LEO Round Table with Chip DeBlock

S11E049, Police Chase Ends In Crash And Wild Shootout With Violent Murder Suspect!

Suspects who attempted to plant IED near NYC Mayor's residence charged for terrorism. Trump's executive privilege decision means Biden documents could release. Minneapolis doubles amount of time for eviction notices. Police chase ends in crash and wild shootout with violent murder suspect.

LEO Round Table: Counter-Terrorism, Executive Privilege, and the Realities of Modern Policing

LEO Round Table: Tactical and Political Briefing

Expert Law Enforcement Analysis on National Security, Policy, and Field Operations

March 12, 2026

Critical Incident: NYC Terror Plot

ISIS-Inspired IEDs at Gracie Mansion

Devices: Functional TATP ("Mother of Satan") bombs in sports bottles with shrapnel (nuts/bolts).

Suspects: 18 and 19-year-olds with travel history to Turkey/Saudi Arabia; facing Federal charges.

Expert View: Rich Sciarropoli warns of "top cover" by local politicians; case must stay Federal for real prosecution.

"These devices don't kill by concussion; they kill by fragmentation... dozens of puncture wounds from glass and bolts."

— Dr. Joel Schultz, Retired Police Chief

Executive Privilege Clash

Trump rejects Biden’s privilege claims, directing NARA to release documents to four congressional probes regarding Biden's health and family finances.

Field Report: Missouri Shootout

Scenario: High-speed chase of murder suspect Ryan Phillips ends in a rollover.
Action: Suspect emerged from the wreck firing; Troopers Gaedtke and Hedrick returned fire, neutralizing the threat.
Takeaway: Exceptional tactical discipline; mag change under fire and effective use of cover.

Policy Alert: Minneapolis

CONTROVERSIAL

City Council doubles eviction notice time (30 to 60 days). Panel labels it "Political Theater" that hurts the housing market and pushes families deeper into debt.

#CounterTerrorism #TacticalAnalysis #LegalPrecedent #OfficerSafety

Host: Chip DeBlock | Guests: Schultz, Sciarropoli

⏱ 45 min discussionLEOROUNDTABLE.COM

This episode of the LEO Round Table features law enforcement experts discussing a high-stakes ISIS-inspired terror plot in New York City, the legal battle over executive privilege between the Trump and Biden administrations, and the tactical challenges of a fatal Missouri shootout. The panel provides a specialized perspective on how political decisions and legislative changes directly impact public safety and officer welfare.

Detailed Point Summary

1. ISIS-Inspired Terror Plot in New York City

The panel discussed the federal charging of two suspects, aged 18 and 19, following the discovery of functional improvised explosive devices (IEDs) near Gracie Mansion in New York City. The investigation, now handled by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, revealed that the suspects had traveled to known terrorist training grounds in Turkey and Saudi Arabia and made pro-ISIS statements while in custody. The devices were sophisticated, consisting of sports drink bottles filled with TATP (an explosive known as the "Mother of Satan"), M80 fuses, and nuts and bolts designed for maximum fragmentation damage.

Threat Profile: NYC IED Incident

⚠️ Explosive Material: TATP (Peroxide-based, highly volatile)

🛠️ Design: Fragmentation-focused (Nuts, bolts, glass jars)

🌍 Background: Suspects visited Turkey/Saudi Arabia (2024-2025)

⚖️ Jurisdiction: Escalated to Federal Court for terrorism charges

The experts expressed concern over the local political response, noting the absence of the Mayor at the press conference and criticizing policies that have disbanded tactical response units. They emphasized that the manual ignition of the devices was a point of failure that likely prevented a mass-casualty event, as homemade IEDs often have high failure rates.

2. Executive Privilege and Presidential Oversight

The discussion turned to President Trump’s decision to reject former President Biden’s claims of executive privilege regarding documents requested by Senate probes. These probes focus on Biden’s health, his family’s financial dealings, and alleged politically motivated investigations. While the panel acknowledged that this move might expose significant information, they remained skeptical about whether it would lead to actual legal repercussions or simply serve as "political theater" ahead of the midterms.

3. Minneapolis Eviction Ordinance and Economic Impact

The Minneapolis City Council’s vote to double the pre-eviction notice period from 30 to 60 days was met with sharp criticism from the panel. Supporters claim the "Pause Evictions Save Lives Ordinance" helps those facing financial hardship, but the law enforcement experts argued it unfairly burdens property owners and could lead to a housing market disruption. The panel noted that such interference in the free market often forces landlords to raise rents or exit the market entirely, ultimately hurting housing affordability.

Minneapolis Policy Shift

PREVIOUS

30 Days

➔

NEW ORDINANCE

60 Days

Expert Consensus: Likely to increase rental costs and debt accumulation for tenants.

4. Missouri Pursuit and Fatal Shootout

A tactical breakdown was provided for a September 2024 incident where a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper was involved in a fatal shootout following a high-speed chase. The suspect, Ryan Phillips, was wanted for the murder of his former girlfriend in Texas. After his vehicle rolled over, Phillips emerged and opened fire on troopers, who returned fire and killed him. The panel praised the troopers' marksmanship and use of cover, noting the extreme danger of walking up to a crash site where a suspect may "pop up like a Whac-A-Mole" to engage officers.

Key Data

IED Composition: Sports drink bottles, glass jars, TATP powder, M80 fuses, and shrapnel (nuts/bolts).

Eviction Timeline: Pre-eviction notice requirements in Minneapolis extended from 30 days to 60 days.

Pursuit Outcome: Suspect killed; zero injuries to law enforcement officers during the Missouri shootout.

Next Steps / Ongoing Developments

Federal authorities will continue the terror investigation into the suspects' travel history and potential training in Turkey.

The National Archives (NARA) is directed to provide requested materials regarding the Biden administration to Congress following the rejection of executive privilege.

Travis Allen Mitchell remains in custody, facing charges for assisting Ryan Phillips in the murder and tampering with the victim's body.

Conclusion

The episode highlights a growing friction between law enforcement expertise and local political administration. Whether discussing the technical volatility of TATP explosives or the tactical unpredictability of a roadside shootout, the panel reiterates that public safety relies on rigorous training and realistic policy-making rather than political optics.>