Gunman on 101 Freeway overpass in Santa Barbara is arrested (Obama supporter)

LA Times ^ | 11/3/08 | Victoria Kim

[BurbankKarl]

A masked gunman who was waving an American flag on a freeway overpass in Santa Barbara was in police custody after an hours-long standoff that shut down the freeway in both directions and caused a rush-hour traffic snarl, officials said.

The man, 28-year-old Edward Van Tassel, first handed over his handgun to authorities and asked for a Barack Obama sign, which he posted on a chain-link fence on the overpass along with the flag he was holding, said Sgt. Lorenzo Duarte of the Santa Barbara Police Department.

The freeway was reopened shortly after the incident was resolved.

No shots were fired. The revolver Van Tassel was holding was not loaded, Duarte said. He was arrested by SWAT officers around 11 a.m. without incident.

Police used a megaphone to negotiate with Van Tassel, who was standing on the overpass on La Cumbre Road just a few miles north of downtown Santa Barbara, according to authorities.

Officers said Van Tassel, who is believed to be a Santa Barbara resident, appeared to be shouting antiwar statements.

Authorities said they received the report about a suspicious man on the overpass shortly after 7 a.m., Duarte said. Van Tassel was dressed in brown fatigues and had a black bag next to his feet, according to officials.

[johniegrad]

The man, 28-year-old Edward Van Tassel, first handed over his handgun to authorities and asked for a Barack Obama sign

Never bring an Obama sign to a gun fight.

[Centurion2000]

A masked gunman who was waving an American flag on a freeway overpass in Santa Barbara was in police custody after an hours-long standoff that shut down the freeway in both directions and caused a rush-hour traffic snarl, officials said.

Is it too much to ask for for these terrorists to be shot?

How many millions of man-hours did this guy just burn up in lost productivity?

[Califreak]

Another Dope on Hope.

[raptor29]

Note the guy is waving an ‘upside down’ American flag. So yep, definitely an Obama supporter. Cops should have just, well, I won’t say it.

[BurbankKarl]

It pretty much fouled up Santa Barbara all morning....

[Mr. Mojo]

asked for a Barack Obama sign, which he posted on a chain-link fence on the overpass

If he had instead asked for a McCain sign the L.A. Times headline would've read "Armed McCain/Palin supporter.........."

[ßuddaßudd]

Thanks Ed ! Your check is in the mail.

[mlocher]

Police used a megaphone to negotiate with Van Tassel

Another Obama supporter who is hard of hearing, or only hears what he wants to hear.

[BurbankKarl]

If you search his name, his dad died earlier this year....

[purplelobster]

Perhaps Van Tassell is a Distinguished Professor in which case he should be set free.

[volslover]

He didn’t get his daily sip of Kool Aide? glad no one was hurt, they would said mccain people did it

[R_Kangel]

"(Obama supporter)"

And therefore a non story.

[Soothesayer]

He probably did this to get Obama’s attention. He wants Obama to use his divine powers to raise father from the dead.

[Kviteseid]

The local TV (KEYT) was reporting him to be a Iraq vet who was trying to post anti-Obama comments.

We should have a recall election of Police for their lack of action this morning. Santa Barbara was a disaster!

[katiekins1]

Ovomit has started speaking Ebonics now...FCOL has he no shame? What a phony

[Libloather]

No shots were fired.

That's a shame...

[chopperman]

He is obviously disturbed. No respectful Obama supporter would dare touch an American flag.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

He figgered it was his last chance to own a firearm if his guy wins......

[Cindy]

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