Bomb scare at home of BART officer's family

9:15 p.m.Residents of a southeast Napa neighborhood were evacuated from their homes Wednesday evening after the parents of former BART police officer Johannes Mehserle found two unidentified packages on their front porch.

Mehserle, 27, was arrested in Nevada on Tuesday on a murder warrant. He was charged on Wednesday in the shooting of Oscar Grant, 22, on New Year’s Day.

The shooting has ignited racial tensions and public demonstrations in Oakland, with outraged citizens calling for Mehserle’s punishment. Grant, who is black, was one of several riders ordered off a BART train car at the Fruitvale station in Oakland following a brawl on the train car.

Police had Grant lying on the ground face down when Mehserle, who is white, allegedly pulled his service weapon and shot Grant in the back. Grant was unarmed.

Since the shooting, Mehserle and his family have received death threats.

Napa County Sheriff’s Capt. John Robertson said the family found the packages on their front porch. One was a medium-sized package and the other was smaller, he said.

“This raises our level of concern” for the safety of the family, Robertson said.

By 6:30 p.m., officers with the Napa County bomb squad had suited up and were X-raying the packages, Robertson said.

“We will look at them, and if the contents look unsafe or we can’t tell what exactly is inside the package we will (destroy) them,” Robertson said.

Shortly after 8 p.m., Robertson said, officers had scrutinized the packages and could not determine their contents. The packages were destroyed around 9 p.m., and the 50 or so residents who had been turned away from the neighborhood earlier in the evening were allowed to go home.

53 comment(s)

VERUM wrote on Jan 14, 2009 6:46 PM:

" This is so bogus. He is in custody, the family is in Nevada, the streets of Oakland are live on TV. Bogus. "

wiseone wrote on Jan 14, 2009 6:52 PM:

" How sad that people resort to mob mentality and terrorists threats in situations like this.

I sure hope the FBI is called in to investigate these bomb threats.

Every citizen charged with a crime is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty and allowed to dur process of law.

Unfortunately for Mr. Mehserle' and his family, he's alread been charged, tried and convicted in the court of public opinion. "

napadad wrote on Jan 14, 2009 7:09 PM:

" I see a defense for leaving the state forming "

c'mon reg get it right wrote on Jan 14, 2009 7:33 PM:

" Where, Where, Where?
Why is it the register can't report this?
Very frustrating. "

reason-ator wrote on Jan 14, 2009 9:09 PM:

" Yes. Please publish the exact address so that the Bomb Squad has to set up a sub-station there.

Actually, there's a lot that all of the media haven't reported. And even though I'm cynical, even I'm surprized that some important facts seem to be omitted or not reported. Not just by the Register, but also by major media. "

mytwocents wrote on Jan 14, 2009 9:11 PM:

" I live in so east napa but was not evacuated. I sure would like to know how close. "

amelia wrote on Jan 14, 2009 9:24 PM:

" seriously, this has gotten out of hand. While I can't feel what the deceased family feels, I believe that what I saw was not a intentional murder. Others may and will see it differently. but to threaten the family? That is ridiculous. If anything, the lawsuit will be substational enough. Threatening others only shows true colors and ignorance. "

Loveone wrote on Jan 14, 2009 9:28 PM:

" I live in southeast Napa. From searching on the web, I believe that I live very close to this family. As I was reading this article, we heard an explosion. I assume that was the police destroying the contents. It is of interest to me where the sound actually came from. And, it is very un-nerving to me, with the violence surrounding this case, to be nearby. I hope that this family remains safe. More violence will not fix anything.

I pray for peace in the communities involved, for the officer, for all of the families involved and for answers...and, that the truth would come to light. "

alixzander wrote on Jan 14, 2009 11:26 PM:

" I am not going to comment on the bomb threat itself. I find it uninteresting and it misses the point of what is really going on here.

I find it exceedingly irritating that the media isn’t capable of having an open discussion about who these protesters are and what they are protesting against. They are fighting against an institution (specifically the Oakland police) that has continuously been committing acts of violence and injustice against the residents of Oakland. The problem is systemic. And it’s tied to an even greater cycle of exploitation that is seen through out history and within many societies. Why isn’t this aspect of the dialogue and dissent being discussed on the mainstream media?

For me this all boils down to one question: if an institution is killing you and having a dire affect on your life when is it justified to lash against it? Where is the threshold that would deem such actions appropriate? "

napaoldguy wrote on Jan 14, 2009 11:39 PM:

" Once again the media only shows the part of the video that shows you, what they, want you to see, not the whole story. No one deserves to die like that but no one should have to put up with a bunch of punks fighting on a train or fighting with police either. The guy that was shot was not cooperating or he would not be on the ground. "

cellsitegod wrote on Jan 15, 2009 4:28 AM:

" alixzander-
Is the "institution" your referring to the police? By using the word institution, it sounds like your referring to all police departments?
BART police is a completely separate entity from the Oakland PD.
" A mobs stupidity as whole, drops to the person in the mob with the most"
ie: the first person that commits the first act of violence. "

Bauhausfan wrote on Jan 15, 2009 5:58 AM:

" When I was 18 me and my friend were riding a bus in the county I grew up on and had a bomb threat. Two businesses I worked at have had bomb threats as well. You would be surprised how much this kind of thing happens.

The real issue is stuff like this from napaoldguy "No one deserves to die like that but no one should have to put up with a bunch of punks fighting on a train or fighting with police either. The guy that was shot was not cooperating or he would not be on the ground. "

So if his son or grandson was shot like that he would obviously have no problem because it is basically justified. Why? Because according to him, it is justified because the guy was a "punk". "

Dwayne wrote on Jan 15, 2009 6:57 AM:

" napaoldguy wrote on Jan 14, 2009 11:39 PM:
" Once again the media only shows the part of the video that shows you, what they, want you to see, not the whole story. No one deserves to die like that but no one should have to put up with a bunch of punks fighting on a train or fighting with police either. The guy that was shot was not cooperating or he would not be on the ground. "

So the kid deserved to be shot by a cop performing street justice...??? That's what punks deserve, right...??? "

this_is_alfred wrote on Jan 15, 2009 7:09 AM:

" It's NOT the parents fault! Sometimes good parents raise monsters.

I think it's cowardly to target this man's family.He is in custody and HE and only HE should pay for his crime. "

AThought wrote on Jan 15, 2009 7:17 AM:

" Why can't this family be left alone? They are going through enough as it is already. "

JustAnotherManicMonday wrote on Jan 15, 2009 7:26 AM:

" Bomb threats and packages are going too far. "

proudmama2 wrote on Jan 15, 2009 7:29 AM:

" Exactly, napaoldguy!!! What was the individual doing prior to his getting shot?
Did all the people who were on the platform of the BART station get interviewed? What were their stories? "

AnObserver wrote on Jan 15, 2009 7:46 AM:

" NapaOldGuy - Oscar Grant was NOT resisting in any form. He way lying face down with his arms behind is back! He was shot in cold blood.
Whether Mehserle meant to grab his taser instead of his service revolver is still in question and his motive remains unclear.
Those questions can only be answered once this case goes to trial. "

harald wrote on Jan 15, 2009 7:49 AM:

" You know I wish that people would get this fired up everytime a drug dealer or gang member kills someone. I don't understand how people can virtually ignore one set on ongoing murders and then go crazy when different circumstances are applied to the same crime. Not saying that the cop was right; it was very unjustified and criminal what he did. The reaction of these indviduals with midirected anger is really strange. "

nanner wrote on Jan 15, 2009 7:51 AM:

" think about why would the NVR give out the family's address so these poor people could be bothered by more nut job's. If you were any where close to this threat I'm sure you would know when the police came to evacuate your neighborhood. "

deathgrip wrote on Jan 15, 2009 7:52 AM:

" The media has turned this thing upside down. Because of the media this family will live in fear. "

localmama wrote on Jan 15, 2009 8:47 AM:

" It wasn't a bomb threat, they were packages.....who really knows. Could have been late christmas gifts? "

napanative wrote on Jan 15, 2009 8:54 AM:

" Enough is enough. People who choose to threaten the lives of others need to realize that there are other innocent people in the area who might be injured. This is not your fight to fight. Have your opinions, write your letters, and teach your children...but do not add to the hate! It only makes you look like a criminal! "

npma wrote on Jan 15, 2009 9:08 AM:

" Whom ever is doing this to his family obviously thinks mehserle is a monster "not my thoughts" And they are acting out against his family,The thing is people are angry that an innocent man was killed,If whom ever is doing this succeeds in harming his family the same kind of person they think they are trying to even a score with?After all his family didn't force him to take the actions he did. "

texan wrote on Jan 15, 2009 9:23 AM:

" "Grant, who is black, " "Mehserle, who is white,"

WHO F'N CARES!!! Watch the video.......it was obviously ACCIDENTAL. Not everything is about race!! If it had been the other way around (black officer, white victim) this would not be causing NEAR as much controversy!!! There would not be riots in the streets and death threats!! It is all just so ridiculous!!!

I pray for BOTH sides of this. There is no winner here. Two families have had their worlds turned upside down!! I pray they can get past this all and move on with life as it will be from now on! "

fedupinnapa wrote on Jan 15, 2009 9:30 AM:

" "alixzander" breaking the windows at Radio Shack, smashing car windows in your neighborhood and sending bomb threats really is one step closer to taking down the institution. Sounds like a recipe for creating more of a police state and putting the lives of more citizens at risk.

The anger that has ensued from this incident could have been used to make real change but as usual people have wasted that opportunity and instead lashed out in a foolish manner swinging more public opinion away from the larger issue of abuse of authority. "

fedupinnapa wrote on Jan 15, 2009 9:35 AM:

" "Come On Reg" Sorry but the idea that the register should print the address of this officers family is just crazy. Not only should this family be left alone (they did not shoot anybody. The register would open the door to all sorts of legal action for putting this family at risk. If one of your family members was involved in an incident such as this and your house was vandalized or threatened in some way would you want your address or even neighborhood posted in the register? "

y2kcbr wrote on Jan 15, 2009 10:07 AM:

" This obviously will not stop being blogged about. Too many people have feelings on both sides of this. Race related, not-race related. Cold Blooded killing, he mistook his gun for his tazer.

Apples and Oranges folks. Leave the family alone, stop protesting (he is in custody, your earlier protesting scared the DA and City into arresting this young man).

Let him have his day in court, if the DA can't convict this, well...just stay out of Oakland for the next year or so. "

whatsgoingon wrote on Jan 15, 2009 10:11 AM:

" blah, blah blah, blah blah.................... I think this whole ordeal is horrible. Can people stop theorizing about what could have happened. We do not know any other mitigating circumstances, other than what the media wants us to know. Let's just wait until the trial and let the scales of justice do their job. By the way, no jury in this state will find 'not guilty', simply because all media has twisted these videos to be the most advantageous for ratings. Call me crazy, but aren't criminals innocent until proven guilty? "

VERUM wrote on Jan 15, 2009 10:13 AM:

" This was nothing but a publicity stunt to vitimize the accused officer. Again, bogus. But it does give the NVR a story for the font page. "

anticommie wrote on Jan 15, 2009 10:16 AM:

" alixzander:

nice way to justify riots in Oakland. The black community in Oakland loves to continually use the argument of white cops randomly killing black people, and yelling: racism, racism, racism. Where is the outcry of black on black killings? Imagine if the cop had been black, do you think that there would still be riots, protests, and bomb threats? Most likely not. It is quite apparant to me after watching the video, the shooting was an accident, not murder. The only reason this cop will be tried for murder or manslaughter is because of political pressure alone. Unfair for the cop, he's not a superhuman, he's just a man who messed up.

and as far as not being interested in the bomb threat, what if it was a bomb and killed some of the family members, or even the cop, how would you justify that? "

anticommie wrote on Jan 15, 2009 10:23 AM:

" AnObserver wrote on Jan 15, 2009 7:46 AM:

" NapaOldGuy - Oscar Grant was NOT resisting in any form. He way lying face down with his arms behind is back! He was shot in cold blood."

Did you watch the same video that I did? Looks like an accident to me. "

JustAnotherManicMonday wrote on Jan 15, 2009 10:55 AM:

" This puts at risk the family, but also the neighbors, and Napa police officers (NOT involved AT ALL in the BART shooting). What if the bomb went off, and someone actually got hurt? This incident is now involving Napans. What if this was next door to me, during the day? What if my kids were home after school and got hurt by this bomb? Not acceptable. "

NVR-Dan Ross wrote on Jan 15, 2009 11:23 AM:

" To everyone:
We are not publishing the location due to concerns for this specific type of activity taking place. Revealing the specific location does nothing to enhance the article, but it does provide others with the opportunity to attempt another action similar to the one that took place last night.
Similarly, we will not post comments containing information about the location. "

mercman707 wrote on Jan 15, 2009 11:40 AM:

" MEDIA.......the new judicial system. "

napaao wrote on Jan 15, 2009 11:47 AM:

" omg now this is going too far! "

Ferrarigtc wrote on Jan 15, 2009 12:07 PM:

" Show your support for johannes at freejohannes. Come leave comments and stories. "

Yvonne wrote on Jan 15, 2009 12:12 PM:

" I do not understand what people expect to gain from destroying the property of others who are not involved. Can anyone explain to me the reasons for doing that?
I also don't understand threats against the ex-officers family. What a bunch of crazy people out there! How could those family members in any way be responsible for his actions.
In my opinion those who riot just to riot, to break windows and set fire to cars should be taken to jail and made to repay those losses. They are not helping the family who lost their son, or the child who lost a father. They are terrorizing an innocent community. "

commenter wrote on Jan 15, 2009 12:13 PM:

" The thing that gets me is those who want to prevent violence are aiding more of the same. Did they not realize what started out to be a peaceful protest would turn ugly? I bet many of the protesters would do anything to get out of jury duty, yet complain about the process to no end.

There are some whack jobs who think the Napa address "is" the address of the accused, and did not consider it is his dad's address. Those same idiots suggest people do untoward things if they happen upon the address.

NVR - whether or not you post the address, I could care less. Way too late for you to reasonably think it matters... or helps either way. "

traceeg wrote on Jan 15, 2009 12:28 PM:

" Has anyone stopped to think a minute why Mehserle would have gone through the academy and worked for Bart two years to intentionally kill someone?
It will come out that it was an accident.
It will probably be reduced to manslaughter and he will be out in 5-7 years. Sad for his family, since I heard his wife their first child within a couple of days of the shooting. Sad for the victim's family... God give them all strength to get through this. "

Froggie1559 wrote on Jan 15, 2009 12:29 PM:

" Why is this about race? It just so happens that the victim was black and the cop was white, so what! They could have been purple and green, what does it matter? Meserle doesn't need to be charged with a hate crime too! "

notshocked wrote on Jan 15, 2009 12:44 PM:

" If you are concerned about the proximity of danger (bomb threats), call the police and ask them if your property is close (you specific the distance.... 100 yds, 200 yds, a mile, whatever). Going to the newspaper after the fact and then criticizing the paper is absurd.

NVR: I am so disappointed that this forum is up matters like this. The amount of constructive converation is miniscule and the level of devisiveness and hate is very high. "

Dv8tion388 wrote on Jan 15, 2009 12:48 PM:

" No reason for NVR to publish this in the first place. Must feel really good knowing you wrote a piece that could potentially cause more pain & suffering...

If Napa residents want to know what’s going on, they'll figure it out. Gossip is King around here and everywhere else.

I know the now ex-Officer. I also know he intentionally did his job, which didn’t include killing an individual. Many different video footages show the victim resisting arrest. It also shows what was clearly an accidental shooting. Punishments can come in many different forms for both sides, and they will. "

VERUM wrote on Jan 15, 2009 1:18 PM:

" NVR-Dan Ross: who are you kidding. Word is all over town. But again, this is nothing but a hoax. And again, where is police protection? "

Sickothis wrote on Jan 15, 2009 1:46 PM:

" They ever figure out what was in the boxes? "

Hear Ye wrote on Jan 15, 2009 1:53 PM:

" Dv8tion388-

No matter what video footage you watch the only thing it CLEARLY shows is a young man laying face down with his arms behind his back get shot in the back by a police officer. Both the video and the investigation show that. Was it an accident? Maybe. Was it Murder? Maybe. That's what the trial is for. "

localmama wrote on Jan 15, 2009 4:52 PM:

" This is an example of what the media portrays.....They said they could not determine what was in the boxes. Bomb squads have a trained eye for this sort of thing and if it truely was a bomb I think they would have figured it out.

It's all speculations, listen to all of you going nuts over this. They could have been Christmas gifts, condolence gifts or perhaps just a hoax. Relax until the facts are substaniated. "

kdbk wrote on Jan 15, 2009 6:30 PM:

" How many of you have been on the BART trains in Oakland? This guy and others like him are there to protect you and all the other innocent people from the unruly savages who plague such public transit systems nation wide.

He would probably die in his efforts to protect others, be they black, white or any other race.

He messed up extremely bad. He should do a little time to make things right with the world. All of us should use a real-world approach to this matter. Whatever supposed racist elements may exist in the Oakland PD, what happened with this incident is not related. It was a horrible accident. "

knowbetter wrote on Jan 15, 2009 6:32 PM:

" Targeting a persons family in any circumstance is COWARDLY in any instance PERIOD!!! "

109823 wrote on Jan 15, 2009 8:12 PM:

" The individuals that are rioting are a good example of the punks that ride the mass transit systems creating havoc for innocent passengers. I wish they would call in the National Guard the next time they decide to riot. Even Grants' mother pleaded with the rioters to stop destroying property and that seemed to have no effect on their actions. "

cellsitegod wrote on Jan 16, 2009 5:23 AM:

" Cmon people!
This was a very unfortunate accident.
Mehserle didn't intend to shoot this guy.
What happened probably doesn't even fall under involuntary manslaughter. There had to be some intent to kill or gross disregard.
BART police have a tough job dealing with all the low life punks and drug dealers riding BART.
In no way am I condoning Grants death but, There was a reason he was in that situation before he was shot and he created it.
If it were a black BART cop that shot him I know for a fact these people wouldn't be rioting and protesting.
Anticommie is right. These people just look for a reason to scream racism.
Well, I got news for them; We have a president that was able to get to the highest office in the land amid this so called "racism" .
It's time for these people to step up and take control of their own destiny instead of blaming others for their situation. "

TrickleDown wrote on Jan 16, 2009 11:38 AM:

" A simple detail here. I understand the use of 'allegedly' when it is unclear if a crime was committed or if it is unclear if something occurred, but the following sentence from the above article is ridiculous:

Police had Grant lying on the ground face down when Mehserle, who is white, allegedly pulled his service weapon and shot Grant in the back.

At least three separate video recordings of this incident show Mehsele drawing his weapon and firing into the back of Grant. There is no "alleged" about it. "

vago69 wrote on Jan 16, 2009 3:43 PM:

" Maybe the NVR should take some advice from other papers around the country in situations like this one and prohibit posts on any article where the comments could influence the outcome of a criminal proceeding.

Here is the policy of one newspaper;

Publishing opinions about the guilt, innocence or character of the accused in open criminal cases can affect that person's constitutional right to a fair trial. For that reason, JournalStar.com has chosen not to accept user comments on this story. "

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