Holy Shit
Bill Gwatney, Chariman of the Arkansas Democratic Party, has been shot.
UPDATE: Gwatney has died. So has his attacker.
PRE-EMPTIVE UPDATE: Those of you, on any side of the gun debate, who want to try to use this to score some kind of cheap political points are hereby ordered to drink a nice warm glass of STFU. This isn’t about that, period.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Apparently the gunman got away too.
I’m guessing this was something personal from his private life spilling over. Besides being a Hillary superdelegate, this guy is pretty insignificant in a political sense.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
And nevermind, he’s shot and captured.
http://www.wlos.com/template/inews_wire/wires.national/2353fac8-www.wlos.com.shtml
August 13th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Be interesting to find out the reason(s) behind the shooting (other than the perp being an idiot, of course).
The story I read mentioned that he owns a car dealership so I’m betting it’s more likely related to that than to his political positions.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
tragic, but let me guess…gun-free zone?
August 13th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Oh wait – I was reading it wrong – if I click on ‘Your Time’ instead of ‘Bejing Time’ then yeah, they’re all at ‘convenient’ times.
I think it’s simply that they’re only carrying the events live and the time difference makes it somewhat less convenient for us here.
Out of 17 upcoming events only 6 are after 11:00 pm and one is at 11:30. Several are right in prime time at 8:00pm.
Are you saying that the Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Position Qualification is not on at 8:00pm tonight in your area? That would mean that your local station is going to the trouble to tape delay it themselves.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
… Aaaand the finger-pointing and general-purpose assininity (new word?) has already started.
August 13th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Doubt the gun free zone, but would expect some kind of hanky panky. Cars usually don’t bring on that much passion. Messing with someones wife or girl friend does.
August 13th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I’ve yet to meet the woman worth shooting someone over. You’re more likely to get me to shoot you by abusing my dog than doing my erstwhile girlfriend or wife. 🙂
August 13th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Crap. Hope the chairman recovers well.
August 13th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
When you consider how arrogant some of these fools act on TV and the rampant adultery and cheating they commit behind the scenes. Im shocked we don’t see more idiots and upset hubbys/boyfriends go after these pols.
August 13th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Just read a report that indicates the shooter may be an ex-employee of the car dealership.
August 13th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I’m waiting to see whether this was a personal dispute or someone reaching this Threshold of Outrage before I think too much on it.
August 13th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Looks like both the perp and the chairman were killed:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26181389
And that the shooter was an ex-employee of the car dealership who made his way to the Chairman by claiming to be a Dem volunteer.
August 13th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Jesus. I hate hearing about this kind of crap. My heart goes out to his family.
Wouldn’t there be security for a high-ranking State party chairman while he’s out campaigning at events?
August 13th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
mike w:
This happened in his office, not out at a campaign event.
August 13th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
The Arkansas police are saying, as far as they know, he wasn’t employed by Gwatney, but it’s easy to see how that could be. I’m sure they’re trying to figure that out now.
http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/2008/08/capitol_ave_crime_scene.aspx
August 13th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Dammit.
No one deserves to go out like that.
My condolences to his family.
tweaker
August 13th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
You know there seems to more instances of people just getting fed up and snapping. VT and some instances like this.
This is just wrong, to walk into his office and shoot him like that. We may not find out the reason.
I really do not want our politicians to feel required to have security and metal detetors and scared that people are going to kill them. Not a good message.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Hmmmm.
Man that’s no way to die. Wish he could get some justice but with the perp dead too there’s only the eulogy.
Yeah I think it’s become far too socially acceptable. I hate to sound like De Sade but the Founders included the death penalty.
August 14th, 2008 at 2:54 am
Apparently the guy worked at a Target store, and had been fired for writing graffiti on the wall.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Hmmm.
Bat-shit crazy is the new normal.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:51 am
just imagine what would have happened if he didn’t have a gun. but again, there are spoons out there…and pools…and cars…
August 14th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
So much for my pre-emptive update…