Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Up to Eight "Ninja" Dressed Men Sought in Murder of Florida Couple with 16 Children - Video 7/13/09
Freedom's Lighthouse ^ | July 14, 2009 | BrianinMO

Posted on 07/14/2009 6:18:17 AM PDT by Federalist Patriot

Here is video from Nancy Grace last night where the murder of Byrd and Melanie Billings, a Florida couple with 16 children, was discussed in detail. Officials are now looking for up to eight suspects thought to be involved in the murders. Four suspects are already in custody. Reports say they were dressed in "Ninja-style" clothing and conducted the assault on the home with "military precision." The Billings had adopted 12 of the children, most of them with special needs like Autism and Down's Syndrome. . . . . . (Watch Video)

(Excerpt) Read more at freedomslighthouse.com ...


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: billings; billingsmurder; florida; homeinvasion
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-5051-52 next last

1 posted on 07/14/2009 6:18:17 AM PDT by Federalist Patriot
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Federalist Patriot

I hope Florida still has muscle behind the death penalty.


2 posted on 07/14/2009 6:20:01 AM PDT by CaptainK (...please make it stop. Shake a can of pennies at it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Federalist Patriot

What was the motive behind the murders?


3 posted on 07/14/2009 6:21:22 AM PDT by caver (Obama's first goals: allow more killing of innocents and allow the killers of innocents to go free.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Federalist Patriot

Weird.


4 posted on 07/14/2009 6:22:36 AM PDT by villagerjoel (1. Implement socialist policies 2. ??? 3. Heaven on earth)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Federalist Patriot

Republican donor?


5 posted on 07/14/2009 6:23:47 AM PDT by dblshot
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Federalist Patriot

the consequences of liberal-progressivism.


6 posted on 07/14/2009 6:27:41 AM PDT by ken21 (i am not voting for a rino-progressive.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Federalist Patriot

This story made a hell of a lot more sense when it was just two idiots out for a robbery.

}:-)4


7 posted on 07/14/2009 6:28:34 AM PDT by Moose4 (Palin/some guy who can keep it in his pants 2012)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: caver

That is my question. What was their reason for killing these people.


8 posted on 07/14/2009 6:32:32 AM PDT by Venturer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: caver
What was the motive behind the murders?

According to the news this morning, they still say just a robbery.

But based on a number of things that were said, that's a load of crap. 8 men, dressed as ninja's, military tactics, in and out in 10 or 11 minutes, and went right to the parents bedroom, avoiding all the kids rooms, many with alarms on the doors.

How old are the older children? Could one have a vendetta against their parents? Just a wild hunch at this point, admittedly without a lot of knowledge of the details.

9 posted on 07/14/2009 6:33:33 AM PDT by Tatze (I reject your reality and substitute my own!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Moose4

My guess it that the couple was familiar with one member of the gang (who was familiar with their wealth and the set up of their home). Perhaps a former employee. That person got the gang together.

Just a guess.


10 posted on 07/14/2009 6:34:19 AM PDT by CaptainK (...please make it stop. Shake a can of pennies at it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Tatze

If this wasn’t so tragic I would say janet reno was involved


11 posted on 07/14/2009 6:38:17 AM PDT by shadeaud ("If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten." -- George Carlin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: CaptainK
Someone speculated on a thread yesterday that perhaps this was a drug-related raid . . . and that the assailants hit the wrong house.

Points that tend to reinforce that possibility would be: (1) no apparent motive; and (2) if, in fact, the Billings couple knew none of the attackers.

Makes about as much sense as any other explanation at this point.

12 posted on 07/14/2009 6:40:24 AM PDT by Alberta's Child (God is great, beer is good . . . and people are crazy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Tatze

The children are listed as being aged 3 to 11. I doubt they have anything to do with hiring ninjas.


13 posted on 07/14/2009 6:40:44 AM PDT by PapaBear3625 (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money -- Thatcher)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Tatze

I agree...this thing was no random robbery gone bad. It was planned and executed with military precision. Very interesting case...


14 posted on 07/14/2009 6:42:09 AM PDT by NMEwithin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: CaptainK

Pic of Gary Lamont Sumner, arrested suspect, from CNN.

15 posted on 07/14/2009 6:43:09 AM PDT by PapaBear3625 (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money -- Thatcher)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: PapaBear3625
Correction to my prior post, they have adult biological children. video

It is conceivable that a biological child might have been upset at the inheritance might now be getting split among the adopted special-needs kids, but I'm not going to go down that route without further evidence.

16 posted on 07/14/2009 6:47:54 AM PDT by PapaBear3625 (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money -- Thatcher)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: NMEwithin
According to ABC:
One team of two three men entered the front of the house while another team of two men, all dressed in black ninja gear, entered through an unlocked back door of the home, he said.

The sheriff marveled at the speed of the attack, saying the invaders were in and out of the house in less than four minutes.

"This was a well-planned, methodical operation," Morgan said. "There was planning that went into this operation."

I'm guessing they were briefed on the layout of the house, where to go to find the Billings master bedroom, etc. Also, their ease of entrance would indicate an insider to both give them the layout and ensure the doors would be unlocked.
17 posted on 07/14/2009 6:54:29 AM PDT by PapaBear3625 (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money -- Thatcher)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: PapaBear3625
The children are listed as being aged 3 to 11. I doubt they have anything to do with hiring ninjas.

Well, the perps weren't ninja's, they just dressed that way.

I now read that 8 children were home at the time, and those were ages 8 to 14. The story says they were married 18 years ago and both brought 2 children from previous marriages, so they have children older than 18.

So they had 4 children total from previous marriages when they married, and then adopted 12. Jealousy of the attention given to the adopted children at the expense of the biological children? Again, wild hunch, but I'll stick with it for now.

18 posted on 07/14/2009 6:56:33 AM PDT by Tatze (I reject your reality and substitute my own!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Alberta's Child

That’s what I was thinking, wrong house.


19 posted on 07/14/2009 6:56:45 AM PDT by east1234 (It's the borders stupid! My new environmentalist inspired tagline: cut, kill, dig and drill)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Federalist Patriot

bump


20 posted on 07/14/2009 6:56:49 AM PDT by RDTF ("I'm pretty sure this is a 2 man job once the shooting starts")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Alberta's Child

One of the things on the news was an interview with a local reporter who had interviewed the family recently. She said because of the “special needs” status of many of the adopted children, the doors to their rooms had alarms, so they would be alerted to their movement around the house.

The “robbers” managed to break in, and skip every one of the children’s rooms and head right to the master where the parents were. They knew exactly where to go.


21 posted on 07/14/2009 7:00:36 AM PDT by Tatze (I reject your reality and substitute my own!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Tatze
Over here are pics of the four arrested suspects. Don't seem like random gang bangers:


22 posted on 07/14/2009 7:21:14 AM PDT by PapaBear3625 (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money -- Thatcher)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: PapaBear3625

One (upper left, I think) was a Karate instructor. Otherwise, a very random group. Definitely more details to come.


23 posted on 07/14/2009 7:29:09 AM PDT by Tatze (I reject your reality and substitute my own!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Federalist Patriot; Joe Brower
Up to Eight "Ninja" Dressed Men Sought in Murder

Good Lord...

I'm going to print this article up and carry in my CCW instructors folder and hand it to the next bozo who says we shouldn't own "weapons of war".

Idiot gun controllers refuse to acknowledge that we ARE AT WAR with both foreign and domestic (recidivist gang banger) criminals and terrorists!

FMCDH

24 posted on 07/14/2009 7:37:44 AM PDT by DCBryan1 ( Arm Pilots&Teachers. Build the Wall. Export Illegals. Profile Muslims. Execute child molesters RFN!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tatze
"They knew exactly where to go."

Due to the surveillance & alarm systems in place, one would then investigate outside contractors and their employees who had been on location in the past.

25 posted on 07/14/2009 7:43:33 AM PDT by Deaf Smith (I spent all my money on women & booze, the other rest I just plain blew.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: harpseal; TexasCowboy; nunya bidness; AAABEST; Travis McGee; Squantos; Shooter 2.5; wku man; SLB; ..
DCBryan1 wrote:
"I'm going to print this article up and carry in my CCW instructors folder and hand it to the next bozo who says we shouldn't own "weapons of war"."

This whole sad affair is just weird. My heart goes out to the kids most of all.

The initial report stated that three assailants entered the house from both front and rear. Even if you were at the ready with arms in hand, you'd be hard-pressed to come out alive, much less unscathed. If you're armed you can at the very least stand and deliver (from cover, preferably). This man and his wife never stood a chance.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds and what the motive was.

Click the Gadsden flag for pro-gun resources!

26 posted on 07/14/2009 7:55:01 AM PDT by Joe Brower (Sheep have three speeds: "graze", "stampede" and "cower".)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: Venturer

Didn’t want to leave any witnesses?


27 posted on 07/14/2009 8:03:44 AM PDT by FreedomPoster (No Representation without Taxation!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Joe Brower
how different is this vs an ATF raid?

In the former, you get out with your life (possibly)and get declared a hero. In the latter you most likely die, or get put in jail, and have all your stuff confiscated.

The actual raid is same same.

28 posted on 07/14/2009 8:04:15 AM PDT by going hot (Happiness is a Momma Deuce)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Joe Brower

Coming soon...demand for licensing, background checks and registration on all sales of BDU’s and ski masks.


29 posted on 07/14/2009 8:06:31 AM PDT by Abundy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: going hot
how different is this vs an ATF raid?

They only killed tha parents and let the kids live. ATF would have killed them all, burned the place down to conceal the evidence of what they actually did, and claim, like all law enforcement, that "they feared for their lives."

30 posted on 07/14/2009 8:15:23 AM PDT by from occupied ga (Your most dangerous enemy is your own government,)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: from occupied ga

agree mostly, except that they are not “like all law enforcement”. They are in a class of their own.


31 posted on 07/14/2009 8:19:49 AM PDT by going hot (Happiness is a Momma Deuce)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: going hot

I was actually the feebs that roasted the Branch Davidians after the ATF started the mess. It was the marshalls service and the feebs who killed Randy Weaver’s wife and kid. It was the Atlanta Police department that murdered a 92 year old woman and then planted drugs in her house. So as dispicable as the ATF is they really aren’t all that different from the rest of jackbootdom.


32 posted on 07/14/2009 8:31:01 AM PDT by from occupied ga (Your most dangerous enemy is your own government,)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: CaptainK
My guess it that the couple was familiar with one member of the gang (who was familiar with their wealth and the set up of their home). Perhaps a former employee. That person got the gang together.

The news this morning said that two of the men had done yard work for the couple. My guess is that they cased the house for a robbery. The police said that the case was "very interesting" and not a straight up home invasion, but gave no more details.

33 posted on 07/14/2009 8:36:09 AM PDT by mbynack (Retired USAF SMSgt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: from occupied ga
maybe, just maybe, law enforcement is populated with the same percentage of libs and conservatives as the general population. Anyway, I would like to think so.

If so, it would make sense how some are pure evil, and some are not.

I have leo friends, and if TSHTF, they will not be toeing the govt line.

Others that I know I don't get into much conversation with, due to their attitudes and probable allegiances.

34 posted on 07/14/2009 8:36:55 AM PDT by going hot (Happiness is a Momma Deuce)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: going hot
If so, it would make sense how some are pure evil, and some are not.

Stands to reason that they're not all bad or all good, but I guessing that there are a higher percentage of statists in law enforcement than in the general populace. After all you don't go into law enforcement because you think that there are too many government laws abridging freedom and that you don't want to enforce them.

35 posted on 07/14/2009 8:40:57 AM PDT by from occupied ga (Your most dangerous enemy is your own government,)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: from occupied ga

prolly not, but I suspect many join because it is a job, one that they either can do or are willing to learn.


36 posted on 07/14/2009 8:48:28 AM PDT by going hot (Happiness is a Momma Deuce)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: DCBryan1
I'm going to print this article up and carry in my CCW instructors folder and hand it to the next bozo who says we shouldn't own "weapons of war".
Idiot gun controllers refuse to acknowledge that we ARE AT WAR with both foreign and domestic (recidivist gang banger) criminals and terrorists!

Law Enforcement in my area are finding very organized gang activity from a few different walks of life reaching very deeply into what was formerly quiet, rural communities. This includes very recent legal and illegal immigrants to the country. They possess sophisticated weaponry, sophisticated alarm systems and varying levels of para-military organization.

Who knows what was the motivation for this attack. It is obvious to all that it was far beyond a random burglary. I think it is unwise to speculate too loudly until more facts are in.

Regardless, as law enforcement in my area has recommended to folks; Keep your eyes open, report suspicious / unusual activity that may be criminal, and make provisions -- if the need arises -- to take care of yourself until law enforcement can arrive. Around here that can be approximately 20 minutes.

37 posted on 07/14/2009 8:55:08 AM PDT by Ghengis
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: from occupied ga
ATF operatives would have also stomped-to-death any nearby "threatening" puppies & kittens at the invasion scene.
I would like to say that I'm just kidding in the sentence above, but I'm not.

38 posted on 07/14/2009 9:03:37 AM PDT by Blue Jays (Rock Hard, Ride Free)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Federalist Patriot
My take on this invasion is that it's drug related. The group is so illogically diverse that drug usage or distribution is the only logical reason for the well-planned crime.

Always follow the money trail....this group of thugs need money for their activities, whatever they are, and successful home invasions provide the wherewithal.

Leni

39 posted on 07/14/2009 9:10:45 AM PDT by MinuteGal (Please Don't Tell Obama What Comes After a Trillion!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MinuteGal

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,532423,00.html

A spokeswoman with the sheriff’s office said that more information would be announced later Tuesday by authorities from Escambia County. A press conference was planned for 1 p.m. EDT.

The new arrests, both in a nearby county, bring the total to six.


40 posted on 07/14/2009 9:21:22 AM PDT by RDTF ("I'm pretty sure this is a 2 man job once the shooting starts")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: Blue Jays
I would like to say that I'm just kidding in the sentence above, but I'm not.

I know.

41 posted on 07/14/2009 9:22:21 AM PDT by from occupied ga (Your most dangerous enemy is your own government,)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: Tatze
How old are the older children? Could one have a vendetta against their parents? Just a wild hunch at this point, admittedly without a lot of knowledge of the details.

That's exactly what I was thinking, in an equally uninformed way. I could easily see a disgruntled natural child -- with drug/money problems, perhaps -- going "ninja" on his folks after they'd pissed him off for the last time.

42 posted on 07/14/2009 9:25:37 AM PDT by r9etb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Alberta's Child
See post #33

The news this morning said that two of the men had done yard work for the couple. My guess is that they cased the house for a robbery. The police said that the case was "very interesting" and not a straight up home invasion, but gave no more details.

43 posted on 07/14/2009 9:27:55 AM PDT by CaptainK (...please make it stop. Shake a can of pennies at it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Federalist Patriot

I hope that Florida is building an 8 station gallows to entertain the killers.
This is beyond heinous.


44 posted on 07/14/2009 9:41:30 AM PDT by BuffaloJack (Obama = Trickle Up Poverty)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CaptainK

one of the arrests today is 16 years old. Press conference about to start. Looking for live feed

http://www.weartv.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wear_vid_2698.shtml


45 posted on 07/14/2009 9:51:55 AM PDT by RDTF ("I'm pretty sure this is a 2 man job once the shooting starts")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: All

Live for press conference:

http://www.news-press.com/article/20090713/NEWS01/90713052/1075


46 posted on 07/14/2009 9:55:03 AM PDT by RDTF ("I'm pretty sure this is a 2 man job once the shooting starts")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: Joe Brower

I’m betting that armed wholesale slaughter of this sort was related to drugs or drug money. Or maybe the old man was a snitch. It usually is.


47 posted on 07/14/2009 10:35:53 AM PDT by Dick Bachert (ELECTION 2010 IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF OUR LIFETIME! If you have to ask why, UR part of the problem!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Dick Bachert

They had the sheriff on the local news along with one of the victims daughters.

According to the sheriff, it appears to be a simple case of robbery carried out by an organized gang who had done similar things before.

They took a safe but it must not have been recovered as the sheriff said he does not know it’s contents. Other items of value were also taken in the amazingly short time of four minutes.

Three Whites, Three Blacks and the other I don’t know. Some were current and former military. It sort of reminds me of the guys who carried out the famous Clutter killings. Criminals commonly think wealthy people keep large amounts of cash at home but they usually don’t.


48 posted on 07/14/2009 6:54:30 PM PDT by yarddog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: yarddog

Thanks for the update.

Yes, another sad “In Cold Blood” situation. Prayers for the kids. Mom and dad are in a better place (especially now).

What a shame the victim didn’t get the drop on the bast**ds and blow a few of them away.

Points out once again that when it comes to personal safety, we really are pretty much on our own.

The government can have MY guns when they pry them from my cold, dead fingers.


49 posted on 07/14/2009 7:07:40 PM PDT by Dick Bachert (ELECTION 2010 IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF OUR LIFETIME! If you have to ask why, UR part of the problem!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: yarddog

At least a few of the “perps” had done work around the house (pressure washing, etc) if anything this sounds a little like the Elizabeth Smart thing where the family was well off and was generous to less well off in their community, paying them to do work around their home, then the people they felt sorry for used their generosity to case the place and plan the assault on them... we are in a society where it doesn’t pay to take pitty on some people.


50 posted on 07/14/2009 7:16:57 PM PDT by Arizona Carolyn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-5051-52 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson