Posted on 09/27/2013 11:51:07 AM PDT by Colonel Kangaroo
Suspect says in jailhouse interview that he has been hearing voices and believed people were after him
Fort Worth police said the city "avoided a major tragedy" Tuesday night when a gunman tried to fire at least five shots inside crowded McDonald's restaurant but his pistol malfunctioned.
Surveillance video released late Thursday shows Jestin Anthony Joseph, 24, pulling the trigger several times while attempting to rob customers and employees, police said.
Incredibly, the gunman walked outside and fired his gun successfully in the air, police said. He walked back inside and tried to shoot again, but the gun again malfunctioned.
"I've never seen a video like this before," said Fort Worth police robbery detective Joe Loughman. "My gut feeling is the city of Fort Worth and the Fort Worth police department avoided a major tragedy on Tuesday night."
Joseph entered the McDonald's located at 4800 South Freeway in Fort Worth just after 9 p.m. and asked a cashier for a water cup, police said. He then walked over to the water fountain, where witnesses said he was mumbling to himself before showing his weapon.
"I walked into McDonald's, asked for water, went to the machine and, as soon as I did, dude said something to me. That's when I pulled the gun, and I lost it," Joseph told NBC DFW in a jailhouse interview Thursday afternoon.
Joseph, who said the gun was loaded but not cocked, said he had no plans to hurt anyone.
Joseph said he started hearing voices Sunday night and continues to hear them.
He said he has never been treated for mental illness.
Joseph added he was angry, believed people were after him, and had gone to the McDonald's to steal a car to get out of town.
Asked if there was a better way to handle his anger, he answered, "No."
The customers and employees were "severely traumatized" by the incident but the gunman was "calm" afterwards, Loughman said.
One customer tussled briefly with the gunman. An employee tried to reason with him -- even as the gun was pointed at his head, police said.
Patrol officers arrested him walking nearby without incident.
Joseph is being held in the Mansfield Jail on five charges of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. His bond is set at $500,000. Fort Worth contracts with Mansfield to hold inmates.
"I can't explain it," he said in his interview. "People are going to think I'm crazy. It's whatever."
NBC 5's Eric King contributed to this report.
Angels and demons, sounds like.
This reminds me of the scene from Schindler’s List
Maybe Lorcin or kel-Tec makes a gun that won’t fire when held sideways? Lucky people in that store!
ANY day can be tragic without the Hand of God shielding us. :)
When they let him out in a few weeks, he will have no trouble getting secret security clearance and will be able to work on a U.S. Military base.
Sounds like he needed to visit his drug dealer rather than McDonald’s, and get something to take care of those voices in his head.
Very fortunate outcome.
If Obama had a f’ng nut.....
Since he did this in Texas, he’s probably lucky to be alive. I was really surprised that someone with a CCW did not end the incident with the perp going out on a slab.
“Not cocked” = forgot to rack the slide and therefore there wasn’t one in the chamber.
Were they using microwaves on him?
Another one who could have been Obozo’s son.
Wonder what party he voted for several times in 2012?
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/tag/jestin-anthony-joseph/
Bump!
The gun is obviously rayciss.
I know one sure “fire” way to stop those voices in his head but the ACLU wouldn’t like it....
Another criminal nut with a gun, and the gun gets the blame. Actually, it sounds like the gun is the hero in this one.
And be treated like a prince.
What little stuff I ever did on base as a civilian contractor with others, typically any of holder’s people weren’t that great but a few really were.
Witnesses say one woman dropped to her knees and began praying, where upon the gun failed to fire.
Paranoid schizophrenia? Age 24. Not an unusual age of onset. Hearing voices & feeling someone is after him etc. - consistent with it. I feel bad for the guy - I don’t think he’s a criminal, but he will have to be treated like one for the protection of society.
:)
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