Gunman On Rampage Kills 13, Then Self in N.Y.BINGHAMTON, N.Y.
By anniepa
@anniepa (27955)
United States
April 4, 2009 1:32am CST
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. - A gunman barricaded the back door of a community center with his car and then opened fire on a room full of immigrants taking a citizenship class Friday, killing 13 people before apparently committing suicide, officials said.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30030756/
The motive for this is still unknown according to police but I find it interesting the victims were all immigrants hoping to become U.S. citizens. Police found 2 handguns and a hunting knife at the scene.
Any thoughts on this terrible tragedy?
Annie
1 person likes this
12 responses
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
4 Apr 09
I watched this unfold on and off for a while yesterday. I can't say for sure what his motives are eother. I think Voong himself was an immigrant was he not? This unfortunatly is one of those things everyone will try to make sense of, but we can't really. Somethimes sensless things happen.
2 people like this
@jerzgirl (9327)
• United States
4 Apr 09
Wow - have I been out of the loop. In looking at this one, I learned about the killings at a nursing home in NC this past Sunday. Idiots!!! I don't know what to think about this one, though. The guy was an immigrant himself - maybe because of the economy he felt threatened by the newer immigrants coming over with the few jobs there were. No one really knows what their mindsets are when they blow like this. Especially when they take themselves out as well. All you can do is guess, unless they leave a clearly outlined motive behind, so a lot will depend on what they find on his computers. If he talked with any chat rooms or in any blogs, they may learn more. Although I can easily relate to being angry and wanting to cause a lot of damage or disruption, I cannot ever understand the taking of innocent lives who have nothing whatsoever to do with the person who is angry. It's pure insanity.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
13 Apr 09
You're right, Jerz. Too often it's not until after the fact that the pieces fall together when people begin analyzing signs they didn't see. Often there are not signs, you're right about that. How often have we heard the words, "He was such a quiet man..." or something to that effect about someone who has gone on a murderous spree?
Annie
@fluffysue (1482)
• United States
5 Apr 09
I hate reading about this stuff. I always wonder why they don't just kill themselves first, and leave everyone else out of it. Then it is in the media, and it gives people ideas. Now there was someone else killing people in Pittsburgh, and who knows what will happen tomorrow?
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
5 Apr 09
I understand three police officers were killed and a fourth was wounded in Pittsburgh after responding to a domestic violence call. A few days ago we had the killings in a nursing home. Several days before that there were four other cops killed in California. Who or where will be next?
Annie
@fluffysue (1482)
• United States
5 Apr 09
I guess the father killing his 5 kids was next. I read about that shortly after I posted that comment here. It is very depressing, and it's getting so that I don't even want to go outside, you never know what is going to happen. I like to sit at a coffee shop for hours to do my job-hunting and playing around on the computer; now when I go I seriously think, what if someone comes in there and starts shooting? Do I really want to die because I wanted some coffee while I surf the web?
1 person likes this
@AngryKittyMSV (4317)
• United States
4 Apr 09
I don't understand why this is in politics, unless you plan to somehow blame Palin or Bush for the actions of that madman. (
)
I live about an hour east of wher ethis happened, and form what I have heard on the local news, the gunman was a Vietnamese immigrant recently laid off from IBM and frustrated that he had a hardtime learning English. The place location where he killed all those people is a center for immigrants to get help, such as learning English and studying to becoem citizens. Yesterday when he started killing folks, they were holding a citizenship class. Here is a link to my the story as covered by my local paper, it's still a "developing story" so it may update throughout the course of the day:
http://poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20090404/NEWS/904040333&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL
)
I live about an hour east of wher ethis happened, and form what I have heard on the local news, the gunman was a Vietnamese immigrant recently laid off from IBM and frustrated that he had a hardtime learning English. The place location where he killed all those people is a center for immigrants to get help, such as learning English and studying to becoem citizens. Yesterday when he started killing folks, they were holding a citizenship class. Here is a link to my the story as covered by my local paper, it's still a "developing story" so it may update throughout the course of the day:
http://poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20090404/NEWS/904040333&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL
1 person likes this
@AngryKittyMSV (4317)
• United States
5 Apr 09
LOL. OK, then I won't blame 0bama for this one either.
What I find really sad is that the immigrants in the class that day were doing the right thing and they were actually taking their citizenship test when that maniac started his rampage.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
10 Apr 09
I know, it sure is sad. They say he was upset that he didn't speak English well and apparently he'd taken classes but had quit because he was having trouble with them. OK, I can imagine it's probably harder for some people than for others and I've never lived in a place where everyone else spoke a different language but I'm sure it's frustrating. However, killing those poor innocent people is indefensible. They could have helped him if he'd only asked for it.
Annie
@staven (6)
• China
4 Apr 09
In my opinion,too many person have privite handguns are dangerous.
Most of violent event caused by huns.As a result of that, victims often being killed instead of slightly injured.
But every coin have two sides.We can not blamed the arms.
The most important point is the person why use it,and what for.
And his mind, spite and education.
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
4 Apr 09
The motive for this is still unknown according to police but I find it interesting the victims were all immigrants hoping to become U.S. citizens
I would have to say that IMO thats part of the motive if not all of it...but who knows at this point....
that actually happened only a couple hours from me..
1 person likes this
@blackmantra_x (2732)
• Philippines
4 Apr 09
Two words Apathy and lack of sense of morality and also probably mixed with depression. We know that times are hard and whether we like it or not majority of us will be affected and that is something that we have to face. He lost his job and blame the immigrants probably because a former immigrant stole his job and turn to blame it on all immigrants. I feel sorry for him and those who thinks like he did.
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
4 Apr 09
Very sad. I really don't understand why people kill people they don't know. I can understand why people kill people they know well, I mean the person could have did something awful and the person that killed felt justified. But, just a strangers baffels me.
1 person likes this
@syankee525 (6261)
• United States
4 Apr 09
this make no sence at all for people having to go to this extremme to protest, he should just killed himself and instead killing and hurting people for no reason
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@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
8 Apr 09
Wasn't the gunman also an immigrant or the child of immigrants? I don't understand the thought process of these wackos who kill this way.
