Pubdate: Wed, 05 Sep 2001
Source: Orange County Register (CA)
Copyright: 2001 The Orange County Register
Contact:  http://www.ocregister.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/321
Author: James Prichard
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?200 (Rainbow Campground Shooting)

CAMPGROUND STANDOFF ENDS

Police Shoot And Kill A Second Man, Capping A 5-day Ordeal

VANDALIA, Mich. -- A standoff at a campground for marijuana advocates ended 
in its fifth day Tuesday with a second man fatally shot by police after 
allegedly pointing a weapon at an officer.

Rolland Rohm, 28, had been ordered several times to put his weapon down, 
Cass County Sheriff Joseph Underwood Jr. said. Rohm lived at the 
campground, called Rainbow Farms, with 47-year-old Grover T. Crosslin, the 
campground's owner.

Crosslin was fatally shot Monday night by an FBI agent after pointing a 
rifle at the agent, Underwood said. Crosslin had been facing fel ony drug 
and weapons charges.

Officials said a third man, Brandon J. Peoples, suffered minor injuries 
when Crosslin was shot and was being questioned.

Early Tuesday, Rohm had said he would surrender at 7 a.m. if his son were 
brought to see him, Underwood said. The sheriff said police were in the 
process of granting the request when a fire was reported at the compound 
shortly after 6 a.m. and Rohm was seen leaving the residence with a long gun.

About a half-hour later, Underwood said, police ordered Rohm to drop the 
weapon, but he pointed it at the officer.

"We were actually having a dialogue with Mr. Rohm and he was in the 
process, we felt, of bringing this to a successful conclusion," Underwood said.

A bomb squad was checking the campground after the shooting. "It's our 
understanding that the campground has been booby-trapped," Underwood said.

Rainbow Farm's Web site says the campground "supports the medical, 
spiritual, and responsible recreational uses of marijuana for a more 
(147,1,0)sane and compassionate America."

The standoff began Friday when deputies went to the farm after neighbors 
said Crosslin was burning buildings on the property, which is the target of 
civil forfeiture proceedings. Crosslin reportedly warned neighbors to leave 
the area because "all hell was going to break loose."

Dori Leo, Crosslin's and Rohm's attorney, said Rohm and his 12-year-old 
son, who was recently placed in foster care, had lived with Crosslin at 
least five years. Leo said Crosslin was upset because Rohm's son, whom he 
helped raise, had been taken from the home.

Authorities alleged that Crosslin shot a news heli copter 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.

Deputies said they believe Crosslin was upset about a bond revocation 
hearing scheduled for Friday, which he did not attend. It was set because 
police said he had held a festival at the campground in violation of the 
terms of his release on bond after previous drug and weapons charges.

Crosslin was arrested in May over allegations of marijuana use at his 
34-acre campground and charged with fel ony possession of a firearm, 
growing marijuana and maintaining a drug house.

Crosslin had said he bought the property about 15 years ago to support 
marijuana advocacy.

Buzz Daily, 44, a farmer who had known Crosslin and Rohm for about five 
years and attended several festivals at the campground, said the pair were 
known for their generosity. Daily said they would drive into Vandalia at 
Christmas and distribute gifts, and would buy food and clothes for people 
at the campground.

"I am heartbroken," Daily said. "I don't think they went into this trying 
to hurt anyone."

Rohm's stepfather, John Livermore, said the family is considering a lawsuit 
against police and federal agents.

Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Risko defended the shootings, and said Rohm 
was repeatedly ordered to put down his gun.

"In each occasion, both subjects pointed firearms at officers, and I don't 
know what else you would have officers do," Risko said.
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