Posted on 08/13/2008 3:54:14 PM PDT by ricks_place
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- A man barged into the Arkansas Democratic headquarters and opened fire Wednesday, fatally shooting the state party chairman before speeding off in his pickup. Police later shot and killed the suspect after a 30-mile chase.
Police said they don't know the motive for the 51-year-old suspect, whose name has not been released. However, they said moments after the shooting, he pointed a handgun at the building manager at the nearby the Arkansas Baptist headquarters. He told the manager "I lost my job," said Dan Jordan, a Baptist convention official.
Chairman Bill Gwatney died four hour after the shooting. The 48-year-old former state senator had been planning to travel to the Democratic National Convention later this month as a Hillary Clinton superdelegate.
Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, issued a statement calling Gwatney "not only a strong chairman of Arkansas' Democratic Party, but he is also a cherished friend and confidante."
Witnesses said the gunman entered the party offices shortly before noon and said he wanted to see Gwatney.
"He said he was interested in volunteering, but that was obviously a lie," said 17-year-old party volunteer Sam Higginbotham. He said the man then pushed past employees to reach the chairman's office, where he fired three times.
After the suspect avoided spike strips and a roadblock along U.S. 167 near Sheridan, police rammed his car, spinning it, said Grant County Sheriff Lance Huey. He got out of his truck and began shooting, and state police and sheriff's deputies fired back, striking him several times, he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at ap.google.com ...
Lefty Forums (DU, KOS, Moonbats, etc) blame Conservatives for this death rather than awaiting law enforcement's determination. The mudurer may have been a Gwatney auto employee who lost his job.
prayers for his family
Obama Thugs Make Pre-emptive Strike Against Probably Hillary Convention Takeover.
It's unclear as to the motive. They should have that nailed down tonight or tomorrow.
A tragedy. I hope they build a good case and convict the guy.
Obviously a conspiracy that involves W.
This is very sad. Prayers for Gwatney and his family.
Your comment is the type observed at Lefty Forums but directed at FR, among others.
He’s kinda messed up......sorta dead.
The shooter is dead.
Err, um, did you check Breaking News?
This Conservative asks the Lord Jesus Christ to comfort the family in this time of sorrow.
The shooter will have to face his maker.
I think the turd who shot this American was killed by the cops.
I let it go because Gwatney was a super delegate.
I guess that’s probably true. I was only positing one of the wild ideas that could crop up. What does the <...but directed at FR, among others....</i> mean?
The perp is dead
Terrible. Awful. This reeks of third/fourth world politics were people die right before major election events instead being allowed to participate.
Well... it appears the shooter is dead. Prayers for the victim and his family.
It’s a little early in the campaign cycle for an Arkancide isn’t it?
My first thought was he was an irate husband. The shot guy was a Rat afterall.
The Lefty Forums are blaming Rush, Hannity, Savage, FR, Hate Radio, and the Pope for the Murder of the Chairman rather than await a proper determination. (Maybe not the Pope) Some Lefty Posts appear to threaten retaliation with guns. There are also PUMAs blaming Obama! Some others caution against a jump to conclusion.
Sheesh, let’s all wait for the investigation. It’s quite possible this tragic shooting has nothing to do with politics.
The lefty forums are really too quick to rush to judgement.
Are AP stories OK to post now? Just asking.
NO AP POSTS ALLOWED!!
Where did the idea come from, that Rush, Hannity, et. al. are fomenting hatred? They espouse conservative ideals and sometimes ridicule Democrats / liberals / radicals, but it’s a stretch to say that these guys are preaching hatred of those with whom they disagree politically.
Recently, the AP policy was changed. AP material is now “excerpt always.”
A little reverse Arkancide - this time AGAINST the usual beneficiaries of such activity. Consider the upcoming wrestling match in Denver, for a clue as to the potential protagonists might be....
It’s Arkansas, and it is about Democrats.
This is the horse’s head lying beside you in the bed.
Cool!
Any specific reason AP backed off?
I wasn’t following the story that closely. I just listen to what the Big Guy says.
My apologies for shouting.
I was unaware of the new policy change regarding AP.
Criticizing or ridiculing one from the Left is hate speech.
It shows that you are intolerant and not accepting, and tolerant accepting people must then silence you.
LOL....
“I let it go because Gwatney was a super delegate.”
Suporting Clinton or Obama?
Sad news for his family and loved ones.
Bill & Hillery. Bill blamed Rush for the OK City bombing.
Either way both of them are meeting the ultimate Judge.
Likely Clinton as he is a old friend of Bill, but I can’t say for sure. I can say that knowing Arkansas power politics, I doubt it would have been Obama. They have too much love for the Clintons.
I just don’t care.
Won't be any trial, the shooter is as dead as his victim is...
the infowarrior
Guy at Kos says that the shooter was a former employee.
http://the-baculum-king.dailykos.com/
“The shooter, later killed by police (or himself) was Tim Johnson, 51, of Searcy, Arkansas, who was reportedly recently laid off from his job in the body shop of one of the Gwatney dealerships.”
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