Hacker Group Anonymous Targets UC Davis Pepper-Spray Cop

By Dylan Stableford, The Cutline/Y!News Blog

24 November 11

he rogue hacker group known as Anonymous posted a YouTube video disclosing the cellphone number, email and home address of Lt. John Pike, the University of California Davis police officer who sparked worldwide outrage when he pepper-sprayed a group of student protesters over the weekend.

"Dear Officer John Pike," a computer-generated voice in the video said. "Your information is now public domain."

The video, which was posted on Tuesday, has since been removed because it is "a violation of YouTube's policy prohibiting hate speech."

Anonymous has threatened or claimed credit for attacks on numerous media organizations, including Fox News--but this appears to be the first time the hacking group has targeted an individual.

"We have no problem targeting police and releasing their information even if it puts them at risk," the group said, "because we want them to experience just a taste of the brutality and misery they serve us on an everyday basis."

The voicemail box for Pike's cellphone was full late Tuesday, the Daily News reported.

"Expect our full wrath," the video concludes. "Anonymous seeks to avenge all protesters. We are going to make you squeal like a pig."

Pike and another officer were reportedly placed on administrative leave following the weekend clash with protesters on the UC-Davis campus.

The image of Pike pepper-spraying the students has been seared into the public consciousness. Photoshopped images of Pike pepper-spraying other things--like Mt. Rushmore--have gone viral.

But not everyone is convinced Pike's use of force was excessive. On Monday, Fox News' Megyn Kelly told Bill O'Reilly that pepper spray "is a food product, essentially."