Ongoing US Mass Shooting Thread

[Senator Clay Davis]

Statement from Alison Parker's father

[Senator Clay Davis]

Details of the manifesto coming out

A man claiming to be Bryce Williams called ABC News over the last few weeks, saying he wanted to pitch a story, and wanted to fax information. He never told ABC News what the story was.

This morning, a fax was in the machine (time stamped 8:26 a.m.)almost two hours after the shooting. A little after 10 a.m., he called again, and introduced himself as Bryce, but also said his legal name was Vester Lee Flanagan, and that he shot two people this morning. While on the phone, he said authorities are “after me,” and “all over the place.” He hung up. ABC News contacted the authorities immediately and provided them with the fax.

In the 23-page document faxed to ABC News, the writer says “MY NAME IS BRYCE WILLIAMS” and his legal name is Vester Lee Flanagan II.” He writes what triggered today’s carnage was his reaction to the racism of the Charleston church shooting:

“Why did I do it? I put down a deposit for a gun on 6/19/15. The Church shooting in Charleston happened on 6/17/15…”

“What sent me over the top was the church shooting. And my hollow point bullets have the victims’ initials on them."

is unclear whose initials he is referring to. He continues, “As for Dylann Roof? You (deleted)! You want a race war (deleted)? BRING IT THEN YOU WHITE …(deleted)!!!” He said Jehovah spoke to him, telling him to act.

Later in the manifesto, the writer quotes the Virginia Tech mass killer, Seung Hui Cho, calls him “his boy,” and expresses admiration for the Columbine High School killers. “Also, I was influenced by Seung–Hui Cho. That’s my boy right there. He got NEARLY double the amount that Eric Harris and Dylann Klebold got…just sayin.'"

In an often rambling letter to the authorities, and family and friends, he writes of a long list of grievances. In one part of the document, Williams calls it a “Suicide Note for Friends and Family."

--He says has suffered racial discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying at work --He says he has been attacked by black men and white females --He talks about how he was attacked for being a gay, black man

“Yes, it will sound like I am angry...I am. And I have every right to be. But when I leave this Earth, the only emotion I want to feel is peace....”

“The church shooting was the tipping point…but my anger has been building steadily...I’ve been a human powder keg for a while…just waiting to go BOOM!!!!”

http://abcnews.go.com/US/shooting-al...ry?id=33336339

[pylon]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Statement from Alison Parker's father

Her father should be very careful. If CP has taught me anything, being crazy is a free pass to do any horrific crime you want, and automatically makes you the true victim. When will they think about the shooters feelings?

[GirlySports]

Shooting in KY courthouse.

[bax]

I wish news outlets wouldn't share these damn manifestos that these murderers have. All they do is spark copy cats. The public doesn't need to know that information

[Coach]

Originally Posted by bax

I wish news outlets wouldn't share these damn manifestos that these murderers have. All they do is spark copy cats. The public doesn't need to know that information

Yeah, particularly if the guy is dead and thus, not needed as evidence for a trial.

I dunno, on one hand I think reasons (no matter how horrendous or misguided) can bring some form of solace to those who have been hurt by this. Not that it even comes close to bringing back their loved one, at least they can know why (even if that reason makes no sense).

On the other hand, you don't want copy cats or other nutbars to use it as something to rally around, or as some form of justification for what he's done.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by pylon

Her father should be very careful. If CP has taught me anything, being crazy is a free pass to do any horrific crime you want, and automatically makes you the true victim. When will they think about the shooters feelings?

This is just an asinine response. Maybe you don't have any respect for people suffering through mental illness or have any friends or family dealing with it, but this is the sort of crap that does no one any good.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

GoPro video from the shooter.

Removed, as people were upset.

Wait, you actually posted that go pro video on CP at one point? Good lord man, I know you seem to lack awareness when it comes to death videos, as evidenced by the serious injury/death videos/gifs you've posted in the funny pic thread in the past, but that's just unacceptable.

You had to have known that couldn't be posted here, like seriously.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Shooting in KY courthouse.

A defendant wrestled a gun away from an officer in the elevator and committed suicide with it. I guess technically it's a shooting in a KY courthouse, but that's sensationalizing it a bit.

Plus a mass shooting is 3 or more victims.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by jayswin

A defendant wrestled a gun away from an officer in the elevator and committed suicide with it. I guess technically it's a shooting in a KY courthouse, but that's sensationalizing it a bit.

Plus a mass shooting is 3 or more victims.

ah they just updated it, at first there were no details.

carry on

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

ah they just updated it, at first there were no details.

carry on

How hopeless is this world now where a man wrestles a gun from a bailiff and committs suicide in an elevator (in front of said bailiff) is considered tame not newsworthy. I can't believe this is the U.S. in 2015.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

How hopeless is this world now where a man wrestles a gun from a bailiff and committs suicide in an elevator (in front of said bailiff) is considered tame not newsworthy. I can't believe this is the U.S. in 2015.

I think the point was just that this thread is for mass shootings.

[Peanut]

Well, I hope when Bryce/Vester left this earth he wasn't feeling any peace at least.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by pylon

Her father should be very careful. If CP has taught me anything, being crazy is a free pass to do any horrific crime you want, and automatically makes you the true victim. When will they think about the shooters feelings?

Oh shut up, pylon.

[Flabbibulin]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

This is just an asinine response. Maybe you don't have any respect for people suffering through mental illness or have any friends or family dealing with it, but this is the sort of crap that does no one any good.

Iirc, he has plenty of familiarity with this. Not sure if his opinions were formed by those experiences, but you can't assume that someone's frustration or cynicism with the mental health issue is formed by a lack of experience- it is quite often the opposite.

When an individual has a family member dealing with mental health issues, it is probably common for them to think the mentally troubled person can simply turn it off and be normal. When that family member does something rash because of their illness, my guess is it can lead to a lot of anger, not understanding.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

Iirc, he has plenty of familiarity with this. Not sure if his opinions were formed by those experiences, but you can't assume that someone's frustration or cynicism with the mental health issue is formed by a lack of experience- it is quite often the opposite.

When an individual has a family member dealing with mental health issues, it is probably common for them to think the mentally troubled person can simply turn it off and be normal. When that family member does something rash because of their illness, my guess is it can lead to a lot of anger, not understanding.

You are right to an extent. I have dealt with a lot of it. Both personally, and with family members. At the end of the day, I believe no matter what you do, you still have a degree of free will, and regardless of mental illness, you still are the one making the decisions.

There is no turning it off and being normal, I know this. It took me years to deal with some of my demons and depression. However, it is still your choice to do horrible things in most cases of mental illness, and you still have to follow the voice of reason in your head.

I admit it was a bit of a dumb comment, but there is a side of CP, that truly seems to believe that mental illness, gives you an excuse for anything. It doesn't. If your bullied, harassed, are broke, wrongfully dismissed.... whatever it is, and your anxiety, depression, sociopathy, narcissism... whatever you suffer is ramped up to 11, there is still the voice of reason that you are responsible to listen to before you throw the rope over, or go on your shooting rampage. I do not dimiss metal illness, but I dismiss it as an excuse for horrible damaging acts in most cases. It's becoming an easy cop out for many.

Vincent Li, I don't blame him, and I feel sorry for him to an extent. But I still do not believe he deserves a second chance, it's too risky to the public IMO. It may seem unfair to him, and his supporters, but the rights of many, and the victims, should trump his rights, again IMO. The fact that monster is contained in his head, and only 2 days of missed medication from being unleashed again, doesn't make it worth the public risk.

[surferguy]

Here is my request: hackers of the world - unite and demolish the funding/lobby power of the NRA. Fight them without guns. Maybe it could free up some of the favors in the pockets of politians.

From an outside view it's absurd that American Society continues to allow this. That said I am not American and I can't emphasis with the subject.

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by surferguy

Here is my request: hackers of the world - unite and demolish the funding/lobby power of the NRA. Fight them without guns. Maybe it could free up some of the favors in the pockets of politians.

From an outside view it's absurd that American Society continues to allow this. That said I am not American and I can't emphasis with the subject.

I am American, conservative, and from a household that had multiple firearms growing up. I've used firearms for hunting, sporting shooting, and fun. I think I have even tried arguing my pro firearm stance on CP multiple times. However..... ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! .

Seeing the complete empathy people have for other people's lives is sickening and disheartening. I would gladly trade in my every gun right I have ever had as an American to stop this senseless stuff. Get rid of all of them... every last one and I wouldn't care.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by nickerjones

I am American, conservative, and from a household that had multiple firearms growing up. I've used firearms for hunting, sporting shooting, and fun. I think I have even tried arguing my pro firearm stance on CP multiple times. However..... ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! .

Seeing the complete empathy people have for other people's lives is sickening and disheartening. I would gladly trade in my every gun right I have ever had as an American to stop this senseless stuff. Get rid of all of them... every last one and I wouldn't care.

Excellent, this is exactly what we need to hear, and how we need Americans to start feeling. Except you're one of us now!

I think that's what frustrates us with some other American posters on CP is their responses are so representative of America's response as a whole to every tragedy and every suggestion that your country needs drastic changes.

It's always a ho hum "Well, not much you can do about it, guns are part of us, it is what it is, and quite frankly Canadians are annoying when they get all indignant and hopeful that real change could happen".

[wittynickname]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Excellent, this is exactly what we need to hear, and how we need Americans to start feeling. Except you're one of us now!

I think that's what frustrates us with some other American posters on CP is their responses are so representative of America's response as a whole to every tragedy and every suggestion that your country needs drastic changes.

It's always a ho hum "Well, not much you can do about it, guns are part of us, it is what it is, and quite frankly Canadians are annoying when they get all indignant and hopeful that real change could happen".

I wish that had been the case, but I had to walk away from a co-worker today when he insisted that just everyone should have a gun and then this would stop. Because I'm sure that these two would've been able to fend off an ambush if they'd just had guns with them.

It's horrifying how these people honestly believe the "good guy with a gun" theory.