATF Guess they are taking turns killing freedom loving Americans. This is sickening. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Lou Vee on September 04, 2001 at 03:07:20 PT Anger over Tom's needless murder can fuel PRA I believe that absolutely everything, no matter how bad, also contains some element which is good.I feel very angry and very sad over Tom's needless murder. I'm sure that many others, who got to know him much better than I did, feel more angry and upset.Anger can be used as an excellent fuel. I can think of no more fitting memorial to Tom than to see PRA on the ballot.So, if you are feeling outraged, pick up a couple of clipboards (and perhaps a sign and/or some leis) and go getsome signatures for Tom.Between now and October 3rd I plan to spend every spare moment petitioning - I trust many others will do the same. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Rock-N-Roller on September 03, 2001 at 23:20:20 PT Another Patriot Another patriot, like the Minute Men, like the people involved with the Boston Tea Party, like Paul Revere. Yes these are just a few men that put lives on the line so we can have freedom. Freedom also for people that with the thinking of our lost souled brother, Winston. We should feel bad for people with the "Winston mindset" and try to educate them. Although this is a very tall order, I have tried it, and on occasion suceeded. It is very hard to do, and I will not give up. dddd is good at what he does, we can only hope that his words are heard well beyond this board where they need to be heard, all the way to congress. We have the numbers, they have the guns. History shows that the pen can be mightier than the sword, when applied properly. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by MDG on September 03, 2001 at 23:00:26 PT I predict another bombing. I had said recently that one can't really blame Tim McVeigh for his outrage. This is proving to be more true as time goes by. Mark this day on your calendars, folks. Someone is going to commemorate this tragic day with more lives, and the FBI should expect it; but there is nothing they can do to stop it. I am f*cking sickened by this government. (Don't take this as "a plot").Just remember, "Nothing else in the world...not all the armies...is so powerful as an idea whose time has come." For the love of God, PLEASE vote Libertarian! [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on September 03, 2001 at 21:40:12 PT I'm just blowing off steam We shoot tranquilzer darts at animals. When a man has been robbed of his dignity he then has nothing to lose. Life is over when you take the children, the farm and his life as a free spirit. When you push a human being into a corner what do they think will happen? They didn't have to kill him. He had reached the end and that's when he needed help.They have announced that he was killed on CNN. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by lookinside on September 03, 2001 at 21:31:55 PT: well, this cuts it for me... timothy mcveigh is a hero of epic proportions...his onlymistake was not having enough bombs to blow up ALL thefederal buildings...the FBI should be disbanded and ANY agent who has evercarried a gun should be executed...and then tried...seemsfair under the current circumstances... [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Rainbow on September 03, 2001 at 21:31:00 PT FBI = death First Wounded Knee, then Ruby Ridge then Waco and now Rainbow Valley.Such a peaceful name. The FBI were probably told to go in and force a confrontation because they are so good at it.They are killers. I suggest that we not forget the Human Rights abuses of the FBI when the War Crimes Court starts.The USA is not a good country to be in right now. There is no pride in my heart for my governm,ent.Good nightRainbow [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Patrick on September 03, 2001 at 21:19:25 PT I hear ya FoM I must take a moment to say that this frickin war must end before any more lives are needlessly wasted in this manner. Regardless of the details, it came down to 2 men both armed with intent and purpose and a gun. One of them was at home and the other working on a holiday for the government. I only hope that the one that lived is very proud that on Labor Day he did his job so effectively. Now the forfeiture of Rainbow Ranch will be a smooth transition to some "winston" like character. Justice my ss. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by SWAMPIE on September 03, 2001 at 21:04:58 PT MURDER AT RAINBOW FARMS Now we have another reason to continue the war on the war on drugs,as if we really needed it.My sympathies and prayers to all who knew him,he was a valiant crusader and a good guy.The idiots that did this will hang when the time is right.Granted,he shouldn't have had a gun,but he could have been shot in the knee or something to stop him from doing any damage.All the LEO'S know to do is to incapacitate/murder anyone who gets in their way,and then you haven't got a chance.after all,dead people can't testify or sue you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on September 03, 2001 at 21:03:26 PT mr.greengenes We have two articles up now and CNN reported that they still are negotiating but said nothing about him being killed. I get very mad sometimes and I'm very mad right now. Damn this country's way of doing things. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by mr.greengenes on September 03, 2001 at 20:59:20 PT Rolland Rohm The news just said that the other, Peles I think his name is, is now in custody. Rolland Rohm is still in the house. Supposedly their trying to talk him out. Gives them more time to move into position for a clean shot. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment