Mysterious tear gas canister sickens 43 in city [update to yesterday's breaking news]

Johnstown PA Tribune Democrat ^ | 11/20/02 | KIRK SWAUGER and PETE BOSAK

[Petronski]

Nothing to see here. Move along.

[tallhappy]

What do you mean? What do you think there is to see?

[concerned about politics]

“This isn’t something that can be purchased over the counter,” he said.

Maybe this will help make it easier to track.
What bothers me is the closeness to the school.
If this isn't Muslim terrorism, what kind of nut would do something like this? Someone who's still angry Gore lost? Did a democrat just lose an election there?

[Polycarp]

Local update:

The 6-inch long, 2-inch wide tear gas canister, marked “Riot Gas,” was found in Cherry Run, a trickling stream near Bishop McCort. The canister was located about 6 feet from Osborne Street and 40 feet away from Bishop McCort, authorities said. [This is also only 50 feet from the region's only trauma center hospital]

The gas was identified as CS, which was developed in the 1950s for military use. It is used by the military or SWAT teams, Foust said. It is intentionally detonated like a hand grenade, and cannot be released accidentally. Authorities said the gas became even more potent when mixed with water from the stream – an indication the suspect may have experience with tear gas.

“When it hits the water, it has a greater effect than dry air,” Huss said.

The gas isn’t available at local Army and Navy stores or weapons dealers, Foust said. Police have to request it using official letterhead.

“This isn’t something that can be purchased over the counter,” he said.

[Polycarp]

What bothers me is the closeness to the school.

It was just as close to our largest hospital, which is a regional trauma center.

[Madame Dufarge]

light blue Chevrolet Caprice

This Chevy Caprice thing is getting bizarre.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

This Chevy Caprice thing is getting bizarre.

I noticed that too. After reading that line, I checked to see if the article was in the 'Humor' topic.

[DoctorMichael]

Averting-my-eyes-Bump.

[Lion's Cub]

It is intentionally detonated like a hand grenade, and cannot be released accidentally. (Snip)

The gas isn’t available at local Army and Navy stores or weapons dealers, Foust said. Police have to request it using official letterhead.

“This isn’t something that can be purchased over the counter,” he said.

That pretty much rules out accidents, kids, or pranks.

[Tijeras_Slim]

light blue Chevrolet Caprice

If it was a red pickup truck, we'd all know who it was.

[Howie]

Naaah, there was no fire and no chemicals mixed in with the CS.

[keats5]

Has this been on cable news yet? I haven't heard a thing except on this site.

[ninenot]

What Sort of Person???

Silly of you to ask.

White, male, Christian, NRA member, "disaffected," and friendly with various militia groups.

At least until it turns out to be a Muslim, Black, Leftist.

[sheik yerbouty]

At that point we can say "Oh! What a coincidence!"

[spycatcher]

My bet is it was teenagers who just watched NBC's Fear Factor on Monday night, had access to an old canister and thought it would be funny to release

Fear Factor CS Gas Confidence Chamber

[nygoose]

Also a huge pot belly.

[Coop]

Nothing to see here. Move along.

People like you crack me up. This is a very informative article chock full of forthcoming details, and you have to immediately imply that authorities are hiding something. [yawn]

[Busywhiskers]

CS gas. Nothing like it for clearing the old sinuses.

This stuff is widely available to military units including Guard and Reserve units. My guess would be that someone pinched a canister during training and took it home. I do not think that there is much control on it.

[Petronski]

This is a very informative article chock full of forthcoming details, and you have to immediately imply that authorities are hiding something.

Actually, I am implying that the Johnstown authorities are being very informative, as authorities usually are, early on.

Later the feds and the media will have some explanation why it was just an 'isolated incident' and we don't need to worry about it. See, for example, the El Al reservation counter shooting at LAX.