A man driving a motorized shopping cart shot an Anchorage Walmart assistant manager during a dispute over the man's unrestrained dog on a busy Saturday afternoon inside the Midtown store, police said.
Police arrested the suspect minutes later. Medics rushed the victim, a man shot once in his midsection, to a hospital in stable condition, police said. The store was not shut down, a police sergeant said, and business continued as usual minutes later, with many shoppers unaware a shooting had taken place.
Police later identified the shooter as Daniel Pirtle, 45. The victim, Jason Mahi, 33, was in surgery Saturday afternoon, a police spokeswoman said.
Pirtle, a double amputee with metal, prosthetic legs, came into Walmart with his service dog not on a leash, police Sgt. Cameron Hokenson said.
Mahi is an assistant manager at the store, according to Walmart. He asked the man to leave, police said.
"There was some kind of dispute," Hokenson said. "They were escorting him out of the store and something happened on the way out where the suspect pulled out a weapon and shot the employee."
A man driving a motorized shopping cart in Wal-Mart shoots a store employee because he is not controlling his dog? Hard to believe this happened in Anchorage.
Wasilla, sure. But Anchorage?
Now not to sound hypocritical but I do more or less give a pass to people carrying guns in Alaska. After all we are constantly surrounded by various large carnivores that would indeed devour us if given the chance, so carrying a gun for protections does not necessarily mean that this guy was "compensating" or anything.
The off-duty sergeant and police officers arriving in about a dozen police cruisers caught Pirtle near the front entrance to the store, Hokenson said. Officers put him in handcuffs and took a handgun from him, said Wayne Toovak, a witness.
"It was a big, long gun," Toovak said.
I stand corrected.
Army Sgt. Carlos Morales was almost more troubled by the store's reaction to the shooting than to the shooting itself:
Morales said it upset him that the store's employees did not do more to warn other shoppers, many of them with children and oblivious to what had happened. Nobody knew if the suspect was still in the store or if he was dangerous, Morales said.
"Some people were frantic. Some people were just shopping, because they didn't know," he said. "We didn't know if it was a live shooter, going crazy shooting up the store. ... You can't just continue checking people out, like everything is normal."
Welcome to Wal-Mart.
I actually do not shop in Wal-Mart anymore because it is the one place on earth that actually makes me question the validity of Darwinian Evolution.
And if anybody was EVER going to be shot by a man sitting in a motorized shopping cart, where else do we think it would be? Wal-Mart.
Good grief. WTF is wrong with these people? Maybe a bear should have snacked on the guy before he had a chance to shoot the employee.
ReplyDeleteSo I take it Wal-Mart has no contigency plan for a violent disaster? Just keep shopping---huh?
I haven't been in a Wal-Mart since 2002 and don't expect to ever enter one again. Its like handing your money over to evil.
Now not to sound hypocritical but I do more or less give a pass to people carrying guns in Alaska. After all we are constantly surrounded by various large carnivores that would indeed devour us if given the chance
Delete*****
Come on G like a Grizzly bear in the walmart parking lot? Maybe a stuffed one at the airport.
This guy is a ASSHOLE, his dog should be on a leash even IF it is a service dog.
Anchorage is like any-other city only with nice mountains and maybe a moose running around on the outskirts.
These people carry guns b/c their ASSHOLES!
Interesting quote from the comments:
Delete"How do so many guns go off by accident & without human involvement? Does the gun decide by itself that it wishes to fire without asking permission? I didn't think that was possible. So many articles state, if I may paraphrase, "the man was cleaning his gun when it fired..." So shooting accidents have nothing to do with the actions of the handler of the weapon? I guess guns DO kill people..."
Matthew Dowd Compares CPAC to Flintstones, Palin to Kardashians: Check the video
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nationalreview.com/corner/343202/dowd-compares-cpac-iflintstonesi-palin-kardashians-daniel-foster
Karl Rove Mocks Sarah Palin Tenure As Governor
ReplyDeletehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/17/karl-rove-sarah-palin_n_2895684.html
This is Wal-Mart. Even if there had been a full-blown shooting rampage they probably have an SOP that requires "loss control" specialists to stop and inspect receipts at the doors in case of a mass exit.
ReplyDeleteCNN is really outdoing itself in SUPPORT of men and rape. Sickening. The way they are covering this should be journalistically punished by whoever does that sort of thing. Disgusting that even the women are taking this angle.
ReplyDeleteCNN's Steubenville Coverage Focuses On Effect Rape Trial Will Have On Rapists, Not Victim
...In a Sunday afternoon segment, anchor Fredricka Whitfield followed the straight news of the guilty verdict (which she described as rape occurring "after a night of heavy partying") by showing the rapists' parents' weeping in court. Footage of Richmond, his mother and father offering emotional appeals to the victim's family dominated the segment.
Whitfield threw the story to reporter Poppy Harlow, but not before reiterating that Mays and Richmond's "family members tried their hardest to plead for some forgiveness from the victim's family, as well as from the judge."
To her credit, Harlow appeared to try and correct the segment's tone: "That's true Fredricka," she said of the tears of the convicted rapist's families, "but this is an incredibly serious crime, it's the crime of rape."
And yet, the effects of the rape on the victim seemed to be an afterthought: "It was incredibly emotional, it was difficult for anyone in there to watch those boys break down," Harlow said. "[It was] also difficult, of course, for the victim's family."
"Also difficult, of course?"
more video
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kia-makarechi/cnn-steubenville-coverage_b_2896948.html
Sources have told The New York Post that Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s days at “The View” are numbered, despite Barbara Walters saying otherwise.
ReplyDeleteIt was recently reported that Hasselbeck is getting ousted from the show because her conservative views clashed with the audience. Speaking on air, Walters later insisted that there were “no plans for Elisabeth to leave this show.” The rumors came on the heels of Joy Behar’s announcement that she will leave the show when her contract is up in August.
The New York Post reported on Saturday, however, that “The View” does plan to get rid of Hasselbeck. Sources told the newspaper that ABC wanted to “freshen” the show in the face of flagging ratings.
“Dumping Joy Behar, who was there 16 years, and Hasselbeck would be the fastest way to do it, they decided,” a source said. “After giving Behar the bad news last week and letting her bow out gracefully, someone leaked the Hasselbeck thing. Some enemies she has on the show saw their chance to get back at her. Barbara was spitting mad that it got mishandled, and called off the firing over [last] weekend.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/17/elisabeth-hasselbeck-view-fired-rumors_n_2895590.html?ref=topbar
Actually....a question....my wife watches Alaskan State Troopers....and marvels at the self-control and politeness of the troopers....is that a correct portrayal.....?
ReplyDeleteNo one willing to chime in..?
DeleteCNN Reports Steubenville Verdict With Disgusting Pro-Rapist Bias
ReplyDeleteWho knew that CNN was pro-rape? The former cable news leader could not contain their sorrow over the fact that the two Steubenville football players who raped a teenage girl have had their lives ruined.
CROWLEY: Again, this case was played out in juvenile court, that is why there was a judge, no jury. He decided on the verdict, as well as, you heard there, talking about the sentence.
We want to go now to CNN’s Poppy Harlow. She is in Steubenville, and has been covering this trial.
I cannot imagine having just watched this on the feed coming in. How emotional that must have been sitting in the courtroom.
POPPY HARLOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I’ve never experienced anything like it, Candy. It was incredibly emotional — incredibly difficult even for an outsider like me to watch what happened as these two young men that had such promising futures, star football players, very good students, literally watched as they believe their life fell apart.
One of — one of the young men, Ma’lik Richmond, when that sentence came down, he collapsed. He collapsed in the arms of his attorney, Walter Madison. He said to me, “My life is over. No one is going to want me now.”
Very serious crime here. Both found guilty of raping this 16- year-old girl at a series of parties back in August, alcohol-fueled parties. Alcohol is a huge part in this.
But Trent Mays was also found guilty on a second count and that is of felony illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material because he took a photograph of the victim laying naked on the floor that night. Trent Mays will serve two years in a juvenile detention facility. Ma’lik Richmond will serve one year on that one count that he was found guilty for.
I want to let our viewers listen because for the first time in this entire trial we have now heard from the two young men. Trent Mays stood up, apologizing to the victim’s family in court. After him, Ma’lik Richmond.
Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRENT MAYS, FOUND GUILTY OF RAPINGIN JUVENILE COURT: I would really like to apologize to (INAUDIBLE), her family, my family and community. No pictures should have been sent out or should be taken. That’s all. Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anything you’d like to say, Ma’lik?
MA’LIK RICHMOND, FOUND GUILTY OF RAPE IN JUVENILE COURT: I would like to apologize. I had no intention to do anything like that and I’m sorry to put you guys through this. (INAUDIBLE) I’m sorry.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARLOW: I was sitting about three feet from Ma’lik when he gave that statement. It was very difficult to watch.
You know, something that came up throughout this sentencing. Ma’lik’s father had gotten up and spoke. Ma’lik has been living with guardians. His father, a former alcoholic, gotten to a lot of trouble with the law, been in prison before.
ReplyDeleteAnd his father stood up and he told the court, “I feel responsible for this. I feel like I wasn’t there for my son.” And before that, he came over to the bench where his son was sitting. He approached him, he hugged him and whispered in his ear.
And Ma’lik’s attorney said to us in a courtroom, I have never heard Ma’lik’s father before say, I love you. He’s never told his son that. But he just did today.
This was an incredibly emotional day. These two juveniles being carried out and they will be committed today, Candy.
Those poor, poor teenage boys who raped a 16 year old girl. According to CNN, we should feel sympathy for the rapists because their lives are ruined. Here’s a thought. Their lives wouldn’t have been ruined if they didn’t rape someone.
CNN was sure to mention the impact of the verdict on the two football players, but they didn’t mention that the victim had her life ruined too. As the victim of a violent sexual attack, she will potentially carry trauma and injuries with her the rest of her life.
Two boys may never get to play organized football again, but a teenage girl will be dealing with what happened that night forever. The football players are being punished for the crimes that they committed.
CNN is sad for the rapists who got caught, not the innocent girl who was raped.
more
http://www.politicususa.com/cnn-reports-steubenville-verdict-disgusting-pro-rapist-bias.html
They URINATED on her! No decency. No morals. Sad now, well MAY THIS BE A LIFE LESSON BOYS! How about this: respect others, as you would want for yourselves.
DeleteOK to ruin her life, her family's so long as they had bragging rights. Sick boys at 16. Too bad they are not locked up for longer.
DeleteI have considered CNN as Fox News Lite for years, perhaps you can see why it is just that.
ReplyDeleteHasselbeck ‘Is Toast’ At The View Just A Week After Walters Said Opposite, According To Report
ReplyDeleteThe New York Post is reporting that it’s pretty much over for Elisabeth Hasselbeck as a host of The View even after Barbara Walters said a week ago that such talk was nonsense.
http://www.mediaite.com/online/hasselbeck-is-toast-at-the-view-just-a-week-after-walters-said-opposite-according-to-report/
They STILL think it's their marketing and 'brand' that is making them lose...no recognition of their neanderthal ideas, their backward, racist, misogynistic stances, their ignorant support of dumbed down education...no they think it's all in the slick packaging and marketing slogans. What rubes.
ReplyDelete----------
GOP boss Reince Priebus told Bob Schieffer on Face The Nation that his party has a serious branding problem and they are struggling to deal with it. The Republicans have conducted extensive market research and have developed a plan that will eventually restore their brand according to Priebus.
“We’ve have done a really lousy job of branding and marketing who we are,” said Priebus, after reviewing the results of a large scale survey the party conducted that showed people thought the GOP was full of stuff old guys and too focused on “math”.
Priebus said the party is launching a $10 million national marketing and branding campaign to reshape the way people view the party. They plan on going to college campuses to civic associations and even minority organization to conduct outreach.
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/gops-reince-priebus-we-have-done-a-lousy-job-of-branding-and-marketing-who-we-are/
What the GOP does not understand is that it's not about "branding." It is about substance and the fact that, at heart, not one Republican politician in this country cares at all about the country.
DeleteBeaglemom
The GOP must think we the people are too stupid to care about substance over slick advertising. What an insult.
DeleteSouth Carolina bill would make it illegal for doctors to discuss gun safety with their patients
ReplyDeleteSome 57 House lawmakers have signed on to a bill that would make it illegal for doctors to discuss gun safety with their patients.
The bill has stunned some doctors, especially pediatricians, who say they do talk with patients about safety steps to be taken when there’s a gun in the household, to make sure a child isn’t accidentally shot. Besides, they say, they are guaranteed free speech under the First Amendment, just as gun owners have gun rights under the Second Amendment.
“They (gun rights supporters) are trying to get Big Government to come in and dictate what we can and cannot say, while at the same time, they are trying to tell Big Government to stay out of their right to own guns,” said Dr. Deborah Greenhouse, a Columbia pediatrician who is president of the S.C. Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
In the past 10 years, Greenhouse said, two children who were patients of her pediatric group’s practice were killed in home gun accidents that might have been prevented if more safety procedures had been in place. Since then, she said, she has made it a point to ask patients if guns are in the home and, if the answer is yes, to review a safety checklist.
“No one has ever taken offense, and numerous people have thanked me,” she said. “Many families aren’t aware of all the safety procedures I discuss. And you wouldn’t believe how many children know where their parents’ guns are.”
That’s exactly the kind of doctor-patient conversation that a bill by Rep. Joshua Putnam, R-Anderson, would outlaw in South Carolina.
“We don’t want citizens to feel like they are going to be intruded upon whenever they go to a physician,” Putnam said in an interview last week.
Under Putnam’s bill, except in relevant emergency situations, doctors would not be able to ask patients if they have guns. Since many gun safety discussions originate with that question, the bill could stop doctors from initiating conversations about safety.
The reason for the bill, Putnam said, is that he’s trying to protect doctors from any future federal law that might force them to ask patients about gun ownership.
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2013/03/17/2680158/sc-clash-between-gun-rights-pediatricians.html#storylink=cpy
3D-printed gun maker now has federal firearms license to manufacture, deal guns
On Saturday, Defense Distributed—America’s best-known group of 3D gunsmiths—announced on Facebook that its founder, Cody Wilson, now has a federal license to be a gun manufacturer and dealer. The group published a picture of the Type 7 federal firearms license (FFL) to prove it.
“The big thing it allows me to do is that it makes me manufacture under the law—everything that manufacturers are allowed to do,” he told Ars. “I can sell some of the pieces that we've been making. I can do firearms transactions and transport.”
Wilson and his colleagues have been making prototypes of guns for months now. Most recently, the group demonstrated an AR-15 semi-automatic, which is allowed under American law without a license. The legal difference now is Wilson can distribute the guns that he makes and sell them, too.
Earlier this month Wilson told Ars that he had submitted the application to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (a division of the Department of Justice) back in October 2012. The process can take as little as 60 days, but in this case it took around six months.
more
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/03/3d-printed-gunmaker-now-has-federal-firearms-license-to-manufacture-deal-guns/
We had a similar incident near us. A man walked in to Dick's Sporting Goods, went to the gun section and pulled out a gun, ordering the clerk to unlock and hand over a rifle. After a standoff where the man barricaded himself in a rest room, the police found him with a self inflicted gun shot wound to the head.
ReplyDeleteThe man has a history of mental illness.
I have not set foot in a Walmart for many years, but the fact that they allowed clients to continue shopping is just beyond the pale. There should have been some emergency plan in place to get people out safely, but even without that, the LEAST they could have done was pull the fire alarms.
I guess they were afraid to lose business and or merchandise at any cost, even the life of their customers and workers.
I just had a fleeting image of what might happen if the customers in that Walmart heard a warning of an armed shopper: nearly everybody present would pull out a gun and start shooting. Just like how bar room brawls happen.
DeleteCan't disagree with the point that if a guy on a motorized scooter is going to shoot somebody.....it's going to certainly be in a Wal-Mart.
ReplyDeleteI'm at peace with any lingering guilt of snobbery, regarding my avoidance of Wally World.
False equivalency, in a nutshell.
ReplyDeleteAnd why did the man shoot the store employee who was escorting him out? Because he was afraid for his life and needed to defend himself?
ReplyDeleteNo - it was likely because he was pissed off, and he had a gun, and people who are pissed of and have access to guns tend to use them in situations when they lose emotional control.
A good argument for keeping powerful guns out of the hands of idiots.
"And if anybody was EVER going to be shot by a man sitting in a motorized shopping cart, where else do we think it would be? Wal-Mart. "
ReplyDeleteyep. that place is full of desperate nutbags.
Walmart, eh?
ReplyDeleteNever been.
What do they sell there?