Charleston Shooter Got Gun As 21st Birthday Present
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The man suspected of fatally shooting nine congregants at a historic black church in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, was given a pistol by his father as a 21st birthday present, his uncle told Reuters on Thursday. The Federal Bureau of Investigation identified the shooting suspect as 21-year-old Dylann Roof, who was taken into custody by police…
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D.B. Hirsch is a political activist, news junkie, and retired ad copy writer and spin doctor. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
tracey marie June 18th, 2015 at 11:26 pm
The father knew he was a felon and it was illegal for him to have a gun, so he bought it anyway. Seems the kids was taught by the father.
Robert M. Snyder June 19th, 2015 at 12:00 am
New facts are emerging. The NY Times just ran a story saying that the shooter bought the gun with money given to him by his parents for his 21st birthday.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/us/on-facebook-dylann-roof-charleston-suspect-wears-symbols-of-white-supremacy.html?_r=0
Foundryman June 19th, 2015 at 12:30 am
That’s worse. It shows how badly needed it is for expanded background checks with waiting periods.
Obewon June 19th, 2015 at 2:21 am
What would the Pope say about giving the gift of 9 in church murders including the female minister, to a Felony racist as an illegal 21st birthday gift?
madjayhawk June 19th, 2015 at 6:49 pm
A local TV station said that Roof’s grandfather said that his grandson was given money as a birthday present and used it to buy a gun.
From the reports I have seen, the kid hadn’t been convicted of anything. He had felony drug possession charges pending against him. He hadn’t been convicted yet.
Nevertheless, it is against federal law to sell a gun to someone who has pending felony charges brought against him. If the father bought the gun and gave it to him and if he knew that his son has felony charges against him, then the father could be prosecuted. The son did not live at home. So no matter how Rush got the gun, someone is in deep, ten years in prison trouble. The store owner who should have done a background check or the father is going to face some tough questioning. That is good.
My question is: like the case in Tucson, didn’t anyone recognize the fact that this person was crazy? Parents, friends, police, acquaintances? The people in the mall store seem to recognize that the kids was strange. People not taking people who act outside of ‘normal’ seriously is the problem. This kid was almost broadcasting what he was going to do (from what I read) and no one took him seriously. He should have been locked up or treated a long time ago. Why do we have to wait until these people have to act out whatever crazy plan they have rattling around in their brains?
We will have to wait for more facts. It is a sad, sad story. We can all feel a sense of grief for those killed and those who have to endure their loss. They were fine people living ordinary lives like we all do and had all that taken from them by a very disturbed person for no reason.