US teen kills 8 people to be famous....

mani · 06-12-2007, 15:48

A teenager who shot dead eight people in a US shopping centre before killing himself wrote in a suicide note that he wanted to be famous. Robert Hawkins, 19, from Bellevue, Nebraska, opened fire at the Westroads Mall in Omaha on Wednesday.
A woman who took him in after he left home said he left a note saying he was sorry for everything and did not want to be a burden to anybody.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7130504.stm

blazey · 06-12-2007, 17:36

So much for not being a burden on anyone

couldnt have contradicted himself any greater really.

Bonnyboy · 06-12-2007, 22:05

I watched the Governor, the Mayor , the Police spokesman on the news today. They all expressed their heartfelt sadness for each victim and I have no reason to believe that they were not being genuine….. I bet nobody has shut down the local Gun shops. Guns and apple pie, the American way of life, unfortunately the UK is not all that far behind our US friends

cashman · 07-12-2007, 01:34

at least the "Pleb" had the decency to shoot himself n save the cost of a trial.

LancYorkYankee · 07-12-2007, 02:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonnyboy

I watched the Governor, the Mayor , the Police spokesman on the news today. They all expressed their heartfelt sadness for each victim and I have no reason to believe that they were not being genuine….. I bet nobody has shut down the local Gun shops. Guns and apple pie, the American way of life, unfortunately the UK is not all that far behind our US friends

I wasn't aware that the local Gun Shops had sold this psycho guns illegally. It's then truly an outrage that the said illegally selling shop is not shut down. What exactly was the name of the shop that sold the guns to this guy illegally Bonnyboy?

It's just not right that you guys get this information over there and I haven't heard about this illegal activity as of yet. Stinkin' American media.

Neil · 07-12-2007, 07:59

I think you have taken him the wrong way mate. I think he was suggesting that the guns shops should be shut down.

People over here had this stupid idea about reducing gun crime. They banned all hand guns (except black powder). The result was a massive expense to the taxpayer and gun crime has soared ever since.

I think we should reverse that stupid and pointless idea and revoke that stupid law. There is nothing wrong with hand guns. If some crackpot wants to kill people their is a million ways without using a gun.

LancYorkYankee · 07-12-2007, 12:58

Yeah, I know Neil. Just irks me when people put the blame where it doesn't belong. This kid stole the gun from his Step-father. The "gun shops" had nothing to do with it.

They rarely do. It's more typically people not properly securing their guns.Drives me crazy that these people knew this kid had problems and he still was somehow able to steal a high powered rifle. Now, to me, that is the worst part and is just plain crazy! Just my opinion.

mani · 07-12-2007, 16:42

i know its not the step father's fault but why keep a gun in the same household as someone unstable?

LancYorkYankee · 07-12-2007, 18:13

The kid had supposedly been kicked out of the house and hadn't lived there for awhile. Regardless, you're right Mani, this gun should have been either in parts unknown to the murderer or much better secured (IMO).

Brian

cashman · 07-12-2007, 19:39

guns are too much, part of a way of life in the usa, for my liking, to easily obtainable, wether the fact it should have been secured or not.the fact that they are, is certainly a contributery factor in these tragedys to me.

steeljack · 08-12-2007, 09:22

from todays edition of the New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/08/us...qQ&oref=slogin
from what I read the kid had problems , should someome have picked thm up ? . probably , but who ........................

Bonnyboy · 08-12-2007, 11:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by LancYorkYankee

I wasn't aware that the local Gun Shops had sold this psycho guns illegally. It's then truly an outrage that the said illegally selling shop is not shut down. What exactly was the name of the shop that sold the guns to this guy illegally Bonnyboy?

It's just not right that you guys get this information over there and I haven't heard about this illegal activity as of yet. Stinkin' American media.

I wasn’t suggesting that there was any illegality about how this chap obtained the weapon, just passing comment on how freely available guns are. Was it a contributory factor ? I think so. I imagine someone like yourself who lives in the USA is bound to have more insight into this issue. I guess that whether there are strict gun laws or not, if someone is intent on obtaining a firearm then they will do so.

LancYorkYankee · 08-12-2007, 19:27

Yeah, bonnyboy well said. I apologize for my little tirade aimed at you earlier. It is such a tough issue for this here American. I feel so very sick when this stuff happens. However, I never put the blame on Gun shops who adhere to the law and usually not on those majority of citizens who properly secure their firearms.

First, I would have to say (IMO) most americans do not have or use guns. Most criminals obtain their guns on the blackmarket or by stealing them . . . ya know, just not up for this now . . it's so hard to bring a proper balance to the thought on this issue, especially to people outside the country.

It's just we're not all a bunch of Bubbas, John Waynians, Mafiosos, Gangstas, psycho killers (ques ce se), etc.. I believe the world does not see it this way though!

mallard · 08-12-2007, 19:35

Yes i realy think that was realy sad,but if he did not turn the gun on him self is life would have been hell and he would have had to live with that for the rest of is life.

LancYorkYankee · 08-12-2007, 23:39

Yeah, but the thing is he wanted to go out in a blaze of glory. Where was the glory in killing and maiming so many perfectly innocent people. If he truly wished a Blaze of Glory death, why not attack a military installation or something. Or better yet, do a "High Noon" scene by letting the local swat team meet him in some far off field for target practice!!!!!