** Missouri father, whose daughter committed suicide, fighting assault charges involving EMT
** Washington DC medic shot dead
UNITED STATES NEWS
** A Missouri father, still grieving over his daughter’s suicide earlier this year, continues to fight assault charges stemming from an altercation with an attending EMT at the scene. 630 WPRO (September 30) said Joplin resident Kevin Russell was arrested March 17th by police after he became agitated when the stretcher carrying his daughter’s body tipped over. Russell said both he and his son were then pepper sprayed, handcuffed and hauled off to jail. They were finally released after 3 1/2 hours chained to a bench. Police spokesman Lt. Matt Stewart said an investigation into the matter found no fault with the department. Prosecutors have offered a deal in exchange for a guilty plea, but Russell maintains no assault, only screaming, occurred.
** A Washington D.C. medic, who only registered as an official EMT last week, was shot dead Sunday. NBC Washington (Pat Collins/September 30) said DeVar Battle, 34, died in the southeast section of the city. According to the newspaper, Battle, who grew up in the neighborhood in which he was gunned down, returned to the area frequently to visit friends. He finished his EMT training course in August. Battle leaves behind four sons between 5 and 13-years-old.
