'Al-Qaeda' gunman in college siege (Dyersburg State Community College, Tennessee)

Associated Press ^ | 09-17-03

[Brian S]

HOME > BREAKING NEWS > STORY

'Al-Qaeda' gunman in college siege From correspondents in Dyersburg, Tennessee September 18, 2003

A MAN with a gun and a knife claiming to be a member of al-Qaeda took a classroom of US college students hostage this afternoon.

Four people were released several hours into the standoff, authorities said.

Because the gunman claimed to be a member of an international terrorist organisation, the FBI has been called in, but Police Chief Bobby Williamson said authorities have no reason to believe the claim.

A SWAT team and about five hostage negotiators were among the officers called to the scene.

No injuries or gunshots were reported in the standoff at Dyersburg State Community College, about 120 km north-east of Memphis, Tennessee.

The gunman, believed to have a 9mm pistol - the calibre now used by US armed forces - had made no demands but said he would kill himself, Williamson said.

Williamson said About 12 to 16 people were in the classroom when the standoff began.

Officers were communicating to the gunman through student hostages on their mobile phones, "but he won't talk directly to us," Williamson said.

Police refused to identify the gunman but said he was not a student or college employee. They are talking to his sister on the scene, but the gunman won't talk to her, Williamson said.

"I think eventually he'll surrender," Williamson said.

Athletic director Alan Barnett said that authorities cleared the campus of other students.

The Associated Press

[GovernmentShrinker]

The hostage taker is identified as 26-year-old Harold Kilpatrick, Jr. of Memphis.

That would explain the official skepticism of his claim to be a member of al-Qaeda.

[cmsgop]

Great Question Paul, Im thinking, BIAS!

[oyez]

he says he hates America.

We can damn sure help him leave. We can scatter his ashes over Medina.

[bootless]

"Do what he sa-a-a-y! Do what he sa-a-a-ay!"

[Paul Atreides]

he says he hates America.

At least we know he's a Dimocrat.

[Paul Atreides]

Im thinking, BIAS!

From the Associated Press? Bite your tongue.

[cmsgop]

(hehe)

[Samwise]

Help me here: why the need to mention this?

Because they are trying to imply some sinister connection to the U.S. military. This is Bush's fault, afterall, and he is commander in chief. He lied to the American people. The military is evil. Yada, yada, yada.

[Jabba the Nutt]

"The gunman, believed to have a 9mm pistol - the calibre now used by US armed forces..."

Huh? And the connection is .....???

The word from Iraq is that the boys want their .45's back, the 9mm doesn't have enough stopping power on crazed jihadists. If I recall, the Army switched from .38's (the 9mm equivalent) during our last battle with crazed jihadists in the Phillipines a hundred years ago.

[mattdono]

In the note he says he hates America

Ok. Two words: Strike Team.

[mattdono]

The word from Iraq is that the boys want their .45's back

OH YEAH! Give 'em the .45's back. I have 2 .45s...those sum-b*tches are loud, but they will do the trick. In fact, I think that the noise alone is effective. Kind of like a pump-action shotgun. There is a certain something about that noise that means business.

[ALASKA]

...and heaven's population one higher.

I don't think so.

[gitmo]

Oh Lord, Help this man!

[gitmo]

[adamyoshida]

Not really. For all we know his real name is 'Muhammed Abdul Rashid'. The media likes to do this with Moslems.

The real tip-off that he isn't an al-Qaeda member is the fact that the people in there are still alive.

[in the Arena]

The gunman, believed to have a 9mm pistol - the calibre now used by US armed forces -

So what was the purpose of that trivia ?

[SAMWolf]

Negotiate this! Take the shot and quit wasting taxpayer money on "negotiations"

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

I hope he's not tenured.

LOL! Mu first thought too -- First day of "American Studies" (aka "Death to America" 101)!

[flamefront]

I suppose they are suggesting the US armed forces shouldn't have those dangerous weapons either. Some non sequitur like that is all I come up with.

[SAMWolf]

"No one moves or else..."