Arkansas - Possible Shooting at Democratic Party Headquarters in LR

arkansasmatters.com ^ | August 13, 2008

[HAL9000]

Shortly before noon Wednesday, a possible shooting was reported at the State Democratic Party Headquarters in Little Rock.

Dozens of police cars are on the scene at 1300 West Capitol, and at least one ambulance was seen leaving as KARK 4 crews arrived. MEMS ambulance officials confirm one person was transported to the hospital from the scene.

Shortly after noon, police were reported to be in pursuit of a suspect in the incident on a Little Rock interstate.

~ snip ~

[SE Mom]

Any word on whether the shooter is alive?

[Tennessee_Bob]

An affair regarding something military? Please do explain.

He broke the Party line and supports the troops?

[Domandred]

And Rush, Levin, Hannity, Savage

[calex59]

Because I thought he was an Obama supporter, why else would I say it? I don't have everyone in the dem party memorized as to their affiliations, plus I didn't read the comments on the thread before I posted.

Now, I am saying I hope it was a Democrat, whether an Obama supporter or a Clinton suppoter doesn't matter, as long as it wasn't some Republican, that is all we will hear about for weeks if it turns out to be a republican even if he acted on some motive other than political.

[WOBBLY BOB]

mixed martial arts maybe

[livius]

I doubt that it was politically motivated. It sounds more like a personal grudge, to me. Since Gwaltney apparently refused to see the man, who then forced his way in, it’s possible that he had some sort of history with this guy.

[drjimmy]

Wow, in 2004 when one of the Republican headquarters was shot at it hardly earned a mention in the papers, but they are all out on this one. Hope it turns out to be a Hillary supporter, which is the most likely possibility.

Wow, did the Republican headquarters survive the shooting? If it died, I agree that it certainly should have been as big a story as this one.

[Tatze]

Karen Ray, executive director of the Republican Party of Arkansas, sent her workers home early "out of an abundance of caution."

"Our hearts go out to everyone at the Democratic headquarters. What a tragedy," Ray said. "This is just a very upsetting, troubling and scary thing for our staff as well."

[Cold Heat]

Now, I am saying I hope it was a Democrat

It's pretty likely,because we have very few conservatives left. Very few indeed

[library user]

Here's a wire image of the scene:

Go here for the story.

** EXCERPT **

(CBS/ AP) A gunman entered the Arkansas Democratic Party headquarters Wednesday and shot the party chairman, who was hospitalized in critical condition, authorities said.

The gunman asked to speak to the party chairman, Bill Gwatney, and fired three shots at the office near the state Capitol.

"He came in and went into this office and started shooting," police Lt. Terry Hastings told reporters near the party headquarters.

Gwatney, a former legislator, was in critical condition, Hastings said. Party officials confirmed the victim was Gwatney.

The suspect was chased into Grant County, south of Little Rock, and apprehended after being shot, the police spokesman said. The suspect's condition and motive were not known.

Sarah Lee, a sales clerk at a flower shop across street from the party headquarters, said that around noon Gwatney's secretary ran into the shop and asked someone to call 911.

[Hawthorn]

> If it does turn out to be fatal, then the media will probably hold up this info until his family (wife, children?) have time to be notified and don’t have to hear about it on a car radio or TV. <

Similar to the situation when Tim Russert died. The media outlets knew almost right away. But with the exception of Tom Sullivan on Fox News Talk, they all seem to have held the news until Russert’s family could be notified.

(Sullivan blurted out the story ca. 45 minutes before other outlets, then must have been told not to mention it again — because immediately after spilling the beans, he simply kept telling his audience to stand by for “breaking news.”)

[Recovering_Democrat]

prayers for the family and man...

[library user]

First place I saw Russert died was on Drudge. And IIRC, the first post about it here referenced Drudge as being the source.

[calex59]

Wow, did the Republican headquarters survive the shooting? If it died, I agree that it certainly should have been as big a story as this one.

Are you really as stupid as you sound here? Regardless of whether anyone died or not, the fact that republican headquarters, were shot at, burned, and tires slashed on buses, not to mention the times when republican headquarters were just attacked and damaged in 2004 warranted more coverage than they received. Your rude idiotic come back was uncalled for and a sure indication of your IQ level which appears to be several levels below normal.

[HAL9000]

Gov. Beebe is with the Gwatney family at UAMS hospital, and is preparing a statement for the news media.

[Tatze]

Little Rock police Lt. Terry Hastings said that the victim was in critical condition at a hospital.

A vehicle description was provided to police, Hastings said, and officers chased the suspect into Grant County, about 20 miles south of Little Rock. Hastings said the suspect was shot and taken into custody, he said.

[library user]

...and is preparing a statement for the news media.

Doesn't sound good. More prayers up.

[eraser2005]

And there are plenty of people here already showing a similar pathetic response.... shameful...