Post by onomatopoeia on Aug 26, 2015 11:08:09 GMT -5
This is so terrible. omg.
The thought that there was likely extended family and friends of the victims who found out their loved ones had been killed via auto-play video on facebook, twitter, cnn or another news station is awful to think of.
Post by fortnightlily on Aug 26, 2015 11:10:33 GMT -5
So awful.
On another note -- am I the only one who finds it weird that every reporting on a shooting these days has to clarify that "authorities do not suspect terrorism"? That word has lost all meaning, as has our perspective on public violence.
The thought that there was likely extended family and friends of the victims who found out their loved ones had been killed via auto-play video on facebook, twitter, cnn or another news station is awful to think of.
Oh God. We have discussed finding out major things about your loved ones on Facebook before and "normal" things are bad enough. The fact that some of the victims' loved ones were bound to have found out this way since there are videos auto-playing all over the place is absolutely heartbreaking and disgusting.
Post by Velvetshady on Aug 26, 2015 12:29:09 GMT -5
DH called asking me to check websites for info because he is caught in the traffic resulting from the self-inflicted gunshot/crash and wants info--I refuse because I'm not risking seeing the video/pictures by accident. It sounds like the crash is right where our road crosses under I66.
Post by EloiseWeenie on Aug 26, 2015 13:34:02 GMT -5
I'm heartbroken for their loved ones. Alison Parker worked at my local station for a couple years. WCTI had a very emotional tribute during the noon show.
A man claiming to be Bryce Williams called ABC News over the last few weeks, saying he wanted to pitch a story, and wanted to fax information. He never told ABC News what the story was.
This morning, a fax was in the machine (time stamped 8:26 a.m.) almost two hours after the shooting. A little after 10 a.m., he called again, and introduced himself as Bryce, but also said his legal name was Vester Lee Flanagan, and that he shot two people this morning. While on the phone, he said authorities are “after me,” and “all over the place.” He hung up. ABC News contacted the authorities immediately and provided them with the fax.
In the 23-page document faxed to ABC News, the writer says “MY NAME IS BRYCE WILLIAMS” and his legal name is Vester Lee Flanagan II.” He writes what triggered today’s carnage was his reaction to the racism of the Charleston church shooting:
“Why did I do it? I put down a deposit for a gun on 6/19/15. The Church shooting in Charleston happened on 6/17/15…”
“What sent me over the top was the church shooting. And my hollow point bullets have the victims’ initials on them."
It is unclear whose initials he is referring to. He continues, “As for Dylann Roof? You (deleted)! You want a race war (deleted)? BRING IT THEN YOU WHITE …(deleted)!!!” He said Jehovah spoke to him, telling him to act.
Later in the manifesto, the writer quotes the Virginia Tech mass killer, Seung Hui Cho, calls him “his boy,” and expresses admiration for the Columbine High School killers. “Also, I was influenced by Seung–Hui Cho. That’s my boy right there. He got NEARLY double the amount that Eric Harris and Dylann Klebold got…just sayin.'"
In an often rambling letter to the authorities, and family and friends, he writes of a long list of grievances. In one part of the document, Williams calls it a “Suicide Note for Friends and Family."
He says has suffered racial discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying at work He says he has been attacked by black men and white females He talks about how he was attacked for being a gay, black man
“Yes, it will sound like I am angry...I am. And I have every right to be. But when I leave this Earth, the only emotion I want to feel is peace....”
“The church shooting was the tipping point…but my anger has been building steadily...I’ve been a human powder keg for a while…just waiting to go BOOM!!!!”
Right. So let's lock up all the people instead of getting rid of guns. Why can't people see this idiot rationale takes all control out of solving the situation; basically recommending KOKO, while failing to do a freaking thing to try & do anything to fix this horrendous issue?!? *sorry I took the quote w/in the post & want to make sure it's clear that assumedelias was similarly hating on this idiotic quote; I'm agreeing with her.
He's doing it in revenge for Charleston but he also has a problem with black men and, it sounds like, everyone else? I think there are much deeper issues in play here.
He's doing it in revenge for Charleston but he also has a problem with black men and, it sounds like, everyone else? I think there are much deeper issues in play here.
I'll take "untreated mental illness" for $500 Alex.
Post by shanbrite2 on Aug 26, 2015 15:35:42 GMT -5
I admit I haven't read the rest of this thread (I just can't) but I did have a moment with my MIL that I was amazed by. I told her about the shooting because she lives in a bubble, we talked about it briefly (mainly, why? How? The unanswerables) and I said, well basically statistics and we have the most lax gun laws in the world. She is a huge huge NRA supporter, and she said, "well yes, but I don't want to give up my guns." And I said "well your selfishness is causing the deaths of multiple people every day." And she said, "Yes." Holy shit!
I was amazed she admitted it! Will it change her opinions? I highly doubt it, but maybe it will get her to see that her beliefs and actions directly impact the lives of others.